Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: ASU Looks to Upset No. 1 Oregon in Quarterfinals

By Alyanna kathrine Harina

Feb 2, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) controls the ball between Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) and guard Tyler Dorsey (5) during the second half of the game at Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks won 71-70. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) controls the ball between Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) and guard Tyler Dorsey (5) during the second half of the game at Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks won 71-70. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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After coming away with the overtime win against Stanford, the Sun Devils advance to face No.1 Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals. ASU basketball will look to finally get the upset that just barely slipped their grasp during their 71-70 loss against Oregon earlier this season.

With three consecutive daggers from the three-point line, on back-to-back-to-back plays from ASU guards Shannon Evans II, Torian Graham and Kodi Justice, alongside the unstoppable force that was Obinna Oleka in overtime, ASU basketball is riding on the momentum of their win against Stanford.

The Sun Devils, who narrowly lost in their only meeting against the Ducks in February have proven that they have what it takes to go head-to-head against the top seeded team. ASU nearly matched Oregon in every offensive category during their last game, shooting 41.9% with Oregon shooting 43.9 percent and going 33.3 percent from the three-point line against Oregon’s 34.8 percent.

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On paper, their previous match-up puts the two teams on a pretty even scale, except for one Pac-12 Player of the Year, Dillon Brooks . What the Sun Devils can do to contain Brooks, who recorded 27 points against the Sun Devils, will be a deciding factor in ASU’s chances of winning.

“I think that was our game to win in Eugene,” junior guard Tra Holder said, “But down the stretch, Dillon Brooks took it over. He’s Player of the Year so we respect him. We’re going to watch him and see how we can correct our mistakes, so hopefully we’ll give ourselves a better chance to win.”

In addition to guarding Brooks, the Sun Devils’ guards will need to make like they did against Stanford in creating shots and drawing fouls. Junior guards Evans II and Justice will be two players to watch against Oregon. Evans II, who has recorded double-digit points in four of his last five games, matched a season high of 28 points against the Ducks and has been a consistent playmaker for ASU.

Alongside Evans II, Justice, who has taken a backseat to guards Holder and Graham, has recorded over 15 points in his last four games and has shot over 60 percent from the three-point line in two of those games. It’ll be crucial for the Sun Devils if Justice can bring forward that type of tenacity against Oregon.

Away from the guards, senior forward Obinna Oleka will be a menace in the front court for ASU. Oleka, who recorded nine rebounds against Oregon, is entering this game on the momentum of a season high of 27 points and 13 rebounds. If Oleka can hold his ground against Brooks and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Jordan Bell in the front court then it will give the Sun Devils the depth they’ll need against the Ducks.

Next: ASU MBB: Sun Devils Have More to Offer Moving Forward

Tip off between Arizona State and Oregon will be at 1:00 p.m. MST from T-Mobile Arena. The game can be seen on the Pac-12 Network.

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