Sometimes it’s not what players and coaches say that best defines a basketball game. Sometimes an outside observer has a deeper perspective.
After ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beat ASU 91-79 Monday night, my friend Francico Romero tweeted his reaction in Spanish: ASU aplasto. A domir agusto.
Romero, the UA’s former Spanish language broadcaster for football and basketball, has known a spectrum of feelings — elation and anguish — from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-ASU rivalry since his days at Pueblo High School. He supplied this translation to his tweet: “ASU is crushed. I’ll sleep comfortably.â€
Comfort? Enjoy it while you can.
Once the college basketball calendar flips to February, comfort is fleeting, replaced by uncertainty. If you are a live-and-die-with-the-Wildcats fan, there are few greater anxieties than watching your team fall into a 14-1 hole against the Sun Devils.
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There could’ve been no doubt that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was getting ASU’s best shot. It’s just that the Sun Devils didn’t stock enough ammunition. Incredibly, the Wildcats outscored them 81-42 for the next 30 minutes.
By then, ASU coach Bobby Hurley was in a rare pose: Dispassionate, sitting on the bench.
But here’s another anxiety that manifests itself immediately: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ must play at Washington State on Thursday. The Cougars are the wood-chippers of Pac-12 basketball. They play slow. They beat ASU 51-29 in Tempe earlier this season. Yes, 51-29.
They’ve won five consecutive games by limiting opponents to, in order, 57, 54, 43, 60 and 64 points.
And although old Friel Court probably won’t have more than 3,000 fans, playing coach Kyle Smith’s team — ranked No. 22 nationally in defensive efficiency by — is like sitting in the dentist’s chair and hearing “this might pinch or burn.”
Or both.

Dalen Terry and the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bench celebrate a teammate’s 3-pointer during Monday’s second half.
With the exception of a Feb. 17 home game against Oregon State, every game on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s remaining Pac-12 schedule is likely to be more difficult than Monday’s game in Tempe.
Get a comfortable night’s rest while you can.
In retrospect, beating the Sun Devils shouldn’t have created that much worry. History suggested ASU’s weekend victory over No. 3 UCLA was a one-shot wonder.
Across its modest Pac-12 basketball history, ASU had beaten just four teams ranked in in the AP’s top four. It has been unable to follow up on any of those storm-the-court victories.
ASU stunned No. 1 Oregon State on the final day of the 1980-81 regular season. It lost its next game, a NCAA Tournament showdown against Kansas, by 17 points.
The Star's Justin Spears and Alec White report from Tempe following ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s 91-79 win over ASU and explain how the Wildcats took control after falling behind early.
On Valentine’s Day, 2014, ASU marred No. 2 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s 23-1 start to the season, winning in overtime. Alas, the Sun Devils were swept by Colorado and Utah the following week and went 2-6 the rest of the season.
In December 2017, ASU beat No. 2 Kansas in Lawrence. The Sun Devils then topped 3-6 Vanderbilt, 3-8 Longwood and 5-7 Pacific before succumbing to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at McKale. ASU lost again a few days later at Colorado.
A later later, ASU shocked No. 1 Kansas in Tempe only to lose its next game to Princeton. It’s not that Princeton enjoyed a historic season; it finished 16-12.

Dalen Terry silences the crowd during the Wildcats’ rivalry win.
It shouldn’t have been too surprising that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was better equipped for a Big Game than the Sun Devils.
Get this: Monday’s game was the 63rd time the Wildcats have played as the No. 4 team in the AP poll. In none of those games, all played between 1987 and 2022, has ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ looked out of place as the nation’s four-ranked team.
They have gone 57-6, including what is now a 5-0 streak against ASU, winning those games by an average of 17 points. The scores: 116-80, 93-74, 73-60, 89-82 and now, 91-79.
Hurley was impressed: He told reporters, “They have multiple ways that they can beat you. It’s rare that a team has that quality of an inside game that they can go to in the half-court offense, yet be very lethal in the open court, too, in transition with the athleticism of their wings.â€
The near-sellout crowd of 13,233 all saw the same thing: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is a legit No. 4 team.
TEMPE — The fourth-ranked ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats routed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State 91-79 at Desert Financial Arena Monday night to complete the season sweep of the Sun Devils.
Whenever ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has been ranked No. 4, it has been up to the billing. Its only losses over those 63 games have been against No. 2 Kansas in 1997, No. 8 Kansas in 2001, No. 8 Florida in 2003, No. 5 UCLA in 2017, against Wisconsin in the 2000 NCAA Tournament and against a 2013 Oregon team that won 28 games and reached the Sweet 16.
Perhaps No. 4 should be considered the lucky charm of UA basketball.
While ranked No. 4, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beat No. 6 Duke in 2013, No. 8 Texas in 1999 and routed 29-6 Gonzaga in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, 84-61. A young coach, Tommy Lloyd, witnessed that game from the Zags’ bench.
He learned then what a No. 4 team looks like. On Monday in Tempe, Lloyd saw it from the other side. As Francisco Romero might say, “±ô±ð²µÃ³Ù¾±³¾´Ç.â€
Photos: No. 4 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats win 91-79 over ASU
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates a dunk by fellow teammate center Oumar Ballo (11) during the first half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) dunks the ball during the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) is poked in the eye by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils center Enoch Boakye (14) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd, center, reacts to a flop call while the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats bench reacts during the first half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) jumps for an offensive rebound over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Jalen Graham (2) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) makes a gesture towards the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University student section during the second half of their game against ASU at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) shoots a three-pointer over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Jamiya Neal (55) during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022. Larsson was called for a flop warning after falling to the floor after his three-pointer.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) shoots the ball during a fast break in the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) reacts towards the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University bench during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) catches the ball while ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to almost getting hit in the face with the ball during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) and the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bench celebrate a fellow teammates three-pointer during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) passes the ball during the first half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) shoots the ball over three ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University players during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Kimani Lawrence (4) grabs an offensive rebound over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) swats the ball from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils guard DJ Horne's (0) shot during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Kimani Lawrence (4) tries to escape a double team by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Bennedict Mathurin looks to pass over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State’s Marreon Jackson to center Oumar Ballo during the first half.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

Students perform a distraction in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University's student section "curtain of distraction" while an ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcat shoots a free-throw during the second half of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University Sun Devils rivalry game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Justin Kier (5) tries to gain possession of the ball after tipping loose from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils guard Marreon Jackson (3) during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) shoots the ball between ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Alonzo Gaffney (32) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Kimani Lawrence (4) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) is hit in the face by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils forward Jalen Graham (2) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Addison Arnold (22) and the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bench react to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry's (4) dunk during the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) tries to force a jump ball while ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils guard Marreon Jackson (3) tries to keep possession during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates towards the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University bench during the first half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) covers his face after getting poked in the eye by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils center Enoch Boakye (14) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats reacts to a dunk on the bench during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) passes the ball inside the paint during the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fan Christopher Brown, bottom left, chants for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ while another fan holds an ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ flag during the second half of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University Sun Devils rivalry game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) dunks the ball during the second half of their game ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) celebrates a dunk while ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) pumps up the crowd during the second half of their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) checks on fellow teammate ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) after Larsson was poked in the eye by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Sun Devils center Enoch Boakye (14) during the second half of their game at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) stretches with fellow teammates before their game against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State University at Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 7th, 2022.