Arizona State Sun Devils vs Houston Cougars Picks and Predictions February 18th 2025

No. 6 Houston Pits Sharp Focus Against Frustrated Arizona State

Arizona State is searching for answers after a five-game losing streak, but the challenge doesn’t get any easier as they host No. 6 Houston on Tuesday night.

Arizona State Struggles to Find a Breakthrough

The Sun Devils (12-13, 3-11 Big 12) have dropped six straight home games and are coming off back-to-back tough losses. They fell in double overtime at Texas Tech and then rallied from a 13-point deficit against TCU, only to fall short 74-70 on Saturday.

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To make matters worse, freshman forward Jayden Quaintance (ankle sprain) missed both losses, and veteran forward Adam Miller was ejected early in the second half against TCU, marking his second ejection in two weeks.

“My players didn’t even want me to talk to them after the game,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. “We’re kind of finding new ways each game to not be able to get a win.”

BJ Freeman, who had a game-high 21 points against TCU, believes the team needs to play with more confidence and energy for the full 40 minutes.

“We play good basketball by getting stops, getting back on defense, rebounding the ball, kicking the ball ahead and playing real fast,” Freeman said. “Once we’re not doing that, we start playing sluggish and getting lazy.”

Houston Dominates With Defense and Focus

Houston (21-4, 13-1 Big 12) has been rolling through the Big 12, sitting two games ahead of Texas Tech and Arizona in the standings. The Cougars are coming off a 62-58 road win against No. 13 Arizona, extending their road winning streak to 11 games—the longest active streak in the nation.

“We’re really good at staying in the moment,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “If you focus on what’s in front of you and not what’s ahead of you, you usually make better decisions.”

Houston boasts the best scoring defense in the country (57.3 PPG allowed) and ranks sixth in field-goal percentage defense (38.1%). However, the Cougars are also an efficient offensive team, averaging 75.8 PPG and ranking 11th nationally in 3-point shooting (39.4%).

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Key Players to Watch

• LJ Cryer & Emanuel Sharp (Houston) – Cryer (14.3 PPG, 40.8% 3PT) and Sharp (11.8 PPG, 41.5% 3PT) lead a Houston team that can punish opponents from deep.
• BJ Freeman (Arizona State) – Freeman has been ASU’s most consistent scorer but needs more help from his teammates.
• Arizona State’s Defense – The Sun Devils must find a way to slow down Houston’s offensive efficiency while maintaining their own fast-paced style.

“The main thing was just having the confidence to take the shot—that’s how you win on the road,” Cryer said. “You’ve got to be confident in your abilities.”

Will the Sun Devils rise to the occasion,

or will Houston continue its dominant road run?

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Can Arizona State Snap Its Losing Streak?

With six straight home losses and mounting frustration, Arizona State is desperate for a win. But Houston’s elite defense and laser focus make them a tough opponent for a team struggling to close out games.

Get Ready for March Madness!

The race for the Big 12 title is heating up, and both teams are fighting for postseason positioning. Stay ahead of the game with expert insights and analysis all season long!