Devils in Detail
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ASU Basketball: Sun Devils’ 2018-19 Season in Review

By Trevor Booth

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 22: The Arizona State Sun Devils bench look on in the final minutes of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 22: The Arizona State Sun Devils bench look on in the final minutes of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils yells to his team during the first half of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils yells to his team during the first half of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

What Could’ve Been Better

In conversations with peers, the phrase ‘if only’ recurs plenty when discussing this ASU team. So, let’s start with recent history.

If only — the Sun Devils beat Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. ASU overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to take a nine-point advantage in the second, but couldn’t hang on to it.  The Sun Devils missed free throws and committed defensive errors down the stretch, helping the Ducks send the game to overtime and eventually win it.

If ASU emerged victorious, it receives a spot in the conference championship and likely beats Washington, who lost by 20 to the Ducks the following night. That could’ve helped provide a higher seed and avoid a team like Buffalo in the first round.

If only — the Sun Devils didn’t lose to Princeton, Vanderbilt or Washington State. That certainly would’ve boosted their NCAA Tournament and Pac-12 standing — and perhaps mental confidence — in a season often twisted by inconsistency.

Now, having Remy Martin and Luguentz Dort injured in the NCAA Tournament certainly doesn’t help. However, injuries can’t be controlled.

The bottom line is, ASU had plenty of opportunities they could’ve taken, but often didn’t. – TB

A year ago, perimeter shooting was the basis of the ASU offense. This time around, it was the Sun Devils’ Achilles’ heel. The team shot 3-of-22 from deep in its Round of 64 loss to Buffalo. Acquiring more perimeter-centric players will be essential in the future.

But less than 24 hours removed from that loss, the quick-twitch reaction is that the Sun Devils struggled with injuries more than they ever had under Hurley. Remy Martin (ankle) and Rob Edwards (back) were limited in the early portion of the season and Romello White (ankle) played shortened minutes down the stretch.

However, Martin (groin) and Luguentz Dort (hip) both were injured in the week leading up to the Round of 64 and were not the same-caliber players against Buffalo.

At full strength, it’s possible ASU advances further in the Pac-12 Tournament, receives a different seed or plays Buffalo tougher. – ZP

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