Devils defeat Nevada in First Four, face TCU next
DAYTON, Ohio — Any doubt as to whether the Arizona State Sun Devils were deserving of an NCAA Tournament berth was put to rest in a hurry.
The Sun Devils (23-12 ) disposed of Mountain West representative Nevada 98-73 in a First Four showdown at the University of Dayton Arena on Wednesday night.
Now it’s on to Denver where the Sun Devils will face TCU at the Ball Center at 7:05 p.m. Friday.
It will be difficult for the Sun Devils to top their most recent performance, one in which they shot 63.6% (35for-55), the best field goal percentage in 133 NCAA tournament games played at the arena.
That bettered the previous mark of 63.3% by LaSalle (31-for-49) vs. Boise State on March 20, 2013.
“It was a complete performance for us,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said.
“You want to be playing this way at this time of year. That’s what it’s all about. I truly believe that our schedule and the games we’ve been in, especially late in the season, prepares you for these type of games. And it was across the board, just everyone contributed. Our defense was outstanding in the first half.”
Players admitted they maybe felt a little disrespected by being relegated to the play-in game but are taking it in stride and look forward to their shot against one of the Big 12’s best.
“Personally I definitely had a chip on my shoulder, but at the end of the day, that’s just the mentality that I have,” Desmond Cambridge Jr. said.
“I try to find things to keep me motivated. But I’m just happy to be here, so I’m not going to say I’m not grateful for the opportunity. But yeah, I did kind of feel disrespected that we’re in this First Four. But at the end of the day, I’m grateful, and we came and did what we were supposed to do, so next game.
D.J. Horne, who led all scorers with 20 points, agreed.
“I kind of felt like it was a little disrespect, but just happy to be here, happy for our opportunity, and I’m just glad that we won the game. Ready for the next one,” he said.
ASU led after 20 minutes 53-26, with the 53 points marking the most in half by ASU this season.
The 53 points also marked the second-most in a half in school history in a tournament game behind the 54 the Sun Devils scored against Arkansas in 1991 in a 97-90 loss.
The biggest ASU lead was 30 points at 56-26 in the opening seconds of the second half. Nevada was not able to get closer than 19 points.
Duo had extra motivation
The biggest storyline of the night was the presence of two former Nevada players in the ASU starting lineup in Cambridge Jr. and Warren Washington, both of whom came to Tempe over the summer.
Cambridge ended up with 17 points and six assists and Washington added nine points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.
“It was cool. You know, but at the end of the day, I didn’t care who we were playing today. I’m just out here to play basketball.
“Yeah, that’s all I have to say on that,” Cambridge said.