Entering the final stretch of the regular season, ASU basketball went cold offensively in a 28-point blowout loss to Oregon.
Disdain. Disinterest. Doubt.
Backed by the momentum of a three-game winning streak, Arizona State fell victim to an adversary more difficult than any opponent faced to date.
Itself.
While the Sun Devils went into Eugene looking to remain above water on the NCAA Tournament bubble, it was Oregon, the tenth-place team in the Pac-12 standings, that exited Mathew Knight Arena victorious.
On Thursday, the Ducks played a style similar to ASU, beating coach Bobby Hurley‘s team at its own game. Oregon shot 49 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Sun Devils by 18 en route to a 79-51 win.
After averaging 82 points over its past three contests, ASU was held to a season-low 51 points. It shot 32 percent from the field, including a dry spell of 7:11 to close the game.
Sophomore guard Remy Martin led the team with 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
Offensive sets abundant with drive-and-kick opportunities and extra passes were replaced by low-percentage looks early in the shot clock. When the Sun Devils did find their rhythm, possessions were marred by missed free throws and turnovers.
ASU went 14-of-26 at the charity stripe and had seven assists, six from Martin, for the evening.
At times, it seemed as if ASU overlooked Oregon, a team in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Although coach Dana Altman is unlikely to return to the NCAA Tournament, his program has seven home losses in the past four seasons, making the Ducks a tough out anytime an opponent comes to Eugene.
Freshman forward Louis King recorded a game-high 19 points, creating shots on the perimeter and in the paint to stymie an ASU defense that is among the best in the conference. Junior guard Payton Pritchard added 18.
In a weak Pac-12 conference, a loss to the tenth place would normally sink a team on the bubble. But, Oregon is no ordinary tenth place team. If anything, the outcome was a missed opportunity for ASU.
The Ducks, rated No. 74 in the NET rankings, classified as a Quadrant 1 opponent.
Misleading? Yes.
However, ASU must now hope for the Ducks to stay hot while it attempts to salvage the weekend with a split. The Sun Devils return to action against Oregon State on Sunday.