Miller Set to Play as ASU Faces Arizona in Rivalry Showdown

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona State guard Adam Miller is cleared to play in the highly anticipated game against the Arizona Wildcats on Tuesday night, with both teams looking to bolster their standings in the Pac-12 conference.

Miller entered the game with uncertainty surrounding his availability due to a hip pointer sustained last Wednesday. He had to leave the game early after taking a few hard hits, returning briefly to score 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. However, he did not participate in Arizona State’s recent loss to Utah, where the Sun Devils fell 99-73.

In the absence of forward BJ Freeman, Miller has stepped up as a key player for the Sun Devils, currently averaging 10.2 points per game in 27 appearances this season. His impressive shooting percentage—45.9% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range—places him among the top shooters in the conference.

Meanwhile, Arizona State will be without center Jayden Quaintance for the matchup due to a right knee injury. Prior to his injury sustained in the win over Kansas State, Quaintance was having a standout performance, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

“We’re just going to circle the wagons and play with a lot of pride and determination and see where it takes us,” said Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley regarding the challenge of competing with a less-than-full roster.

Quaintance has been averaging 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game but has not played since late February due to this ongoing injury saga. He had recently returned from an ankle injury suffered earlier in the season.

The rivalry game is set to tip-off at 11:00 p.m. ET at the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, where the Wildcats, favored by 18 points, will look to exploit the undermanned Sun Devils. The total for the game is set at 155.5.

Betting trends show that 58% of public bettors are currently backing Arizona State against the spread, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the matchup despite their struggles; the Sun Devils have lost four of their last five games.

The previous encounter between these teams on February 1 ended with Arizona claiming a 9-point victory, marking the Wildcats’ continued dominance in this heated rivalry.

As both teams prepare for the game, all eyes will be on Miller’s performance, as his contributions could be vital for an Arizona State team battling injuries and looking for redemption.