Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Arizona State returns to Tempe vs. UNLV

By Dylan Carter

Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley (left) reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley (left) reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following a devastating 115-69 loss to Kentucky in the Bahamas last Monday, the Sun Devils are back in Tempe this Saturday night to face off against the UNLV Rebels in their eighth game of the season.

Arizona State’s backcourt will prepare to face off against the perimeter shooting and passing of the UNLV guard rotation who have been impressively efficient up to this point in the year. Regardless of percentage, ASU is still averaging 83.3 points per game, five more than the Rebels. The fast-paced offense implemented by head coach Bobby Hurley should truly test the stamina and defensive capabilities of the Rebels.

With similar size in their rotations, the two teams will scrap on the boards and fight for dominance of the paint. A notable matchup will be between ASU forward Obinna Oleka and UNLV forward Tyrell Green. Oleka has a slight size advantage on Green and has averaged four and a half more rebounds than him, but has not nearly matched his three-point prowess so far this season. Tyrell Green has shot a stellar 54 percent from behind the arc and has no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, Oleka has shot the three-ball at a dreadful 24 percent so far this year. Watching the two Seniors face off will be an interesting test for both players.

Another matchup to look out for is Jalen Poyser and Shannon Evans II. Bobby Hurley will more than likely assign Evans to guard UNLV’s leading scorer because of the size matchup, quickness, and grittiness he’s shown on defense in his short time as a Sun Devil. Poyser, a 6’4″ guard from Ontario, has averaged 17 points per game along with four assists in seven games so far this year. Slowing Poyser down will effectively slow down the entire offense of the Rebels, creating a huge advantage for ASU.

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Both teams should hope to gain some momentum with this matchup prior to looming games against ranked opponents. Arizona State will face No.15 Perdue on December 6th and UNLV will face No.5 Duke on December 10th. A win could be incredibly meaningful for either team before facing some of their most fearsome competition of the season. A Sun Devils victory would help to erase the bad memory of their previous game against Kentucky and create some positive energy heading into their game against Purdue next Tuesday.

The Sun Devils stand at a decent 4-3 record thus far and have done so by playing team basketball and by getting to the line. Attacking the Rebels’ guards and drawing fouls will be crucial to their success in the contest.

Tipoff is at 6:00 MST from Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Arizona. The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.