A better Bachynski
His focus, confidence rise, along with stats
From his seat on the Arizona State bench, Stan Johnson on Monday night noticed something different about Jordan Bachynski. The Arizona State senior center seemed more focused.
“From the jump, you could see that he was a different guy,” said Johnson, in his first season as an ASU assistant coach. “And he’s been terrific all season, but (against Marquette) he was different. The way he blocked shots, how he stepped up, everything was different.”
Through six games, Bachnyski has been one of the bigger positives in ASU’s undefeated start. His performance — with the backcourt contributions of sophomore Jahii Carson and transfer Jermaine Marshall — has industry experts rethinking the Sun Devils’ chances in the Pac-12. In short, they look like a contender.
ASU already is picking up votes in Top 25 polls and could receive a boost with a strong performance in the Wooden Legacy holiday tournament in Southern California. ASU opens tonight against No. 20 Creighton. Other teams participating: Miami, George Washington, Marquette, Cal State-Fullerton, Charleston and San Diego State. Whatever happens, Bachynski likely will play a significant role in the outcome.
Before the season, coach Herb Sendek said the 7-foot-2 senior could be an All-Pac-12 center, but he wanted to see improvement. So far, Bachynski is on pace, someone who no longer can be considered just a shot blocker.
In six games, Bachynski has posted six double-doubles, averaging 14 points and 11.8 rebounds. The rebounds double last season’s production, when he averaged a careerhigh 5.9 per game. Entering tonight’s contest, Bachynski is the Pac-12’s third-best defensive rebounder. From where he started four years ago, Sendek isn’t sure there’s a more-improved player in the country. And he has room to grow. Johnson said Bachynski’s biggest change has come at practice, during which coaches have worked with him to adopt a physical mindset in everything he does.
Johnson said he has told him: “You have to be dominant in every rep. You have to play with force. You can’t be 7-2 and be soft. The toughness from our team is going to come from you.”
Then there’s the shot-blocking. Bachynski, who blocked seven in the Marquette win, averages 4.8 per game, which ranks fourth nationally. But he also deserves credit for the attempts he doesn’t get.
“He alters shots. He changes shots,” Marquette coach Buzz Williams said.
Said Johnson: “Not only that, but how many times does a guy drive and maybe he passes where (in other games) he’d go in there and get a layup? Some guys are getting in the When: 9 p.m. Where: Titan Gym, Fullerton, Calif. TV/radio: ESPN2/KTAR-AM (620). ASU update: The Sun Devils (6-0) are coming off Monday’s 79-77 win over No. 25 Marquette. ASU’s 1.8 assist-turnover ratio ranks seventh nationally. PG Jahii Carson (23 ppg) has 32 assists and 15 turnovers. G Jermaine Marshall (16.7 ppg) is shooting 43.6 percent from 3point range. As a team, ASU shoots 49.4 percent from the field and 40.9 from the arc. Creighton: The Bluejays (4-0) are coming off Saturday’s 82-72 victory over Tulsa. All-America F Doug McDermott (27.5 ppg, 8.0 rebounds) is among the nation’s more-efficient scorers. F Ethan Wragge (11.3) and G Austin Chatman (11) also are double-digit scorers. Creighton shoots 53.5 percent from the field and 46 from 3-point range. PG Grant Gibbs (23 assists, five turnovers) doesn’t make many mistakes. paint and they’re not even shooting. Jordan’s presence is changing who we are.”
Bachynski credited his summer experience with the Canadian national team for his improvement. He also said he’s not satisfied.
“I still feel like I have a ways to go,” he said.
“(But) I’m playing with a new confidence that I’ve never had before, and that’s the biggest thing for any basketball player.”