Devils in Detail
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ASU Basketball: Why the Women Need to Sweep Washington Games

By Sam Ficarro

Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU basketball women’s team begin their trip to Washington Friday versus Washington State. To help tournament resume, Arizona State need to win both games.

The Sun Devils begin their final road stretch of the regular season Friday versus Washington State.

Arizona State’s three-game road trip contains games against Wazzu, Washington Sunday and Arizona February 17.

While the Sun Devils are a safe bet to make the NCAA Tournament, they would like to boost their resume.

In the latest ESPN women’s basketball bracketology, Charlie Creme listed ASU as a No. 7 seed and in the same quadrant as Notre Dame, a perennial Final Four contender.

That would be far from ideal for the Sun Devils, who were as high as a No. 4 seed in the first reveal by NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Committee in January.

Arizona State would like to build off a win versus Oregon last Sunday and get hot heading into March.

ASU has a chance to add some signature wins with a meeting versus Washington Sunday and versus UCLA in the regular-season finale on February 26.

If ASU could win both of those games, and have a deep run in the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament, they could get back in the picture as a Top 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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That’s why this weekend’s game are crucial for ASU.

Washington State is a depleted squad with their three best players, Borislava Hristova, Louise Brown and Chanelle Molina injured.

Arizona State defeated Washington State the first time around 68-49 in an emotional afternoon game.

Molina suffered a torn ACL in that game and since then it’s been a struggle for the Cougars. Washington State is 2-4 since the previous meeting.

ASU should beat WSU with a rematch with Washington looming Sunday.

Kelsey Plum went off for the Huskies scoring 34 points in a 65-54 Washington win.

With the young guards having seen them before, the Sun Devils should be better prepared to face Plum and the nation’s best rebounder, Chantel Osahor.

ASU really needs to win both of this games to at least remain in striking distance for a Top-4 finish in the Pac-12 (top four teams get a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament) and to at least hold fifth place in the standings.

With Kelsey Moos cleared to play, she could provide ASU a boost if she does play this weekend. Moos has been out since suffering a foot injury on New Year’s Day.

Next: ASU WBB: Arizona State vs. Washington State Preview

Arizona State has a chance to peak at the right time after being worn down last season. Time to see if they can capitalize on their remaining opportunities.