Cal vs. Arizona State

Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 6 PM PT | Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif.
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The Golden Bears tip off for the first time at home in 2019 by hosting the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second week of conference action. Cal and ASU face off beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday from Haas Pavilion and airing live on the Pac-12 Networks.

Cal is looking for its first conference win this season after going 0-2 against the Southern California schools in the inaugural weekend of league play. Five Golden Bears have turned in double-figure scoring totals in the first two conference games, led by Justice Sueing's 17.0 points per game. Sueing led the Bears in scoring during conference play last season. Sophomore teammate Darius McNeill continues to heat up and is coming off a season-high 23 points against UCLA on Saturday. He leads the Bears with five 3-pointers in league action and is averaging 15.5 points in his last two outings. The Bears have also upped their rebounding average to 34.0 rebounds per game in Pac-12 play.

Arizona State heads to Berkeley with a 1-1 Pac-12 record after falling in its opener to Utah, 96-86. The Sun Devils bounced back against Colorado with an 83-61 win, led by Romello White's 19 points as one of five double-figure performers.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION: Roxy Bernstein and Mike Montgomery will deliver play-by-play and analysis live on the Pac-12 Networks. Fans can also watch online at www.Pac-12.com/live, or on the Pac-12 Now app. Todd McKim and Rich Cellini will have the action for the  California Golden Bears Sports Network on KGO 810 AM and via TuneIn. Live stats, broadcast info and more can be accessed via the Cal men's basketball schedule page. Fans can follow the Bears on social media via @CalMBball on Twitter and Instagram, and at Facebook.com/CalMBball.
 

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BY THE NUMBERS

9.0 -- Connor Vanover is averaging 9.0 points per game in his last three outings after logging career-high totals in each of the last three games. Vanover logged a then career-high 7 points in 11 minutes against Cal Poly before suffering an in-game injury. When he returned to action against USC, he upped his career-best to 10 points and then matched the total against UCLA.

34.0 -- The Bears are averaging 34.0 rebounds to start conference play after averaging just 28.0 rebounds through the nonconference slate. Cal's 32 rebounds at USC and 36 at UCLA are among the team's top 4 rebounding totals all season.

17 -- Cal's 17 steals matched a school-record high for conference play, and marked a season-high for the Bears, up from 13 against Santa Clara on Nov. 26. 3 players matched or exceeded previous individual career-best totals, including Darius McNeill (7 steals), Anticevich (3 steals) and Bradley (3 steals).

86.8 -- Justice Sueing is averaging 86.8 percent shooting (66-76) from the free throw line, including a team season-best 8-8 clip against UCLA. He leads a Cal squad that's averaging 76.9 percent at the stripe.

18.0 -- Darius McNeill is averaging 18.0 points per game in his last four games, dating back to the San Jose State game on Dec. 21. He has two 20-point outings in that span, including 22 points against the Spartans and a season-high 23 points at UCLA. 
 

SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS

• Series Record: ASU leads, 42-41
• Last Meeting: Arizona State swept Cal for the season with an 84-53 victory in Tempe on March 1, 2018. Justice Sueing was one of two Bears to score in double figures with 13 points, but Cal went 0-18 from 3-point range.
• ASU's 2018-19 Record: 10-4, 1-1 Pac-12
• ASU's Last Game: Arizona State downed Colorado, 83-61, with five Sun Devils scoring in double figures. Romello White led the squad with a game-high 19 points plus 8 rebounds, and the Sun Devils shot 57.1 percent (32-56).
• Four Sun Devils are scoring in double figures -- Luguentz Dort (17.5), Remy Martin (12.0), Zylan Cheatham (11.8) and Kimani Lawrence (11.1).
• Cheatham owns a team-high 14.5 points per game in Pac-12 play. He also ranks 31st nationally with 6 double-doubles this season.
• Three Sun Devils are averaging 5.0 or more rebounds per game -- Cheatham (9.5), White (6.2) and Dort (5.1).
• The Sun Devils rank top 20 nationally in total rebounds per game (7th, 43.14), rebound margin (15th, 8.6), free throw attempts (18th, 386) and defensive rebounds per game (20th, 29.50).

SERIES NOTES
Record at Cal: 24-16
Neutral: 1-0
Last 10 meetings: 4-6
Most points, Cal: 108, 1999-00
Most points, ASU: 111, 1999-00
Largest margin, Cal: 30, 1956-57
Largest margin, ASU: 36, 1978-79
Longest Cal win streak: 5, 1988-89 to 1990-91; 2009-
10 to 2011-12
Longest ASU win streak: 7, 1982-83 to 1985-86
Current Streak: 2, Arizona State

RECORDS AGAINST ARIZONA STATE
Points: 36, Jackie Ridgle, Dec. 30, 1968
Rebounds: 18, Mark McNamara, Feb. 28, 1981
FG: 12, Leonard Taylor, Jan. 5, 1989
3P: 6, Grant Mullins, Feb. 8, 2017
FT: 20, Dave Butler, Feb. 26, 1987
 

LAST TIME OUT

• The Result: UCLA powered past Cal, 98-83
• Cal utilized a fifth unique starting lineup this season. Starters: Matt Bradley, Juhwan Harris-Dyson, Jacobi Gordon, Grant Anticevich and Connor Vanover. It was Gordon's first career start.
• Cal's 17 steals matched a school-record high for conference play, and marked a season-high for the Bears. 
• Darius McNeill's career-high 7 steals were one shy of tying the school record.
• 4 Bears scored in double figures, led by a season high from McNeill (23 points). He scored 16 of his 23 in the first half
• Justice Sueing added 18 points.
• Matt Bradley scored 15 points and added career-best steal (3) and assist (5) totals.
• Connor Vanover's career-high 10 points marked his second consecutive game in double figures.
• Cal committed a season-high 19 turnovers.
• Paris Austin missed the game with a sprained ankle.
 

RANKING ROUNDUP

As a team, Cal ranks Top 50 nationally in:
• Free-Throw Percentage: 11th, 76.9
• Fewest Fouls: 34th, 164
• Fewest Turnovers: 34th, 164

Individually, Cal players rank in the Top 100 nationally in:
• Assist Turnover Ratio: Paris Austin (90th, 2.23)
• Assists Per Game: Paris Austin (61st, 5.2)
• Free Throws Made: Justice Sueing (75th, 66)
• Free Throw Percentage: Justice Sueing (45th, 86.8)
• Total Assists: Paris Austin (93rd, 67)

NEXT UP

The Bears wrap up the second week of Pac-12 play against Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Haas Pavilion, airing live on the Pac-12 Networks.