ASU Basketball: Taking a look at the Sun Devils 5-0 start

The Ugly

Okay yes, the bad was mostly things that will not affect the Sun Devils going forward as Edwards returning to the team should solve both problems. While those problems will be a simple fix, the ugly is not as easy.

These are the problems that will be the achilles heel for ASU against some of the top teams in the nation – two of which the Sun Devils will see in the coming weeks.

Free Throw Shooting

The biggest and most glaring problem through five games has been the conversion rate from the free throw line, or the lack thereof. The Sun Devils currently sit at a team mark of 69 percent.

This percentage ranks ASU 187th in the nation as Hurley’s team continually struggles by leaving points on the board. The most glaring and recent example came in the team’s latest game against Utah State where the Sun Devils hit only 28 of their 42 attempts.

While the team percentage is down, the main struggles come from the two who get to the line the most in Dort and Cheatham. The two both have 42 attempts on the year while just converting at rates of 64 percent and 62 percent respectively.

Sharing the Ball

Missed free throws can often be attributed to one or two players such as Dort or Cheatham, but the team’s assist numbers reflect on the team as a whole.

After five games, ASU sits outside the top-200 in assist-to-turnover ratio at .96 and is tied at 155th for assists per game at 14.2.

The mark shows less of a willingness to share the ball and a team that is simply suited using their height in one-on-one situations. The Sun Devils possess the height to have an advantage on almost every team they play creating post up situations for every position.

While that may be true, the assist numbers do show a turnover-heavy offense with Dort being the leading offender at 17 turnovers compared to his 12 assists.

Out of all the numbers and stats mentioned above, only one truly matters.

5-0.

If the Sun Devils keep winning, it won’t matter whether it looks good, bad, or even ugly.

All stats mentioned above are accurate as of 11/27.