ASU vs. UNLV: Game preview

Tipoff: 6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET

Television: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM

Arizona State Update: The Sun Devils returned home on Saturday and picked up a victory over Colgate, 78-71. Gerry Blakes led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds on 9-15 shooting. Blakes is averaging 22 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in his last two games and low leads ASU with 12.3 points per game on the season.

Junior forward Eric Jacobsen has shown vast improvement this season. In 64 games prior to this season, Jacobsen was averaging 8.8 minutes, 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. This season, Jacobsen is averaging 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 74 percent from the field.

ASU currently sits No. 34 in the nation in field goal percentage and the Sun Devils are averaging 70.8 points per game. What has plagued ASU is turnovers and poor free throw shooting.

UNLV Update: The Rebels are off to a 4-1 start this season with victories over Morehead State, Sam Houston State, Albany and Temple. However it has not been easy, three of UNLV's victories have come by a combined 10 points. The team is averaging just 62.2 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field.

Freshman guard Rashad Vaughn is averaging 17.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Vaughn is a volume shooter with good range from beyond the arc. Sophomore Christian Wood is the only other player averaging double figures, as he averages 13.6 points and a team-leading 10.4 rebounds per game.

Keys to Victory

1. Do the Little Things: In the CBE Classic, the Sun Devils found ways to lose games, missing free throws and turning the ball over down the stretch. This is a young team with a lot of new pieces and the Sun Devils need to learn how to win and put teams away. The Sun Devils need to be fundamentally sound and do the little things right to pick up a victory.

2. Limit UNLV's runs: Sendek has voiced concerns over his teams defense during stretches, particularly in the second half. They allowed Colgate to stay in the game last Saturday and their defense allowed Maryland to crawl back into their game in Kansas City (which Maryland went on to win). The Sun Devils cannot allow UNLV to score in bunches on Wednesday night.

3. Shoot well from beyond the arc: ASU lives and dies from the 3-point basket. If the Sun Devils shoot well from downtown, chances are they will be in the game with a good chance to win. If they do not shoot well, it may be a long night.

Prediction: UNLV 70, ASU 63