With only two games left in the regular season, ASU basketball looks to finish on a high note against the California Golden Bears Thursday night.
Coming off a deflating defeat against Oregon State last Saturday, the Sun Devils now sit at 19-9 on the regular season and 7-9 in Pac-12 play with ASU preparing to take on the Pac-12’s worst team in Tempe.
The Sun Devils have already bested the Bears once this season in Berkley, defeating them 81-73. For the Sun Devils, Thursday’s matchup should be seen as an opportunity to get back to the basics and establish a rhythm heading into the Pac-12 tournament.
Head coach Bobby Hurley must find a way to dictate the pace of Thursday night’s game to build the confidence of his team. Only two Sun Devils scored in double digits against the Beavers and the team only shot 43 percent from the floor, something ASU must improve against Cal.
Luckily for ASU the Bears have been unable to stop Pac-12 opponents form hitting the three this season. A feat which could be considered the Sun Devils greatest asset. Opponents are shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc in conference play and the Bears have struggled to stop anyone on defense.
For ASU, this game is a must-win-by-double-digits for a few reasons. The Bears have the 314th overall defensive rating in the nation. The Bears defense is something ASU must dismantle to show they still have that non-conference magic in their back pockets.
The second reason ASU must win against Cal is to avoid a sub .500 record in Pac-12 play. To start a season 12-0 with a ranking as high as No. 3 in the nation and then go below .500 in conference play would be devastating to this team’s confidence heading into March Madness.
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While on paper this should be an easy victory for ASU, nothing is ever guaranteed. The Sun Devils must execute their half court offense against the Bears and find ways to score in transition if they are to have any hope in post-season play