In a shocking turn of events, Arizona State handed Cincinnati a 14-point defeat, 82-68, at the Desert Financial Arena. This outcome was a major upset, as the Bearcats were favored to win by 3.6 points, according to CHD Scout's pre-game prediction. However, the Sun Devils had other plans, riding the coattails of Maurice Odum's phenomenal performance to secure a crucial Quad 2 victory.
Odum was unstoppable, tallying 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead Arizona State to its 11th win of the season. His dominance was on full display, particularly in the second half, where the Sun Devils outscored the Bearcats 45-35. Anthony Johnson and Santiago Trouet also made significant contributions, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively, to help their team pull off the stunning upset.
Cincinnati's Baba Miller did his best to keep his team afloat, scoring 23 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Moustapha Thiam added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Sencire Harris chipped in with 8 points. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the Sun Devils' balanced attack and Odum's exceptional play.
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The game was closely contested in the first half, with Arizona State taking a 37-33 lead into the break. However, the Sun Devils came out firing in the second half, using a 10-2 run to build a 12-point advantage. Cincinnati struggled to recover, and Arizona State's lead only grew from there.
The implications of this result are significant, particularly for Arizona State's tournament chances. The win marks a Quad 2 victory for the Sun Devils, which will undoubtedly boost their resume. On the other hand, Cincinnati's loss is a Quad 2 defeat, which may hurt their postseason aspirations. The Bearcats, now 10-10 on the season, must regroup and refocus to get their season back on track.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction was incorrect, as Arizona State's convincing victory defied expectations. The Sun Devils' 14-point margin of victory was a far cry from the predicted 3.6-point Cincinnati win. This result serves as a reminder that college basketball is full of surprises, and even the most informed predictions can go awry.
As the season progresses, Arizona State's upset win over Cincinnati will be a crucial factor in evaluating their tournament chances. The Sun Devils have now improved to 11-9 on the season, and their Quad 2 victory will undoubtedly be a key talking point when discussing their resume. With this win, Arizona State has taken a significant step forward, while Cincinnati must rebound from this setback to stay in the tournament conversation.