Arizona State Faces No. 23 West Virginia in Morgantown Showdown

Arizona State’s rising star, 17-year-old Jayden Quaintance, is quickly making a name for himself, but his Sun Devils face a major challenge on Tuesday as they take on No. 23 West Virginia in Morgantown.

Arizona State: Rising Star, Tough Road

Jayden Quaintance, one of the youngest players in college basketball, is coming off two standout games. The 6-foot-9 phenom dropped a season-high 20 points and five blocks against UCF, followed by a 15-point, 14-rebound performance at Cincinnati, where he added another five blocks. His dominant second-half rally against Cincinnati gave the Sun Devils a spark, but they ultimately fell short, marking their fourth straight loss.

Coach Bobby Hurley praised Quaintance’s natural athleticism, saying, “He’s got instincts you just can’t teach.” However, injuries to key players like Joson Sanon (12.8 PPG) and BJ Freeman (13.2 PPG) have left the Sun Devils shorthanded, with Freeman’s availability for Tuesday in question. Hurley admits the team is thin, relying on just seven players to keep them competitive.

West Virginia: Clutch and Confident

The Mountaineers (13-4, 4-2 Big 12) are riding high after an upset win over No. 2 Iowa State, powered by Javon Small’s incredible performance. Small, the Big 12’s leading scorer (19.8 PPG), tallied 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals in the victory. He scored 12 of those points in the final 1:39 to seal the deal.

“He’s the best guard in the country right now,” said first-year coach Darian DeVries, who has leaned on Small after losing his son, Tucker DeVries, to an upper-body injury earlier in the season. The Mountaineers have excelled in tight games, boasting a perfect 6-0 record in contests decided by eight points or fewer.

West Virginia is looking for more consistent contributions from players like Amani Hansberry (10.2 PPG) and Jonathan Powell (9.2 PPG), who hit clutch threes against Iowa State to help secure the win.

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What to Watch

Arizona State’s success will hinge on Jayden Quaintance’s ability to continue his breakout performances, especially with key players potentially sidelined. On the other hand, West Virginia’s Javon Small has been unstoppable, and the Mountaineers’ ability to close out tight games gives them a significant edge.

Prediction

With momentum and home-court advantage, West Virginia is favored in this first-ever meeting between the teams. Arizona State will need a near-perfect performance from Quaintance and help from their depleted lineup to keep it close. Expect the Mountaineers to maintain their clutch form and secure another victory.