Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Sun Devils Face Tough Test at No. 13 Oregon

By Zach Pekale

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) moves the ball up the court against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) moves the ball up the court against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a late collapse against Washington State, ASU Basketball is back on the road to face No. 13 Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena.

For the Arizona State men’s basketball team (10-12, 3-6), winning on the road has been a challenge this season as its 2-9 record away from Wells Fargo Arena would indicate. Winning at Matthew Knight Arena is unheard of, entirely because ASU has never won a game there.

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The last time the Sun Devils won in Eugene was Jan. 1, 2011, the Ducks’ final game at McArthur Court. It doesn’t get any easier for ASU on Thursday night as Oregon (19-3, 9-1) currently owns a 38-game winning streak at home.

Head coach Dana Altman runs a balanced attack where no players averages more than 30 minutes per game for the Ducks. Five players average double figures in scoring led by forward Dylan Brooks’s 13.4 points per contest.

Offensively, the Sun Devils will be tested by Oregon’s defense which only allows 63.4 points a night. The challnege will be matching up to the length and athleticism on the wings and in the middle with big man Chris Boucher.

Head coach Bobby Hurley will have to get creative with his offensive sets and have his guards push the tempo in transition. Oregon can score effectively and ASU will need to keep up with the offensive efficiency of the Ducks.

On the glass, Hurley might be forced to move away from his four-guard lineup in favor of the size Ramon Vila or Jethro Tshisumpa possesses to complement senior Obinna Oleka in the front court. The athleticism of Brooks, Boucher and forward Jordan Bell will leave ASU needing to go big most of the night.

For ASU, guard Tra Holder has had the hot hand lately and will need to be the go-to scorer tonight. The junior scored 23 and 27 points against Washington and Washington State.

Next: ASU MBB: Hawkinson Proves to Be Too Much for Devils

Tip-off between the Ducks and the Sun Devils is at 9 p.m. MST from Matthew Knight Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports 1.

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