Devils in Detail
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ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 3 Power Rankings

By Trevor Booth

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Taeshon Cherry #35 of the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona State bench react after the team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 72-67 in a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Taeshon Cherry #35 of the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona State bench react after the team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 72-67 in a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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FULLERTON, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Robert Franks #3 of the Washington State Cougars shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the Titan Gym on November 23, 2017 in Fullerton, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
FULLERTON, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Robert Franks #3 of the Washington State Cougars shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the Titan Gym on November 23, 2017 in Fullerton, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

11. Washington State Cougars

Much like other Pac-12 member schools, Washington State probably wants a do-over. In its second game of the season, Washington State fell to a mid-major Seattle, the first time that’s happened in 40 years.

Sure, the game was on the road, but that caliber of a loss is a tough pill to swallow.

What really decided the outcome of the game was poor shooting on the Cougars’ side. Compared to the Redhawks’ near-51 percent from the field, Washington State could not eclipse 30 percent shooting.

Another big issue for the Cougars in that game was the absence of forward Robert Franks. After scoring 31 points in a season-opening win over Nicholls State, the senior sat with a foot injury.

A year ago, Franks was among the Pac-12’s best players, averaging 17.4 points and 6.6 rebound per contest. For Washington State to get back on track, Franks’ return is pivotal.

Even if Franks is unable to go, it may not be an issue this week. The Cougars host Cal Poly and Delaware State, who possess respective records of 1-1 and 0-4.

Few teams attempting to compete take on a non-conference schedule quite as weak as Washington State.

Not once before Pac-12 play does WSU face a team ranked in the Associated Press Poll. Extending beyond that, the Cougars don’t play a team from a major conference until January.

– Carson Field 

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