KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat After repeated ankle injuries, senior Luke Walton is returning to the form that made him one of the favorites for National Player of the Year. Walton had arguably his best game of the season against ASU on Saturday, scoring 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

UA's senior leader finally sees game come together after overcoming injury

This was supposed to be the year Luke Walton showed rest of college basketball that you don't need to be fast or jump out of the building to be a star.

He was going to prove that the old way of getting the job done, one of swift footwork and fundamental passing, could still work in a game that has become full of high-flyers and overwhelmingathletic talent.

He was going to show that being 6-foot-8 doesn't mean that you can't be a point guard.

But Walton has struggled all season with four different ankle injuries that have not only limited his time on the court, but hisconditioning as well.

On Saturday night in Tempe, however, it all came together for the San Diego native.

"These injuries happen and it's no excuse," said Walton. "(My ankle) felt great out there tonight. I knew that I needed to step up my play."

And he did.

Walton scored a season-high 23 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and had four assists, making him one of three Wildcats with a double-double in UA's 92-72 victory. He had 26 points against the Sun Devils last season in Tempe.

"With Luke, we're a great basketball team," sophomore Salim Stoudamire said. "Without him, we're mediocre. He's that important to us."

As the son of Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton, someone who was known for his quick moves around the hoop, he created mismatches against the undersized ASU forwards all game. He continued asking for the ball down low instead of standing at the top of the key looking for a jump shot.

"We had Donnell Knight at 6-foot-7 and Jamal Hill at 6-foot-5 in there trying to contain Luke Walton and he just kept getting to the hoop," ASU head coach Rob Evans said. "Without Luke in there, it's a whole different ballgame. He is a tough person to match up."

The mismatch that Walton creates at the small forward position could be the difference down the stretch for Arizona. If anyone doubted that Wildcats deserved being ranked No. 1 earlier this season, it could be because they really weren't in full strength just yet. While Walton was in the game, he really wasn't.

"It's lovely to have him back," said fellow senior Rick Anderson. "It makes everything so much easier."

With Walton scoring more, it means less pressure on senior Jason Gardner to score, and gives him more of an opportunity to concentrate on penetrating and dishing, the primary role of the point guard in Lute Olson's offense. The Sun Devils focused on taking away Gardner's shot early ÷ he took only one shot in the first half, so he got others involved. Gardner had six assists in the first half and 10 overall.

On Saturday night, with the focus on Gardner, Walton was able to score under the basket while six of his 10 successful field goals were lay-ups.

"He was on his game," ASU freshman center Ike Diogu said. "You've got to try and battle someone like that."

Walton said earlier last week that he was still surprised to see his name among the finalist for awards such as the Naismith, which honors the nation's best college basketball player. But Walton said even though he doesn't think he is going to win too many, if any, post-season individual awards at the end of the season, it won't bother him.

He just wants that team award once April rolls around ÷ the National Championship.

"The good things are still ahead," he saidfield goals were lay-ups.

"He was on his game," ASU freshman center Ike Diogu said. "You've got to try and battle someone like that."

Walton said earlier last week that he was still surprised to see his name among the finalist for awards such as the Naismith, which honors the nation's best college basketball player. But Walton said even though he doesn't think he is going to win too many, if any, post-season individual awards, it won't bother him.

He just wants that team award once April rolls around ÷ the National Championship.

"The good things are still ahead," he said.