ASU Basketball: UCLA Rewind

     In beating USC and losing to UCLA on their recent trip to Los Angeles, the Arizona State men’s basketball team earned a split with the LA schools.  For most, a “road split” in the PAC-12 would not be cause for alarm.  But for the players, coaches and supporters of this ASU team, it is a disappointing loss.  Not so much because they lost the game, but in how they lost. 

This ASU team was supposed to be different.  Going into Pauley Pavilion to take on the Bruins with a 13-3 record, ASU was supposed to be in the top tier of the PAC-12 and be a legitimate contender.  Their convincing victory over USC on Thursday confirmed that belief.

The contest with the ranked Bruins was expected to be somewhat of a showdown of conference elites.  But ASU faltered.  Point guard Jahii Carson struggled to penetrate and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.  And when he did, the role players let him down.  Forwards Shaquelle McKissic and Jonathan Gilling couldn’t knock down shots they typically make.  Neither one looked comfortable and couldn’t get into a good rhythm.

ASU forward Jermaine Marshall had a stellar night, leading all scorers with 25 points, but Center Jordan Bachynski, while effective, didn’t get into the act by being the dominant center he has shown to be.

Moving forward, if this ASU team wants to contend for a conference championship or make a run at the NCAA tournament, they cannot have any more losses like this.  Realistically, they can afford to lose to ranked teams on the road.  But they cannot afford to lose in this manner.  They must be more competitive in order to make an impression on the NCAA selection committee in March.