Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: A Season That can be Classified as a Success

By Alyanna kathrine Harina

Feb 12, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley looks on against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley looks on against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wrapping up the season with the Sun Devils’ devastating 80-57 loss against No. 1 seed Oregon, a look back at the season shows ASU basketball moving in the right direction.

Finishing the season with a 15-18 over all record, 7-11 for the conference, and a two game run in the Pac-12 Tournament may not be the best season recap for a team, but for a Sun Devils’ team in a stage of rebuilding, the season can be classified as a success. Here’s why:

The Sun Devils’ Pac-12 Tournament run:

ASU’s 98-88 win against Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament is the first time the Sun Devils have won a game in the tournament since their win against Stanford in 2013. Not to mention that the Sun Devils’ tournament run ended at the hand of the No.1 seeded Oregon Ducks, in a display of what can only be described as a, seven-man team, on less than 24 hours of rest against a fully rested championship contending team. For ASU to end the drought this season against a favored Stanford team is a prime example that the program has grown significantly since the beginning of the season.

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The short-lived tournament run can easily be classified as a success for the Sun Devils.

ASU’s improved conference record:

In comparison to their 2015-2016 5-13 conference record, the Sun Devils, finishing 7-11 in the conference this season, are headed in the right direction, showing ASU’s ability to compete in a conference with top ranked teams like UCLA, Oregon and Arizona.

Despite their glaring lack in size the Sun Devils have contested well against big teams utilizing their line-up of four guards, who have been a challenge for teams to guard.

Having four play makers on the floor is one thing, but when those guards can shoot in open space, off the dribble, and even when contested as well as ASU guards Torian Graham, Tra Holder and Shannon Evans II can, it’s no surprise that the undersized ASU Sun Devils could contend with big teams as well as they had.

Growth in the front court: 

ASU’s lack of depth in the front court has been the biggest disadvantage for the Sun Devils this season. However, with their shortage of big men, ASU’s guards have been forced to improve their game inside the paint.

The Sun Devils ended the season with a big win against Stanford, a game played primarily on the inside. In their 98-88 win against the Cardinal, the Sun Devils’ three point game took a backseat to their front court presence, scoring only 30 points from the perimeter and recording 40 points from inside the paint.

The presence of designated big man Obinna Oleka was definitely a factor in the Sun Devils’ success in the front court; however, it’s been Justice’s inside game, driving to the basket, that has noticeably improved within just the past couple of games, turning him from solely being a shooter to an active guard across the floor.

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

Overall, the Sun Devils’ second season under head coach Bobby Hurley puts them in a good position moving forward as the program continues to welcome and cultivate talent.

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