Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Long Live Small-Ball

By Alyanna kathrine Harina

Nov 13, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley speaks at a press conference following the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Wells-Fargo Arena. Sacramento State won 66-63. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley speaks at a press conference following the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Wells-Fargo Arena. Sacramento State won 66-63. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been well documented that the Arizona State backcourt will take on the shooting load for the season, and for good reason too. The perimeter works.

Head coach Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devils’ perimeter offense dominated the Cal Poly Mustangs 96-74.

The Devils, led by senior guard Torian Graham and junior guards Tra Holder and Shannon Evans II, took advantage of mismatches against the Mustangs who committed 29 team fouls, equating to  33 made Sun Devil free throws.

ASU shot 79 percent from the line and only allowed the Mustangs 12 points from the free throw line.

Evans, who went 12-12 at the line, and Holder who went 7-11, both showed an enhanced ability to draw contact.

“The game has changed,” Hurley said. “It’s natural that if teams switch a five man on a point guard they’re not gonna be able to guard that player without putting their hands on them. So having guys that could break down the defense off the dribble puts yourself in a great position to get to the free throw line.”

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According to Evans, he felt like he couldn’t get his shots going for the Devils so getting to the line was his way of scoring.

Undoubtedly the ASU’s leader, Holder finished the night with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, alongside Evans who notched 20 points and three rebounds.

Graham also continued to play the role of the team’s spark, especially early in the second half as the Sun Devils opened the second half leading 39-38. ASU trailed the Mustangs early out of the break and it wasn’t until almost six minutes into the half that the Devils took back the lead 55-53 with a layup from Holder. Graham came out hot in the second half scoring 12 of his 18 points and contributing to several key defensive stops.

“He provides a spark on offense,” Hurley said. “He’s a pure, pure scorer, not only as a shooter, he gets to the rim. But the defense, he is a really strong wing defender and he gets some deflections and made a couple of really good defensive plays and he’s rebounding.”

Evans offered an additional statement on his teammate.

“He plays hard, he makes a lot of shots, he rebounds the ball as well,” Evans said. “He covers all aspects of the game.”

It was clear that small-ball will be key for the Devils until the team’s big men develop to give Hurley a more conventional line up.

Next: ASU MBB: Evans Shines in Sun Devil Debut

However, senior forward Obinna Oleka has taken on a leadership role in the front court for the Sun Devils, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his first double-double on the year.

The win improves ASU to 2-0 with both tallies coming at Wells Fargo Arena. Now, the Sun Devils will face their first road test in the Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando, Fla.

ASU will have a few days to prepare for its tournament opener against Northern Iowa on Nov. 17.

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