ASU Basketball: Dayton return a redemption tour for Sun Devils

Back in the NCAA Tournament, ASU basketball will have to re-write history in a familiar location if the program hopes to advance.

Sitting at the podium of T-Mobile Arena on Friday night, Bobby Hurley confidently reiterated his stance moments after Arizona State’s semifinal loss to Oregon at the Pac-12 Tournament – a statement echoed by the fourth-year coach affirming the Sun Devils’ place in the NCAA Tournament.

Less than 48 hours and three revealed regions later, an ominous premonition indicated that 22 wins, including marquee victories over Kansas and Mississippi State, would not be enough.

Until it was.

With seven available bids remaining, the Sun Devils graced the screen of CBS’ Selection Show, sending ASU dancing for the second consecutive year, the program’s first invite in back-to-back seasons since 1980-81.

However, a return to the postseason comes at a price: Reappearing in Dayton at the First Four.

For the Sun Devils, UD Arena will forever be associated with Hurley’s first NCAA Tournament berth at ASU. It also doubles as the final resting place of ‘Guard U’, a moniker associated with the program’s 2017-18 team.

But, as ‘Guard U’ began to decompose, new life sprung from its roots and with it, an opportunity for redemption.

When Hurley’s team arrived in Dayton a year ago, the roster possessed a mere one game of prior postseason experience. Forced to organically gain exposure, the Sun Devils were sent packing by Syracuse.

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Now, despite only coaching two games in the Big Dance, Hurley is the more veteran coach in Wednesday’s matchup against Chris Mullin and St. John’s, though the Red Storm strike a startling resemblance to the ASU team from a season earlier.

Former ASU guards Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice guided the Sun Devils to a 12-0 start before sputtering to finish 20-12. In Queens, St. John’s opened the campaign 13-2 before an 8-10 mark in league play, losing in five of its past seven games, free-falling towards to the brink of the NIT.

Much like Hurley did with his seniors, Mullin heavily relies on Shamorie Ponds as his floor general, although four guards often occupy the floor for St. John’s at a time.

In addition to the junior, LJ Figueroa, Mustapha Heron and forward Marvin Clark II space the floor as prolific perimeter-scoring options. All four shoot above a 35 percent clip from deep and have hit at least 48 triples this year.

Unlike the Sun Devils of old, Mullin has several players with past experience. Clark II saw minutes at Michigan State while Heron and Justin Simon reached the NCAA Tournament with Auburn and Arizona.

For ASU, guard Remy Martin as well as forwards De’Quon Lake and Romello White are among the returning keys to success for the Sun Devils. Others include second-chance opportunities and forcing St. John’s into the paint denying the perimeter.

In terms of newcomers, ASU has quickly established itself with an identity, countering the one it took on a year ago. Hurley’s team, once built to outscore any opponent with his own undersized guards, plays gritty, defensive-minded basketball and capitalizes on chances.

White and Lake’s production has tailed off at the expense of Zylan Cheatham, a high-motor athlete specializing in defense. He ended the regular season as the only player in the league averaging a double-double.

In the backcourt, freshman Luguentz Dort and junior Rob Edwards play a unique style of ‘bully ball’ complementing the finesse that defines Martin’s game. Collectively, the Sun Devils hold a majority of the momentum heading into Wednesday morning.

The stage is set with redemption on the line for ASU. After an emotional loss in 2018, a win is the Sun Devils’ opportunity to re-write the narrative.