ASU Basketball: Loss puts tournament hopes in jeopardy

In a matchup of the No. 8 and No.9 seeds, ASU basketball was eliminated by Colorado in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament.

Frustration. Disbelief. Uncertainty.

All three are emotions that reached a boiling point in Arizona State’s 97-85 loss to Colorado.

In an era of one-and-done talents, NCAA postseason games are often an opportunity for four-year players to shine. However, on Wednesday it was freshman guard McKinley Wright who propelled Colorado past the Sun Devils with 20 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

While Wright led the charge, the Buffaloes had six players record at least 12 points and shot 62 percent from beyond the arc.

“When they’re shooting that well, they’re more dangerous,” said head coach Bobby Hurley. “I don’t know the exact percentages that they shoot, but I don’t think it’s anything like what they shot today.”

Despite shooting 48 percent from the floor and draining 13 threes, Arizona State could not overcome hot shooting and size challenges presented by the Buffaloes. ASU was out-rebounded 39-26.

Although the offense was consistent, seniors Tra Holder and Shannon Evans could get into a groove and were held to a combined 10-of-27 shooting. Freshman Remy Martin led the team with 20 points.

Additionally, Holder left the floor after receiving a technical foul with seven seconds remaining.

When the calendar turned to 2018 the Sun Devils were 12-1, and though fresh off a loss to Arizona, the program was being considered as a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Instead, a disappointing conference record and first-round exit at the Pac-12 Tournament have the Sun Devils’ tournament hopes residing with the selection committee.

Next: ASU Basketball: 2018 Pac-12 Tournament Roundtable

“We can’t make the mistakes that we made. It cost us,” said Evans. “We have to prepare because no matter what, we are playing postseason somewhere, so we have to look for that in the big picture.”

All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.