One week in, 5 things to know about Sun Devils
It was a good time to catch Bobby Hurley. The Arizona State basketball coach on Friday was in between practices. The Sun Devils had started early that morning, on the court at 6:30 a.m. After a break, they were back at it at 12:30 p.m.
This is a big season for ASU. Entering Hurley’s third year, the Sun Devils have a roster that could put them in position to compete for the program’s first NCAA Tournament since 2014. They have solid guards in seniors Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice.
Perhaps more important, they have size, which should help improve last season’s interior defense that ranked among the worst in the country. Redshirt-freshman Romello White – a 6-8 forward – is expected to be a difference-maker.
Five things to know as the Sun Devils start their second week:
They survived the initial week without major health issues
The first week is always physical with lots of running, and that’s a concern for coaches. To start, the Sun Devils practiced twice on Friday and Saturday, once Sunday. Hurley gave them Monday and Tuesday off to “recover from the initial burst” then scheduled one practice Wednesday and Thursday before doubling up on Friday.
Only concerns: Junior guard Rob Edwards – who has to sit out this season because of NCAA transfer rules – had a hip issue that kept him out two days. And freshman guard Remy Martin had a groin problem that kept him out of live action.
Freshman Kimani Lawrence could help right away
Lawrence is something ASU has lacked: A 6-7 forward with position versatility. A four-star high school prospect from Rhode Island, Lawrence could play scoring guard in big lineups and power forward in small lineups.
He has a natural feel that should help offensively and length that should help defensively. “Kimani has come on, especially for a freshman,” Hurley said. “He’s finding his niche in our offense and he really does a lot of things – getting to his spots, being able to finish, offensive rebounding.’’
Practices are more competitive
This was a problem last season. At times, because of injuries and other issues, ASU’s first team had to practice against non-scholarship players. That shouldn’t be a problem this year. In addition to Edwards – Cleveland State’s leading scorer last season – forwards Carlton Bragg (Kansas) and Zylan Cheatham (San Diego State) also have to sit out this season because of transfer rules, which gives ASU a pretty strong scout team.
Having strong seniors goes a long way
With its summer trip to Rome and Barcelona, the Sun Devils already had a head start. But having seniors like Holder, Evans and Justice also helps. Last year ASU had two seniors – guard Torian Graham and forward Obinna Oleka – in difficult positions. Given their late arrivals (both were transfers), they had to prove themselves as individuals, while also elevating the team. That’s difficult to do.
The big men likely will determine ASU’s success
White likely will be the key to ASU’s season. An academic redshirt out of high school, the four-star prospect is the post presence the Sun Devils lacked last season.
Sophomore Ramon Vila (a position defender), redshirt freshman Vitaliy Shibel (a stretch forward) and juniorcollege transfer De’Quon Lake (good size at 6-10, 225 pounds) will need to develop quickly.