Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Sun Devils Need One More Win Against Stanford

By Alyanna kathrine Harina

Feb 11, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils forward Obinna Oleka (5) dunks the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils forward Obinna Oleka (5) dunks the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kicking off the Pac-12 Tournament, the No. 8 seed, ASU Basketball, will look to avoid a one-game tournament appearance by defeating No. 9 Stanford one last time at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Sun Devils have recently been successful against Stanford, sweeping both games against the Cardinal this season.

ASU’s small-ball perimeter offense has proved to be more than enough against Stanford. The Sun Devils have gone 12-32 and 13-24 from the three-point line in their two games against Stanford, exploiting the Cardinal’s inability to defend the perimeter.

Both teams are entering the tournament with polar styles of basketball, with ASU’s ‘live by the three’ guard heavy style and Stanford playing the ball down low. Despite the season sweep, the Sun Devils will need to bring forward a nearly flawless offense in order to beat Stanford a third time.

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Senior guard Torian Graham will be a key player to watch for the Sun Devils. Graham, who has recorded a combined 54 points and 14 rebounds in his two games against Stanford and will look to be the catalyst for ASU’s offense once again.

Alongside Graham, junior guards Tra Holder, Kodi Justice and Shannon Evans II will also need to play as they have in the past against Stanford. Each of these guards’ ability to draw fouls and get to the line will be a huge factor for ASU. In their first game against Stanford, Holder went 10-12 from the line and Evans II 12-14.

In addition to hot shooting and drawing fouls, the Sun Devils will also look to slow down junior forwards Reid Travis and Michael Humphrey on the inside. Travis, who has recorded a combined 38 points and 19 rebounds in their games against the Sun Devils will likely give senior ASU forward Obinna Oleka a challenge in the paint.

Stanford, looking to avenge their regular season losses against ASU will likely take advantage of the Sun Devils’ glaring lack in size and attempt to counter ASU’s three-point ability by pounding the ball down low.

If history is on anyone’s side, it’s the Sun Devils’, with their only Pac-12 Tournament win since the tournament was moved to Vegas being against Stanford in 2013.

Next: Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Cheapest in the Nation

Catch the tip-off on the Pac-12 Network at 1:00 p.m. MST.

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