With uncertainty and questions about ASU basketball, the Sun Devils made the tournament and will play the Syracuse Orange in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
The Sun Devils were the second-to-last team admitted into March Madness and have a chance to make up for lost ground. ASU’s first act of everyone’s favorite time of year comes against the Syracuse Orange.
The Orange have been coached by the legendary Jim Boeheim since 1976 and are one of the NCAA’s most notorious basketball programs. After a short one-year absence from the Big Dance, the Orange and their stalwart defense is back.
Syracuse is led by a three headed dragon of long, versatile players. The first of which is Tyus Battle. The 6-foot-6 sophomore guard has the skillset of an NBA player and the athleticism to match.
Battle is the Orange’s best scorer. He is averaging 19.8 points per game, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists and has put himself in ACC Player of the Year contention.
Behind Battle is Frank Howard. Howard was a member of the 2015-16 Final Four team that fell to UNC. His experience and leadership is what makes him a leader.
Howard is leading the ACC in steals with two per game, and is fifth in assists per game (5.2). His length and know-how on the defensive end cause’s havoc for opponents.
The junior guard is also a capable scorer placing 13th in the ACC with 15.2 PPG.
Last and definitely not least is 6-foot-8 freshman Oshae Brissett. His greatest skill lies with his athleticism as the freshman is grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game and is a menace in transition.
His ability to hit from the outside (34.5 percent) creates much needed operating room for Battle.
The freshman has showed up against tournament level competition: Brisset scored 20 and 17 in two meetings with UNC, 16 at Miami, 14 at FSU, 17 versus Clemson and 25 against NC State.
Outside of these three players, ‘Cuse doesn’t pack much offensively. Their impact comes on the defensive end.
The vaunted 2-3 zone Boeheim runs is only allowing 64.5 PPG, good enough for 15th-best in the country. For ASU, this the last team they would want to face in the first round.
Zone defenses have been able to stop ASU’s offense consistently throughout the season and it will take a huge effort to advance to the Round of 64.
March is about the seniors, their poise and leadership is often what puts teams over the top.
Luckily for ASU, they have some of the best in the country. With Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice, ASU has the senior star power to win any game this March.
The X-factors for tonight’s game are Romello White and Remy Martin. The two first year players must be impactful on both ends of the floor if ASU is to get past the Orange.
Next: ASU Basketball: Romello White is the key to success against the zone
This game marks the first step towards redemption for the Sun Devils. With the added motivation of this being the final time the senior trio suits up under the maroon and gold, it’s safe to expect the Sun Devil seniors to be ready to play in the biggest games of their lives.