Duke pummeled ASU men's basketball in an exhibition game just a few weeks ago. Now, the Sun Devils sit at a healthy 4-1 with a rivalry win under their belt while also competing with one of the best teams in the country.
But in the team's season opener against Idaho State, the Devils still seemed to be going down a dark path. ASU escaped, only winning by seven against a team picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in the Big Sky preseason media and coaches poll. The Bengals shot just 25% from the field but stayed competitive thanks to the Sun Devils' sluggish offense.
"We were doing bizarre stuff out there on offense," said head coach Bobby Hurley.
The Sun Devils shot an abysmal 36% from the floor and just 29% from three. Hurley was also disappointed in the overall effort and lack of leadership.
"I thought we were soft out there," Hurley said. "There was no fight, especially in the second half."
Senior transfer guard Alston Mason from Missouri State acknowledged that they need to get better at being a team. With all of the new faces around the program, it has been difficult for the coaching staff to gel everyone together in such a short amount of time.
However, the Sun Devils’ woes seemingly evaporated through the next four games. ASU impressed against a solid Santa Clara squad on a neutral court, winning 81-74. The offensive output was much better as ASU shot 45% from the field and 42% from three.
Freshman forward Jayden Quaintance was quiet on offense but a presence on the defensive end, recording 13 rebounds and four blocks, making his block total 10 in two games.
Then came what is likely to be one of the most difficult games on the schedule: A matchup at then No. 6 Gonzaga. The Bulldogs were red hot after a 101-63 win over then No. 8 Baylor less than a week before the ASU game. The Sun Devils entered one of the toughest places to play as heavy underdogs, but posed a threat all game.
Senior Ball State transfer forward Basheer Jihad showed why he can be a focal point on the team, posting a game-high 22 points to match 10 rebounds. But the team's balanced scoring attack wasn’t enough to overcome Gonzaga’s star power. Arkansas transfer Khalif Battle had 19 points to help Gonzaga escape 88-80.
However, Hurley was able to draw some positives from the emotional loss.
"I think our players recognize that if we can compete and play against a team like that at this level, that there’s certainly a lot of hope that we can become a really good basketball team," Hurley said.
The Sun Devils bounced back a few days later beating GCU 87-76 thanks to a strong second half and a breakout performance from freshman guard Joson Sanon. Sanon finished with a career-high 21 points and shot 5-7 from deep to help Hurley notch his 200th win as a head coach.
Jihad, who finished with 18 points and five rebounds, attributed the recent success to a found team cohesiveness following the Idaho State game.
"We made a collective effort after the Duke game to try and come together more," Jihad said. "The leadership grew."
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The Sun Devils are 4-1 after a gritty win over St. Thomas. So far, the key to success is the balanced, deep roster. The team is structured with quality veterans and up-and-coming freshmen stars who can be a tough out for any opponent.
Offensively the Sun Devils have balanced their scoring attack. ASU has four players averaging double digits, works the paint and is effective from beyond the arc, something the team was missing the past few seasons.
READ MORE: Key additions boost ASU men's basketball offensive ceiling
Quaintance has struggled to find his footing on offense but has been a major contributor on defense averaging 3.4 blocks a game, good for sixth in the nation.
The nonconference schedule doesn’t get much easier. On Nov. 28 and 29, the Sun Devils will play a possible tournament team in New Mexico and either St. Mary’s or USC. ASU will also travel to Atlanta to play a neutral-site game against a ranked Florida squad on Dec. 14. The rigorous Big 12 looms large as well.
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Braccio and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at jkmccar2@asu.edu and follow @jackmccarthyasu on X.
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Jack is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in business. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at his high school paper.