by: Griffin Bennett
Once a tough game for any team, this year’s version of head coach Herb Sendek’s team is definitely struggling. At 6-13 (2-5) this year, the Sun Devils are 288th and 289th in scoring and rebounding nationally, respectively. That’s really bad. On top of that, they only scored 43 points against another poor team in Utah last Saturday. I almost feel bad for them… almost.
Their leading scorer, Trent Lockett (13.9), has been out for the last two games and is questionable for the game against the Huskies. He was a real breakout player last season and it can be nothing but good news if he’s out.
Their second leading scorer this season, Kaela King (13.7), has left the team entirely. It’s just not the Sun Devil’s year. At guard, that leaves Carrick Felix (10.7 ppg), Chanse Creekmur (5.4), and Chris Colvin (5.7) holding down the fort. Like I said, it’s just not the Sun Devil’s year.
Felix is an explosive athlete at 6-6 and, without Lockett in the line up, is their best scoring option. Look for him and Ross to go one-on-one almost the entire night. Colvin is their default point guard averaging a 3.1:3.0 assist/turnover ratio. Creekmur scored 24 points against Oregon State when he caught fire from deep shooting 6/7. In the two games since then he has scored zero points while playing 66 minutes. I’m not too worried about him.
In the post it doesn’t get much better. Ruslan Pateev, the seven footer from Russia, will square off with Aziz at center in an international clash of the ages. Pateev has struggled this year averaging only 14 minutes a game at 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. Alongside Pateev will be sophomore Kyle Cain and freshman (from Denmark) Jonathan Gilling. Cain was a highly touted recruit who has under performed and I have never even heard of Gilling before.
Projected Starters:
ASU
Chris Colvin – 6-2
Chanse Creekmur – 6-5
Carrick Felix – 6-6
Jonathan Gilling – 6-7
Ruslan Pateev – 7-0
UW
Abdul Gaddy, 6-3
Tony Wroten Jr., 6-5
Terrence Ross, 6-6
Desmond Simmons, 6-7
Aziz N’Diaye, 7-0
Note: I’m assuming that Trent Locket is not starting, if that wasn’t obvious.
Keys to the Game:
- Pace – It doesn’t get more different than between these two teams. The Huskies lead the conference with 62.7 field goal attempts per game and the Sun Devils are dead last with only 46.5. ASU will look to slow down the game to a snail’s pace and limit possessions. UW needs to get out on the break and run.
- Rebounding – Perhaps this needs it’s own post, but the Huskies are DOMINATING the boards this season. They are first in the conference in RPG and 8th in the nation. It was a real concern of mine to begin the season and now it has become the biggest strength of this team. ASU is 10th in the conference in rebounding so the Huskies need to assert their dominance.
- 3-point Shooting – ASU and Sendek love the zone and without Wilcox, this team is limited in perimeter scoring options. Look for ASU to be in a lot of zone which means Ross/Gaddy/Gant need to be on point from deep. Tony, please notice how I did NOT mention your name.
Tags: Arizona State, game preview
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When I was doing my preview for the game over at UWDawgpound I was looking at a few box scores and one thing that I noticed is that this Gillies guy is a decent outside threat, just a little bit of background on the guy.
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We are all pretty knowlegeable people on here, basketball-wise at least, so, for the love of God, PLEASE stop using number of rebounds as any kind of indicator of rebounding prowess. Rebounds are entirely dependent on the tempo of the game (and as you’ve indicated Huskies lead the conf in FGA and ASU is last). Say it with me: Offensive and Defensive Rebounding Percentages.
UW is undeniably good at offensive rebounding, but they’re something like 180th nationally in defensive rebounding, which is not good at all. However, you don’t need KenPom to tell you this – it’s obvious when you’re just watching the games. Often, UW’s best offense is throwing the ball to the basket and someone will be there with a put back, while our opponents are not limited to one shot themselves and get multiple opportunities. -
Yeah we’ve been out-rebounded several times this season, but if ASJ can continue what he did in his debut, we should be a lot better on the defensive glass. This is also a great game I think for ASJ. Given the level of competition, I think he can try to do some more on offense.
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griffin, I’m not sure I agree that Aziz has a match up advantage. Rotating 7′ers at him is not in his unathletic favor.
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Hey, I get that, 8080. It is definitely all about pace. I was just commenting on the fact that without a true power forward and lot of young pieces, many of us were worried about rebounding coming into this season.
Our rebounding percentage this season is 53.6. That’s good enough for 46th in the nation and second in the conference.
Our offensive rebounding percentage is 38.7 which is good for 18th in the nation and 1st in the conference.
Is that not FAR better than where you thought they were going to be? Also, I would definitely consider that a strength.
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@Sammy – That’s entirely possible. Pateev and Bachinski don’t impress me and I think Aziz can have a good game against both.
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It would seem, from this odd outsider’s perspective, that your Purple Lap Dogs are in a tussle with lame arse asWHO.
Perhaps Romer’s team was looking ahead to their matchup with Arizona. Eh.
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I am abso-LUTE0-ly shocked! Shocked beyond belief. Yet, the halftime scoreboard reads:
asWHO 24
Washington 22
What gives Huskie minions. Eh. Because other than the Men of Troy, the Sun Devils are the worst squad in the WEAK PAC-12. Eh.
Yeah, yeah there’s still twenty minutes left of conference game action in Tempe. Still, no way Hose should Romer’s team be down at the break.
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By the way, HALF of the Huskie fanhood over at the Seattle Times should abso-LUTE-ly be put on SUICIDE watch. lmao
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Link to the game: http://www.justin.tv/sports3669#/w/2517361280
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Eleven minutes left in this WEAK PAC-12 hardwood encounter and I can tell by the stat’s, that Washington isn’t/wasn’t focused for this game.
In other words, Romer’s team came with their C game tonight. Of course, most conference squads can play their C+ game and still defeat the Sun Devils this season.
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