ASU Basketball: Bachynski Fueling Devils’ Fire

Much of the focus regarding the 2013-14 Arizona State basketball team has been on Jahii Carson and Jermaine Marshall, with each making big shots and highlight reel plays game in and game out. But the team’s fortunes have seem to rise and fall on the 7-1 frame of senior center Jordan Bachynski, whose game-clinching blocks and low post presence on both ends of the floor have keyed several of the Devils’ victories this season.

Coming to Tempe a 20-year old project, the Calgary native had served an LDS mission in Miami before donning the maroon and gold in 2010. Bachynski’s numbers have risen each season, culminating with him becoming the Pac-12’s career leader in blocks this season with 297. His biggest may have come last Friday when his rejection of Arizona’s TJ McConnell with just seconds remaining in double overtime lead to a Carson dunk on the other end that sealed ASU’s first win over a top five-ranked team in 16 years.

“It’s just an amazing feeling,” said Bachynski of the play, “and for Jahii to dunk it on the other end to expand the lead, there’s no words to describe that.”

Bachynski has also developed into a quality offensive threat, averaging double figures (11.9 points/game) for the first time this season. Utilizing his height, Bachynski has developed one of the best low post repertoires in the conference, as well as finishing on the other end of many of Jahii Carson’s 120 assists. His skills reached a paramount on February 8th when Bachynski logged a career high 26 points against Oregon on February 8th.

A turning point for Bachynski came in 2012, when he was criticized by coach Herb Sendek for playing too soft. Bachynski took a 45-minute drive in Utah with his mentor, mission president Nathan Hale, that helped him realize that his focus on and off the court needed to equate to the mental toughness Hale knew Bachynski possessed. In the six games following his “attitude adjustment,” Bachynski averaged double figures in scoring, more than seven rebounds and two blocks and has not looked back in the two years since.

“We’ve always contended that (Jordan) has the talent quotient,” Sendek said of Bachynski’s improved play. “He has some special gifts and talent, things that nobody can teach. As much as anything for Jordan, it’s just going through that learning curve and understanding exactly what it takes and I think that light is starting to shine more brightly for him.”

With five games remaining before the post-season and hopes of the Big Dance gleaming in ASU’s collective eye, every player will need to be at his respective best for the Devils to earn a NCAA tournament birth. However, their chances to make noise will depend on Bachynski’s skills.