ASU Basketball: Alabama Edges Sun Devils

In Kansas City, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the ASU Men’s Basketball team in the consolation game.  This loss drops ASU to 3-2.

Just like last night’s game against Maryland (who beat Iowa State in the Championship Game), ASU had a late lead and watched helplessly as it slipped away.  The most obvious deficiency that popped out watching this game was free throw shooting.  The Sun Devils were 14-24 from the line.  Most of those misses came in the last ten minutes of the game while Alabama was surging and ASU was trying to keep pace with the Tide.  Conversely, Alabama was 26-29 from the free throw line and they were pretty clutch in the last few minutes of the game.

The Devils actually made four more 2 point field goals than Alabama, along with one less 3 point field goal.  The Devils even out-rebounded the Crimson Tide 35-32.  But the ten missed free throws were critical.

And as in last night’s close loss to Maryland, there was another disappointing finish in ASU’s last possessions.  Down by two with 30 seconds to play, senior forward Jon Gilling took a quick 3 point shot that missed terribly.  It was an air ball.  The shot choice itself was not bad, but Gilling rushed the shot, not getting his feet set.  Alabama chased down the rebound and ASU was forced to foul.  And of course, they made both of their free throws creating a desperate, hurried shot by ASU that missed.

Hopefully, after this week’s games against Maryland and Alabama, this ASU team will begin to learn how to come up with a good look at the basket in the closing seconds of the game when they really need it.  After the frustration of losing both of these games in the manner that they did wears off, the ASU coaching staff and players can still be optimistic about their season.  They have proven to themselves and to others that they can compete.  Like every other team, they’ve got to fine tune some things, get more consistent play from some people, etc.  But the foundation for a competitive squad is there.

It still appears that coach Sendek is still tinkering with the lineup.  For this game, freshman point guard Kodi Justice started in place for Tra Holder.  Justice got a lot of minutes.  And even though he doesn’t yet appear to be the scoring threat that Holder and Chance Murray probably are, Sendek looks pleased with how he handles the ball and runs the offense.  But the point guard story is probably not finished.

ASU is off until Saturday in Tempe when they play another non-conference game against Colgate.