Call it preemptively peeved. ASU fans are already ticked and nothing has happened yet.

As the Pac-10 Tournament gets underway and selection Sunday still days away, Sun Devil Nation is irked. Their Sun Devils are more of a bubble team than their southern neighbors in the OP (Old Pueblo). If you look at Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology on ESPN, the Sun Devils are one of the last four teams out while the boys from North Mexico are a No. 10 seed with one of those little red arrows next to their name that points upwards, indicating their stock is actually rising.

Since ASU is 2-0 against the OP this year, ASU fans figure it’s UA that should be sweating this out. Devil fans are bracing to get screwed.

ASU fans need to realize two things.

One: ASU is not competing exclusively against UA for the last spot in the tournament. It may feel like it - ASU is 2-0 against them and has a better record, both in conference and out of conference. But ASU is also competing against the likes of Maryland, Villanova, Ohio State, South Alabama, New Mexico, etc. There are probably 14 bubble teams that the Sun Devils will be compared to, but none have the same hate appeal as the ‘Cats.

But, if you insist on making it “us vs. them”, then realize this: you’ll be happier if UA doesn’t get in than you will if ASU does. And, if you can’t admit that then you’re lying to yourself. Hate to have a Dr. Phil moment, but look in the mirror and be honest with yourself. What will make you happier? They’re out or you’re in?

If ASU gets in…that’s a wonderful achievement but either way, with Harden returning, next year will be the season of high expectations. This year is likely a one-and-done. If UA doesn’t get in, well that’s the beginning of the end in Tucson, isn’t it? The end to a 23 year streak? A vision of what life will be like without Lute?

Besides, ASU is a football school. Basketball is just a bonus. In Tucson, basketball is all they have. Take that away from them, and honestly, what’s left?