We got the Battle of Phoenix tonight with Arizona State against Grand Canyon, Bobby Hurley against Bryce Drew. I like what I saw that Arizona State in both games they played on the road winning at Santa Clara and losing by 8 at Gonzaga covering both spreads. Grand Canyon played two teams at home and didn't cover the spread against either of them. They won by two over Western Kentucky and by 10 over Cal State Fullerton. I noticed right away about Grand Canyon that they shoot only 43% and Arizona State is holding opponents to 38%. The defense is more advanced for Arizona State right now. ASU to win.

A win over Santa Clara in Henderson and then pushing Gonzaga on Sunday suggests Bobby Hurley's ASU might not be overmatched in its Big 12 debut. There's experience in the backcourt, as transfers BJ Freeman (14 ppg; via Milwaukee) and Alston Mason (13 ppg; via Mizzou State) have excelled in previous stops and are providing leadership along with holdover G Adam Miller, while 6-9 Ball State transfer Basheer Jihad netted 22 at Gonzaga. Various touted frosh, like 6-9 Jayden Quaintance, are also making increasing contributions. Well-regarded GCU gets leading returning scorer Tyon Grant-Foster (20.1 ppg LY) back to active duty tonight after missing the first two games, but the ASU effort against the Zags suggests they stay with the Lopes. Play ASU (at Footprint Center)