ASU Basketball: Non-Conference Schedule in Review

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 21: John Knight III #3 of the Utah State Aggies and Remy Martin #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils battle for a loose ball during the second half of the championship game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona State won 87-82. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Biggest Strength

The Sun Devils have many talented players, making it difficult to point out one strength that rises above the rest.

While their length has helped tab the team as “Big Guard U” – a play on last year’s Guard U nickname – it isn’t the team’s main strength.

So, what is?

Versatility.

It has allowed ASU to win games through a variety of play styles and key players. The evidence of this comes from five different players leading the Sun Devils in scoring through 12 non-conference games.

At the top is freshman sensation Luguentz Dort, who has led the team in scoring in five of 12 games. Trailing him is Remy Martin (3) and Kimani Lawrence, Romello White, and Zylan Cheatham (one each).

Whether it’s pounding the ball inside to White or having Remy Martin pull up from 18 feet, the Sun Devils have the players to match up against almost any team.

Another impressive note is that the Sun Devils have had five or more players score in double-digits in four of the team’s 12 games. When they do that, they’re hard to beat – as shown in the team’s upset of No. 1 Kansas a week ago.

While the team is far from perfect, they have strength in numbers. The scary part is they’re just getting healthy.

With Martin getting back to full strength and Rob Edwards returning to form, ASU should continue to be more versatile.

– Cody Whitehouse

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