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ASU Basketball: How Good Can the Women’s Team Be in March?

By Sam Ficarro

Jan 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne is presented with an award marking her 400th career win during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Wildcats won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne is presented with an award marking her 400th career win during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Wildcats won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an inconsistent Pac-12 play, ASU basketball women’s team head into March as healthy as its been since the start of the season. How dangerous is ASU?

ASU basketball women’s team head into the final weekend of the regular season in a different position then in year’s past.

After finishing 16-2 in Pac-12 play last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, injuries and youth have effected the team.

Currently Arizona State is sitting tied for fifth place at 8-8 in conference play, with ASU owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over Oregon.

Head coach Charli Turner Thorne expected ups and downs this season because of the youth in the backcourt and because of the injuries, Turner Thorne has also had to deal with rotating players to keep each one fresh.

The biggest impact injury has been forwards Jamie Ruden and Kelsey Moos.

Ruden was a part of this highly-touted freshman class, but she picked up a season-ending injury sidelining her since December.

Moos missed the majority of Pac-12 play after sustaining an injury versus Cal on New Year’s Day, but thankfully for the Sun Devils, she returned this past weekend versus Arizona.

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Turner Thorne is definitely excited to have her back and take some of the load off freshman Robbi Ryan, who appeared was getting fatigued.

Moos’ presence as a defender, three-point shooter, rebounder and emotional leader is attributes she brings night-in and night-out.

With Moos’ return, this is the healthiest ASU has been in the months, and it leads to the question of how dangerous could they be in March.

Last season, Arizona State peaked too early and they worn down once March hit.

This season, they appear to be fresher and healthier with forward Sophie Brunner and other key players no longer nursing nagging injuries.

Arizona State has one of the best defenses ranking second in the Pac-12 allowing 56.6 points per game.

With good defense leads to good offense.

The Sun Devils are beginning to gain confidence from the perimeter with the emergence of guard Sabrina Haines, who has scored in double digits in three of the last five games.

Along with Haines, guards Reili Richardson and Sydney Goodson have also improved their shooting from the perimeter.

Turner Thorne has said it’s difficult to win when there is no production from the perimeter.

With that said, the Sun Devils appeared to be gaining confidence at the right time.

They end the regular season this weekend versus USC and UCLA, and if they can at least split those games, the Sun Devils will have momentum heading to Seattle for the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Arizona State has a chance to be a real darkhorse in Seattle and in the NCAA Tournament.

Next: ASU WBB: Arizona State Wins “Biggest Game” of Their Season Against Arizona.

Stout defense can take you a long way. If the offense can support their defense, ASU will be in good position to do damage in March.