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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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DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: De’Quon Lake #32 of the Arizona State Sun Devils (L) celebrates with teammates after defeating the St. John’s Red Storm 74-65 in the First Four of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 20, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: De’Quon Lake #32 of the Arizona State Sun Devils (L) celebrates with teammates after defeating the St. John’s Red Storm 74-65 in the First Four of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 20, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Should This Be Considered a Successful Season?

Taking everything into account, this was a successful season for ASU. Yes, it could’ve been more, but any time progress is made — especially in an evolving program — it should be considered prosperous.

I’ve only covered this team for two seasons, but watching it compete in this weekend’s NCAA Tournament game felt unprecedented. It’s because it was. The program went to the Big Dance in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1980-81, and even though it didn’t win, those are the games it should be competing in.

It is frustrating (I know) when the team can’t execute the same way against inferior opponents. It should be unacceptable. But like all things, triumph is built through progress and evolution. Although small, ASU achieved both in 2018-19.

The Pac-12 will be better next season, and the Sun Devils should be, too. Next year will be a big measuring stick, and further progress will make this one feel even better. – TB

This was a successful season and there should be no debate. Projected to finish sixth in the Pac-12, ASU ended up as the regular season runner-up. In doing so, it won 12 conference games, four more than it previously had under Hurley and also finished with 23 wins.

Three players received all-conference recognition with Zylan Cheatham being to named the first team while Luguentz Dort was the only freshman among the 15 players chosen. Dort was also named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

More. ASU Basketball: Oats, Buffalo get the best of Sun Devils. light

In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to point fingers and claim that the 2018-19 was a letdown. To amend that, it was a frustrating way to end the year for ASU, but this program took another big step under Hurley. – ZP 

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