Oregon @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 28, 2019 ) Arizona State 51, Oregon 79

Arizona State found itself being mentioned as a potential NCAA bubble team heading into the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas. The second-seeded Sun Devils, who cruised to a 83-72 victory over UCLA in Thursday's quarterfinals, have a chance to build on their at-large resume and move within one victory of an automatic invitation when they face Oregon in Friday's semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.

Arizona State led by as many as 23 points early in the second half in its victory over the Bruins and coach Bobby Hurley made it clear afterward that he felt his team, with non-conference wins over No. 18 Kansas, Mississippi State and Mountain West co-champion Utah State, had done enough to warrant an invite to March Madness for the second straight year. "I'm going to start by saying after this game, 'What uncertainty?' " Hurley said when the topic of his team's at-large prospects was brought up. "Yeah, it's a big step (reaching the semifinals). It means a lot. We played in a lot of big games this year, a lot of high-level teams. We've been in this spot throughout the year. And this team has a great leadership and great resolve and desire to win. All those things were on display tonight." Sixth-seeded Oregon, the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12, won its sixth straight game Thursday night, ousting No. 3 seed Utah 66-54.

TV: 11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT OREGON (21-12): Junior point guard Payton Pritchard, the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad, and 6-9 freshman forward Louis King each scored 20 points in the quarterfinal victory over Utah. Oregon held the Utes to 34 percent shooting, including 2-of-23 from 3-point range, and 6-9 freshman forward Francis Okoro tied a Pac-12 tournament record with six blocks. "Our defense contested most of their 3s," Altman said. "We know they're a good 3-point shooting team but I think our length bothered them on most of their 3s."

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (22-9): The Sun Devils had five players in double figures in the win over UCLA led by forward Romello White, who had 19 points and seven rebounds, while guard Rob Edwards - a transfer from Cleveland State - added 15 points including 3-of-5 3-pointers. Freshman guard Luguentz Dort earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and second-team all-Pac-12 honors, and leads the team in scoring (16.1) and steals (49). Sophomore guard Remy Martin is second in scoring (13.3) with forward Zylan Cheatham (11.7) and Edwards (11.2) also averaging in double figures.

TIP-INS

1. Cheatham, a 6-8 transfer from San Diego State, has 13 double-doubles this season and had 22 rebounds in a Jan. 31 overtime overtime win over Arizona.

2. Oregon coach Dana Altman is tied with Arizona's Sean Miller for most coaching wins in the Pac-12 tournament with 17.

3. Since allowing UCLA to score 62 points in the second half of a 90-83 loss on Feb. 23, Oregon hasn't allowed a team to score 62 points in a game.

PREDICTION: Oregon 66, Arizona State 59