Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Don’t Underestimate the Devils in Vegas

By Zach Pekale

Feb 4, 2017; Corvallis, OR, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley walks off the court after defeating the Oregon State Beavers 81-68 at Gill Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Corvallis, OR, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley walks off the court after defeating the Oregon State Beavers 81-68 at Gill Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU Basketball fell to Arizona 73-60 in the final regular season game. Despite the loss, the Sun Devils should not be taken lightly at the Pac-12 Tournament.

Throughout the season, ASU basketball has been one of the more predictable teams in the country, relying heavily on perimeter shooting, transition points and stellar guard play to win games.

While a 14-17 record might not raise any red flags to the fans of opposing conference teams, the Sun Devils are poised to be a threat at the Pac-12 Tournament. As a program that has not deviated from what works offensively, predictability could be one of ASU’s strengths.

The Sun Devils have made 309 3-point shots in 2016, averaging just under 10 per game and start four players who shoot at least 36 percent from deep. Needless to say ASU is one of the more potent 3-point shooting teams in the nation.

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In games against top-10 opponents Oregon, UCLA and Arizona, Arizona State held its own and threatened all three teams. ASU lost by 1 in Eugene and was within single digits at home against the Wildcats and Bruins.

Most importantly, ASU has several veterans in Tra Holder, Kodi Justice and Shannon Evans II. All three possess a skillset that could allow them to take over a game. As upperclassmen, the trio of guards are the established leaders of the Sun Devils and are capable of carrying the team to an upset over a higher seeded team.

After losing to Arizona, ASU’s seeding is undetermined as the team finished 7-11 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils will play next on March 8 in the opening round of the Pac-12 conference tournament.

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