The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Sunday, March 4, 3:30 p.m. (ET)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Wells Fargo Arena (14,198) -- Tempe, Arizona. Television: FSN. Home Record: Arizona 14-3, Arizona State 6-10. Away Record: Arizona 6-3, Arizona State 2-7. Neutral Record: Arizona 1-3, Arizona State 1-3. Conference Record: Arizona 12-5, Arizona State 5-12. Series Record: Arizona leads 142-79.

GAMES NOTES: The Arizona Wildcats make the short trip to Tempe for a matchup with in-state rival Arizona State at Wells Fargo Arena in the regular-season finale for both squads.

Arizona has won back-to-back games and seven of its last eight to improve its conference record to 12-5 which is currently a half game behind Oregon for third in the conference.

History lends itself in favor of Arizona which owns an 142-79 all-time advantage against its in-state rivals after a 68-51 rout earlier this year which was the third straight in the series for the Wildcats.

Arizona State has really struggled this season both in and out of conference play. The Sun Devils are just 9-20 overall this year including a 5-12 mark in the Pac-12, despite ending a four-game losing streak with a 56-52 win over last place USC last time out.

Senior Kyle Fogg lifted the Wildcats against UCLA last Saturday playing in his final home game. Fogg scored 20 points, 16 of which came in the second half, as the Wildcats edged the Bruins 65-63 despite shooting a paltry 38.3 percent from the floor.

Fogg's efforts kept a strong senior campaign going as the guard is leading the team in scoring (13.2 ppg) and has scored in double figures in eight straight games entering play. Other options after Fogg are both in the frontline with forwards Solomon Hills (12.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and Jessee Perry (11.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg). Both are capable of scoring in bunches, while making significant contributions on the glass. The pair combined for 29 points and 12 rebounds against UCLA and were the only other players in double figures. In a conference filled with strong offensive teams, Arizona is middle of the road at 69.8 points per game. The Wildcats have been able to give themselves a chance to win most games by allowing only 62.4 points per game.

Arizona State's last outing came down to the wire, as Chris Colvin converted a three-point play with 19.4 seconds remaining to seal the game. The Sun Devils were a respectable. 46.2 percent from the field, but had more than twice as may turnovers as the Trojans (15-7) to allow USC to hang around.

Unlike Arizona, the Sun Devils are not a successful offensive team at a meager 60.0 points per game. The Sun Devils' shooting percentage this year isn't abysmal (.453) and although the team's scoring differential (-5.2) is far from ideal, the defensive effort hasn't been atrocious, surrendering 65.2 points per game. Arizona State will be looking forward to a return of Carrick Felix (10.1 ppg) in this matchup after the junior guard missed last week's game with USC due to illness. Felix is the second leading scorer on the team behind Trent Lockett. Lockett (13.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg) posted 11 points against USC and has scored in double figures in five of six games after missing six contests due to injury earlier in the season.

A rivalry like this means both teams will have a little bit more to play for regardless of the standings. However, the Wildcats are just a much stronger team at both ends and with their ability to dominate in the post, they should end the season on a high note.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arizona 78, Arizona State 69

03/04 10:37:06 ET