To the ASU sports supporter there is no image more repugnant, no creature more vile, no person more depraved than an Arizona fan.
Doug Tammaro, Director of Media Relations for ASU, described the rivalry.
“If you have someone that went to school at Arizona or Arizona State even if they don’t follow basketball or follow sports, I think they’re interested in the score of this game… the [fans] are going to go nuts and the intensity is going to be high.”
On Saturday night in a packed Wells Fargo Arena, the intensity was high. Sun Devil fans arrived in droves to support their team.
By the end of the game the enthusiasm in the stadium had shifted entirely to the visiting crowd. The game was a terrible reminder of how bitter defeat can be. After five straight wins in men’s basketball, the Sun Devils experienced a crushing defeat at the hands of their hated rivals. Upon completion of a sloppy first half of play in which both teams combined for 22 fouls, the Wildcats (10-9, 4-3) dominated in the second half outscoring ASU (14-6, 4-3) by 21 points for a final score of 77-58.
The loss, in addition to hurting the team’s NCAA tournament bid, leaves a bad taste in the mouth of every Sun Devil fan. For ASU freshman Carter Donaldson, that taste has a particular flavor.
“I would rather ingest the Tucson air than root for the Wildcats,” said Donaldson.
Donaldson’s love affair with ASU sports began at a young age. His father, a booster and active member of the Sun Devil board, instilled school patriotism in him at an early age.
“I’ve been a Sun Devil my entire life. I’ve been attending games ever since. I was the kid that always wore the ASU stuff to school every week. I’ve just loved the Sun Devils from day one,” said Donaldson.
In spite of his visceral hatred of the Wildcats, Donaldson admits a level of respect for the state rival.
“You look forward to those couple days every year when ASU plays Arizona and you’re either heartbroken or extremely excited when they win.” Said Donaldson. “I knew it was going to be a tough game because it’s a toss up every time…no matter who’s the better team.”
Dejection filled the stadium in the final minutes of the blowout loss. The humiliating defeat coupled with the cheers of the Arizona fans created a near unbearable environment for ASU fans. But for Donaldson and company, the rematch in Tucson on Feb. 21st is already circled on the calendar.
Reach the reporter at wdurso@asu.edu
