• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Harden leads Arizona State vs. Charlotte in 76 Classic

Nov 27, 2008 - 9:56 AM No. 14 Arizona State (3-0) at Charlotte (1-3) 9:00 p.m. EST

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- If James Harden can replicate Sunday's performance, 14th-ranked Arizona State should earn a ticket to the 76 Classic title.

The sensational sophomore and the Sun Devils will take on Charlotte in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday.

Harden nearly outscored Pepperdine in Arizona State's last game, dropping a career-high 33 points while grabbing 12 rebounds in a 61-40 triumph over the Waves.

In three games, Harden leads the Sun Devils with 25 points, 6.7 rebounds, five assists and 2.3 steals per game.

Arizona State should be tested against the 49ers, who have lost three games by a combined five points. After a one-point loss to Old Dominion and an overtime loss to Appalachian State, Charlotte nearly pulled off the upset against Clemson on Saturday.

The 49ers fell, 71-70, to the Atlantic Coast Conference foe despite 21 points off the bench from Ian Andersen, who sank 7-of-11 3-point attempts. Senior Lamont Mack leads the 49ers with 14 points a game.

The winner of the first round game will take on the winner of Providence-Baylor in the semifinals on Friday.