ASU Basketball: Five Reasons Why Men’s Basketball Will Bounce Back
By Zach Pekale
Following a 15-17 record and the departure of five players, including two transfers, Arizona State University’s Athletic Director Ray Anderson made a big statement by extending the contract of men’s basketball Head Coach Bobby Hurley through 2021.
Arizona State's Bobby Hurley will receive a one-year contract extension, source told @CBSSports. Official announcement expected soon.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 28, 2016
To some this may seem like a questionable decision given the lack of success the team had in Pac-12 play. However, it was Hurley’s first season in Tempe and the Sun Devils exceeded expectations in non-conference play, picking up victories against North Carolina State, Creighton, Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M.
These are just a few reasons why Hurley and the Sun Devils will rebound in a big way in 2016.
Recruiting
In his first full offseason, Hurley compiled a top-25 recruiting class. He addressed the team’s immediate needs of size and a go-to scorer with the additions of center Jethro Tshisumpa and small forward Sam Cunliffe.
2016 4-star C Jethro Tshisumpa -- who committed to ASU basketball in July -- says he will sign with the Sun Devils tomorrow.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) November 11, 2015
Tshisumpa is a dynamic shot blocker and the defensive presence that Arizona State lacked in the middle last season. Additionally, his aggressiveness and size will immediately enable him to compete against the top big men in the Pac-12.
Cunliffe is an athletic wing who will play guard and forward at ASU. He is a good shooter, excels at creating off the dribble and can get to the rim. He is the most highly ranked recruit the Sun Devils have signed since James Harden in 2007.
Cunliffe is also a proven winner, having led his high school, Rainier Beach High School, to the Washington State Class 3A Title.
ASU signee Sam Cunliffe, named tourney MVP, leads Rainier Beach to state title. https://t.co/cT12QcWVbm pic.twitter.com/23MOJ5y5Dm
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) March 6, 2016
Transfers
On top of his two prized recruits, Hurley also has guards Torian Graham and Shannon Evans to use after sitting out a year due to transfer rules. The pair of guards followed Hurley from Buffalo and are now eligible to suit up for the Sun Devils.
Graham has something to prove after a mid-season suspension in 2015. He can provide quality minutes off the bench and is a physical guard but his role has yet to take shape.
Evans has the potential to be the best player for the Sun Devils this season. He is a fearless floor general and creates offense both as a scorer and passer.
As a sophomore, Evans scored in double figures 28 times and was one of the leading forces that earned Buffalo its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. It is likely that he will replace Gerry Blakes in the starting lineup.
Leadership
Many successful college basketball teams are led by a dominant backcourt. While it would be bold to say the Sun Devils have a dominant backcourt today, it is accurate to say that they have a veteran backcourt.
Guards Tra Holder and Kodi Justice are back for their junior seasons and will be the veteran leadership of this team.
Holder will most likely retain his starting job at point guard and has somewhat increased expectations after showing large improvements over his first two seasons. His minutes should take a slight hit with the addition of multiple guards; however, this will benefit him by not having to force shots late in games.
Justice took a step back in shooting percentage last season but a lot of that came on him being relied on to keep the Sun Devils in games he started off hot. That won’t be the case again as Hurley has several effective offensive weapons. Justice will still provide a spark off the bench and can shoot from NBA range efficiently.
Home Court Advantage
Wells Fargo Arena may not be the largest or most glamorous college basketball venue, but Arizona State still creates a strong home-court advantage.
The six home losses the team suffered in 2015 look like a fluke after the Sun Devils only lost three true home games in the previous two seasons combined.
Between the Curtain of Distraction and four straight years of increasing student section attendance, Wells Fargo Arena will only become a tougher place to play.
Winning Mentality
As a player, Bobby Hurley won two National Championships at Duke University. His father, Bob Hurley Sr., has won the New Jersey State Title 27 times including four straight championships during Hurley’s high school career. In short, winning is in his blood.
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Buffalo had averaged fewer than 13 wins per season prior to the hiring of Hurley. In just two seasons, Hurley mustered together 42 wins, an NCAA Tournament berth and coached the conference player of the year twice.
Skeptics are going to be proven wrong because there is a reason Ray Anderson extended Hurley and that is because his competitive drive and desire to succeed are difficult to match.
To many, a 15-win season can be viewed as a step in the wrong direction. Make no mistake; Bobby Hurley has this team on this rise.