ASU Basketball: Hurley’s recruits developing a new identity

ASU basketball’s roster is built by length and athleticism. Now three games into the season, the Sun Devils are turning their strengths into an identity.

You have to feel for Long Beach State’s Deishuan Booker and K.J. Byers.

After giving up an offensive rebound and slam to ASU’s De’Quon Lake in the first half, Booker turned his head toward the baseline official and froze. With his arms sulked to his side, his expression evoked an evident question – how do I stop this?

Two minutes later, Byers tried to receive a routine inbound pass – only a 6-foot-4, 200 pound Luguentz Dort was glued to his body. Trying to push forward, the mass of Byers’ upper frame couldn’t press the brick wall that was Dort’s chest.

With his path blocked, the pass overshot Byers, landing in the arms of 6-foot-8 Taeshon Cherry. As a 3-on-1 ensued, Byers could only fall back and pick up a personal foul. He denied Cherry’s layup attempt, but he couldn’t contest Dort and Kimani Lawrence grabbing the rim simultaneously while looking for a putback dunk.

The moment, although pointless, was one of many instances where the Sun Devils overpowered their opponent. In ASU’s 90-58 win on Monday night, they held the 49ers to 29 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers, adding more growth to a newfound identity.

“I’ve been hoping that we would get to the point that we could play defense like this,” Hurley said. “It’s always been part of what I think factors into winning completely, is being able to play both ends of the floor the best level you can.”

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Just three days after holding McNeese State to the lowest point total in the Bobby Hurley era (52), the Sun Devils nearly set a new record. At halftime, the ASU held the 49ers to 16 points on 6-of-31 shooting.

The fast pace and 10 forced turnovers gave the Sun Devil athletes a one-way ticket in transition, finding the free throw line 18 times and finishing 10 of their 12 goals inside the 3-point line.

“The defense is something we pride ourselves on,” said guard Remy Martin. “It’s definitely a different team. But I love this team.”

ASU’s defensive performance was arguably their best of the young season. The 49ers’ 29 percent shooting was even lower than the 45.9 percent and the 31.9 percent the Sun Devils allowed to Cal State Fullerton and McNeese State, respectively, showing how each game provides steady improvement.

The dominant defense gave way to a stranglehold on the glass, as ASU finished with a rebounding margin of +30, including 18 offensive rebounds to start second possessions.

“I feel like we were stronger, bigger, more athletic than them,” said forward Romello White. “Coach told us that earlier, and he told us to attack them in the paint, and I feel like we did that.”

White was one of six Sun Devil scorers that finished in double figures. Of the team’s 90 points, 44 came inside the painted area, a sign of the team prioritizing their game plan.

“We’re capable of doing that every game,” White said. “Everybody can get theirs in our offense. Nobody on the team is selfish – everybody gives each other a look.”

At 3-0, the Sun Devils match their mark from last season while extending their non-conference win streak to 16. With a trip to Las Vegas approaching, the results couldn’t be much better.

What stands out, however, is how big a difference one season can make. This is now Hurley’s team – not Herb Sendek’s. Where offensive output was once necessary, this year’s group makes it secondary.

After years of being undersized, ASU’s program has now cultivated a new identity – one that emphasizes brawn and tempo to break teams down. It’s the missing piece that might help them turn the corner.

“We have guys that want to pressure the basketball with Luguentz [Dort] and Remy Martin,” Hurley said. “We have lengthy wings that are very mobile – especially Zylan [Cheatham]. Some of the blocks from him early in the game were great, and then Lake – [he] is very intimidating around the basket with his blocks and with his defensive rebounding.

“There’s a lot of good components that you’d hope for in becoming a good defensive team.”

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