UCLA basketball to face Arizona State in quarterfinal matchup
By Sam Strong
March 13, 2013 4:59 p.m.
LAS VEGAS — Arizona State kicked off Pac-12 Tournament play on Wednesday by beating Stanford in overtime, 89-88, to advance to the quarterfinals, where the Sun Devils will face the top-seeded UCLA Bruins on Thursday at noon.
The teams split the season series, but Arizona State dealt UCLA its worst loss of the season, a 78-60 blowout in Tempe, Ariz. on Jan. 26. The Bruins beat the Sun Devils in overtime 79-74 on Feb. 27 at Pauley Pavilion.
Freshman guard Jahii Carson – who was recently named the Pac-12’s co-freshman of the year along with UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad – set a Pac-12 record for freshmen by leading Arizona State on Wednesday, March 13 with a career-high 34 points. Senior forward Carrick Felix added 19.
The pair of Sun Devils spoke about their matchup with the Bruins after Wednesday’s game.
Freshman Jahii Carson
On tomorrow’s game against UCLA:
“They’re a tough team. They’re a good team with all the scoring options they have but if we come out with the same mentality we came out with today, the same energy, the same toughness, I think we can control the game and control the tempo. I think it’s going to be a pretty good game. I think we come out with the victory if we come out with the same mentality we had today.”
Senior forward Carrick Felix
On tomorrow’s game against UCLA:
“The key for us is to come out with great energy and play with toughness. UCLA’s going to come out with the same exact energy and they’re going to want to play. That’s one thing we’ve got to be ready for, their three big freshmen really look to score. We’ve got to make sure we D-up and rebound. I think rebounding and 50-50 plays are going to be big for us.”
On guarding UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad:
“He’s going to look to score it every time. He runs the floor and he’s a tough player. I just need to stay composed, be smart on defense and play him straight up. I’ve got my teammates and I know if I get into any trouble, I’ll have a little bit of help. Me and him are going to battle tomorrow.”
Compiled by Sam Strong, Bruin Sports senior staff.
