Arizona State vs West Virginia Prediction and Preview

Read more for a full Arizona State vs West Virginia prediction and preview.

The road trip in the Eastern time zone continues for the Sun Devils, as they take on the Mountaineers on Tuesday night. It will be the first ever matchup between the two sides.

General Information:

Teams: Arizona State (10-7, 1-5 Big 12) and No. 23 West Virginia (13-4, 4-2 Big 12)

Tip Time: 9 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS Sports Network

Listen: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP)

Latest on West Virginia basketball:

The Mountaineers have started Big 12 play on the winning end, reaching almost heaven last Saturday in their 64-57 home win over No. 3 Iowa State. The win propelled them back into the AP Top 25.

“It’s obviously a big win for us and our program,” West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries told reporters after the game. “I think the world of Iowa State. I think they’re one of the best teams in the country and they have a chance to play on that last day.

West Virginia has the Big 12’s leading scorer on his team in Javon Small. The senior guard starred on Saturday with 27 points, including 12 in a row, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Before his stops in East Carolina and Oklahoma State, Small went to AZ Compass Prep, roughly 20 minutes away from Arizona State.

DeVries have seen various players step into the starting role after his son, Tucker, was ruled out for the season with an upper body injury. The senior guard/forward averaged 14.9 points. Sophomore forward Amani Hansberry is the third Mountaineer averaging double figures, posting 12 points against the Cyclones.

West Virginia, like Cincinnati, boasts one of the best defenses in the conference, allowing 63.8 points per game. It also has the nation’s eighth-best defensive rating according to KenPom. The Sun Devils were held to 60 against a Bearcats side that averages 60.6 points per game.

Latest on Arizona State basketball:

The Maroon and Gold are currently on a four-game losing streak, which continued last Saturday with a 67-60 road defeat to Cincinnati. The Bearcats led 36-22 at halftime, withstanding the second half surge from the visitors.

Three Sun Devils landed in double figures, with freshman forward Jayden Quaintance leading the way with his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Alston Mason and BJ Freeman once again were steadfast in the backcourt with 13 points and 12 points respectfully.

However, Saturday afternoon proved strenuous for Arizona State’s starters, who saw the court for at least 33 minutes. Despite running a seven-man rotation, both bench players, freshman guard/forward Amier Ali and junior center Shawn Phillips played a combined 15 minutes.

Bobby Hurley’s side will look to pick up a Quad 1 win or two this week to bolster their chances of making the NCAA tournament. They were not in CBB Review’s latest bracketology.

Arizona State vs West Virginia prediction: Mountaineers by 12

This Sun Devils side continues to be shorthanded and fatigued, which may hurt them against the Mountaineers. Small should make an impact early and often against an opposition that struggled facing the fast break last week. However, do not be surprised if the home side is startled early, still riding high from Saturday’s upset win.