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 Six players led the Wildcats in scoring at least once this season,
and seven players scored in double figures Thursday in Arizona's
91-68 rout of in-state rival Arizona State.
"We have a group of guys who play with a lot of energy, a lot of
effort, and are willing to share the ball," Arizona coach Sean
Miller said.
Guard Nick Johnson scored 17 points, and forward Aaron Gordon had 16
for Arizona (18-0, 5-0). The Wildcats extended the best start in
school history and remained one of three undefeated teams in NCAA
Division I.
"As we've said a ton, we're unselfish," said Arizona guard T.J.
McConnell, who had 10 points, six assists and three steals.
"Everyone's unselfish, not just one guy.
"We can score at any position. That's what makes us dangerous. When
we're unselfish like that and getting it to the big guys, I think
we're pretty tough to stop."
Center Kaleb Tarczewski had 12 points, reserve forward Rondae
Hollis-Jefferson contributed 11, and three other Wildcats scored 10
points as Arizona closed within one game of tying the longest
winning streak in school history.
The rout was on early. Arizona built a 26-8 lead 11 minutes into the
game, as Arizona State (13-5, 2-3) missed 15 of its first 17
field-goal attempts. The Sun Devils never were closer than 19 points
in the final 10 minutes.
"We had to come out strong," Johnson said. "It was a rivalry game,
and we knew it was going to be intense regardless of the records. We
didn't want to give them any false hopes of trying to come back or
anything."
Guard Jahii Carson scored 20 points to lead Arizona State, which
played without second-leading scorer Jermaine Marshall, who suffered
a groin injury in practice earlier in the week. Marshall, a senior
guard who transferred from Penn State, is averaging 15.6 points a
game.
"I was attacking like I normally do, but it is a little bit easier
when he is out there hitting 3s and they have to contest his jumpers
and he is able to make plays himself," said Carson who shot 7-for-19
from the field.
"It's really tough when he is averaging 15, 16 points a game and he
can't get that."
Arizona limited Arizona State to 34 percent shooting from the floor
and posted a 39-30 rebounding advantage. The Wildcats entered the
week seventh in NCAA Division I in rebound margin at plus-10.7.
"You look at the results they are posting night in and night out,
(and) it wasn't a surprise, only a confirmation," Arizona State
coach Herb Sendek said. "They are very well-balanced, and their size
is a factor."
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Tarczewski and Hollis-Jefferson had eight rebounds
each, and
Gordon had six for the Wildcats.
McConnell made two of three 3-point field goals after tying his
career high with five 3-pointers in a 73-53 victory over USC on
Sunday.
"I feel people don't respect my shot," McConnell said. "I
haven't taken a lot of outside shots this year, but I worked
hard this summer and I have confidence in it. If they back off,
I'm going to shoot it."
Sun Devils reserve guard Bo Barnes scored 13 points, making
three 3-pointers, and forward Shaquielle McKissic had 10 points.
Arizona State center Jordan Bachynski, the NCAA leader in
blocked shots, swatted three more to give him 81 for the season.
Arizona went on a 16-3 run to take an 18-point lead midway
through the first half, when Arizona State went 6:30 without a
point and almost eight minutes without a basket. Tarczewski had
two baskets and guard Gabe York and McConnell hit 3-pointers in
the Wildcats' run.
Johnson sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 31-12
lead with 7:12 remaining in the half, giving him 1,000 career
points. He is the 48th player in school history to reach that
plateau.
"It feel good to be a part of that group here at Arizona,"
Johnson said.
Tarczewski's follow on the next possession gave Arizona a
21-point lead, its largest of the half.
Arizona State got within 14 at halftime but never came closer
than 15 in the second half.
NOTES: Arizona freshman F Aaron Gordon was selected the 2013 USA
Basketball male athlete of the year Tuesday. He was the MVP of
Team USA's FIBA U19 championship squad. ... F Brandan Kearney, a
semester-eligible transfer from Michigan State, started in place
of Arizona State G Jermaine Marshall. Kearney scored three
points. ... Arizona State fell to 1-8 against No. 1 teams, with
the lone win a 87-67 decision over Oregon State on March 7,
1981. That Arizona State team, which featured future NBA players
Byron Scott, Alton Lister and Lafayette Lever, was ranked No. 5
at the time.
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