ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 13 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
3. Arizona State Sun Devils (14-6, 5-3 Pac-12) LW: 2
If Zylan Cheatham makes the front end of a one-and-one, or if Arizona State doesn’t commit eight turnovers in the first nine minutes of the second half in Saturday’s loss to USC, this rundown might have a different tone.
But in the end, a harsh reality remains.
The Sun Devils folded late in their 69-67 defeat to the Trojans, extending a 36-week drought without a road sweep in conference play. This time, a go-ahead 3-pointer from Bennie Boatwright kept the nail out the curse’s coffin.
Typically a second half performer, ASU’s demise began there. The Devils shot 8-of-30 (26.67 percent) in the final frame, allowing USC to build a 13-0 run and control the pace, even with Boatwright and Nick Rakocevic in foul trouble.
Aside from Remy Martin (10 points, seven assists), ASU was undoubtedly rushed in its decision making. Often viable scoring threats, Luguentz Dort, Rob Edwards and Kimani Lawrence combined for 25 points on 6-of-32 shooting. The trio also contributed 10 of ASU’s 15 turnovers, being unable to find comfort against ‘SC’s 2-3 zone.
Despite the offensive woes, the Sun Devils hung close thanks to 88 percent shooting (22-of-25) from the free throw line. Unfortunately for them, the late miss outweighed previous successes.
On Thursday, the Sun Devils defeated UCLA, 84-73, to pick up their first win at Pauley Pavilion since Jan. 17, 2009. Cheatham led the way in that game, posting nine points, five assists and 20 rebounds.
The Sun Devils return to Tempe this week for a rivalry matchup with Arizona. There, ASU will hope for the return of freshman sharpshooter Taeshon Cherry, who missed Saturday’s contest with concussion symptoms.
– Booth