ASU Basketball: Sloppy play, failed execution returns in loss to Colorado

Even after its best Pac-12 win, ASU basketball proved erratic play is a present issue, and that doesn’t bode well for its NCAA Tournament chances.

There is one way Remy Martin knows how to play basketball: Uninhibited.

While the typical point guard may restrict to running sets and playing stable defense, Arizona State’s 6-foot dynamo has his own pace. That includes a plethora of no-look assists to his teammates, and sometimes, 3-pointers early in the shot clock that will make Bobby Hurley scream ‘No!’ before they go in.

With 15 minutes remaining in last night’s game, all Martin had to do was be himself. ASU was up five, ready to take control on Colorado’s home floor. After Luguentz Dort collected an outlet pass from Zylan Cheatham, Martin was the trailer of a transition burst, leaving one of his premature but certain triples open for opportunity.

But instead of his typical, unrestrained aptness for the dagger – a shot that would’ve likely given the Sun Devils an 8-point lead and a critical extension to a 10-2 run – ASU’s spark plug hesitated. And in betting against his tendencies, he traveled.

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Just like that, all of the Sun Devils’ momentum – a force likely strong enough to change the result in a 77-73 defeat – was gone. The Buffaloes went on a 7-0 run to take the lead, and the ‘Mr. Hyde’ of ASU’s jagged season reared its unlovely form, unable to recover.

Although Martin’s violation was the start, it certainly wasn’t the only reason his team lost last night. Prior to building its advantage, ASU produced a balanced first half, shooting 12-of-24 from the field and working inside-out with Romello White, who had eight points in the opening period.

By the second frame, the Devils did what they’re good at – wearing the opponent down. They quickly closed a 20-14 halftime rebounding deficit with five offensive boards in the first five minutes. With Colorado forward Evan Battey out with an injury, it appeared ASU would take over after a hook from White built its lead to 44-39.

But after Martin’s turnover, the pace was never the same. Defensively, the Sun Devils lost focus – baiting in rotations and failing to pick up ball reversals – which allowed the Buffaloes to shoot 14-of-25 (56 percent) from the floor and 4-of-9 (44 percent) from downtown. In perspective, Colorado is the conference’s 11th-best 3-point shooting team, making 31 percent of its outside shots.

Of all the plays, none matched a lapse with seven minutes remaining. Following a 3-pointer from Martin to cut the deficit to 56-54, ASU shut off multiple driving lanes in Colorado’s ensuing offensive possession. But with three seconds left, Cheatham jumped on a ball fake from Shane Gatling, allowing a buzzer beater to boost the Buffalo lead – and confidence – back to five.

On offense, the Sun Devils reverted to their old ways, and not in a good manner. They shot 13-of-34 (38 percent) in the second half and 9-of-15 (60 percent) from the free throw line, looking to make up its deficit in a single possession.

Perhaps most importantly, ASU assisted only five of its 13 field goals, and only 11 of its 25 total shots made. On the season, when the Sun Devils assist less than 50 percent of their field goals, they are 2-5.

For some reason, this is becoming a common trend. Despite its best in-conference shooting performance against Washington – a team that hadn’t lost in 12 games – the Sun Devils still self-destructed when a challenge approached. It’s hard to say why, but shortly after winning four of five, the team has since lost three of five.

Here’s some good news: In terms of NCAA Tournament hopes, last night wasn’t a killer. Colorado was a Quadrant 2 opponent, and thanks to its four-game win streak, the Buffaloes are trending toward Quadrant 1.

But – ASU isn’t doing itself any favors, either. It still has four of its final six contests on the road, including Saturday’s clash with Utah. If the Sun Devils fall to the Utes, they would likely need to win out or take the Pac-12 Tournament to have a chance at the postseason.

While the wins could happen, it’s still hard to predict how ASU will finish. They may have the highest ceiling of any team in the Pac-12, but they need to prove it in these final six games.