ASU Men’s Basketball: Sun Devils host NAU and UC Irvine in weekend slate
After a dominant second half that helped ASU men’s basketball pull away from SDSU, the Sun Devils will have the chance to show their hot start is no fluke.
Facing Northern Arizona University on Friday, and UC Irvine on Sunday will serve as a sample to further analyze the new look Sun Devils.
The weekend begins Friday with the NAU Lumberjacks traveling to Tempe for the Sun Devils’ third game of the season. Riding high off of what was an excellent victory, ASU looks stay unbeaten and improve to 3-0.
The Sun Devils have come out of the gates strong in their first two games, something the Lumberjacks have yet to experience. NAU has started the season off 0-2 falling to the University of Arizona 101-67, and being upset by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 82-70.
More from Devils in Detail
- Sun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma State
- Sun Devil Insight: Quarterback Room
- Arizona State Spotlight: Kenny Dillingham
- Arizona State 2023 Season Opener: Off To A Good Start
- Arizona State vs USC Prediction and Promo (Expect Offensive Fireworks)
The Lumberjacks have failed to recapture that 2014-15 brand of basketball that saw them finish 23-15. Only boasting one double-digit scorer, and a single player grabbing more than five rebounds a game has contributed to what has been an awful start.
Coming into Tempe and going up against one of the Pac-12’s hottest teams will be no easy task for head coach Jack Murphy’s Lumberjacks.
For ASU, this game should be seen as an opportunity to fine tune the little things on both offense and defense. Building chemistry and instilling good habits in the early season will yield massive returns in Pac-12 conference play.
Continued work with Romello White and De’Quon Lake on the floor at the same time is a must this weekend. The pairing will no doubt ensure and develop inside dominance ASU will need in the future.
Expect big minutes for Remy Martin against NAU. The true freshman point guard has shown he is willing to play intense defense and move the ball, two key ingredients of a winning culture.
The big test this weekend will be Sunday against UC Irvine. The Anteaters have started off their season 2-1 behind excellent play from big-man Tommy Rutherford and forward John Edgar Jr. The duo has been the driving force for UC Irvine this season.
Rutherford is averaging 12.7 points, 7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and is coming off a career high 19 points in their win over Chapman University. Edgar Jr. has also played well for the Anteaters scoring 10.3 points per game.
To pick up a win against the Anteaters, the Sun Devils must have White, Lake, and Vitally Shibel lock down the paint. Shutting down Rutherford will be the key to an ASU Victory.
The Sun Devils should thrive in transition and on the perimeter against UC Irvine. ASU will boast a huge advantage with senior guards Tra Holder (21.0 points per game/8.5 rebounds per game/7 assists per game) and Shannon Evans II. (19.5 PPG/5 RPG/4.5 APG) The dynamic duo should have complete control of this game facing a back court of all underclassmen.
Look for ASU to continue to develop their new found identity of ball-movement and ball hawking defense this weekend, and in turn continue their hot start in the Valley Of the Sun.
Next: ASU Men’s Basketball: Playing shorthanded, Sun Devils are thriving
Tip off of Arizona State-Northern Arizona is at 6 p.m. MT Friday with tip off of Arizona State-UC Irvine set for noon MT Sunday. Both games will be televised on Pac-12 Arizona.