Nov. 15, 2008
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Game Action
*With ASU having some experience and returning starters this year, the MVSU game was the first time that ASU didn't have a freshman in the starting lineup since Dec. 10, 2005, a 75-71 loss to Utah Valley State, a span of the past 87 games. In the previous three years nine freshman have earned 198 starts and 165 out of 320 start in the Herb Sendek 64 game-era entering MVSU game. In his first two years, ASU had freshmen make 51.6 percent of the starts. Sophomores made 68 starts (.213), juniors 51 (.159) and seniors 36 (.113). In 2006-07 ASU's 69 freshmen starts set the school record by 24 starts that the Sun Devils easily surpassed last year with 96 starts by Ty Abbott (34, an ASU freshman record), James Harden (33), Jamelle McMillan (16) and Rihards Kuksiks (13). In 2006-07, freshmen starts were made by Derek Glasser (21), Christian Polk (26) and Jerren Shipp (22).
*James Harden's 10 assists is the most by a player in the Herb Sendek era (now 65 games) and the most by a Sun Devil since Antwi Atuahene had 10 vs. Oregon on Feb. 11, 2006 (so most in past 71 games).
*James Harden's 24 points is the most by a Sun Devil in an opener since Ike Diogu also had 24 vs. Jackson State on Nov. 21, 2004.
MOST POINTS IN ASU OPENER (1987-88 to Present)
Jeremy Veal, Sr., 32, ASU 97, Cal State Northridge 91 (Nov. 16, 1997)
Tarence Wheeler, So., 29, Alabama 84, ASU 83 (OT) @ Richmond (Nov. 25, 1988)
Isaac Burton, Jr., 28, ASU 106, BYU 95 (Nov. 27, 1993)
Mario Bennett, Jr., 27, ASU 103, Texas A&M 73 @Maui (Nov. 21, 1994)
Steve Moore, Jr., 26, ASU 80, Arkanas-Little Rock 72 (Nov. 22, 2003)
Jeremy Veal, Jr., 25, ASU 111, Jacksonville 69 (Nov. 22, 1996)
James Harden, So., 24, ASU 80, Mississippi Valley State 64 (Nov. 14, 2008)
Ike Diogu, Jr., 24, ASU 79, Jackson State 48 (Nov. 21, 2004)
Ike Diogu, Jr., 24, ASU 80, Arkanas-Little Rock 72 (Nov. 22, 2003)
Jerren Shipp, Fr., 23, NAU 75, ASU 71 (Nov. 13, 2006)
Gee Gervin, Fr., 23, ASU 111, Jacksonville 69 (Nov. 22, 1996)
ASU'S EARLIEST SEASON OPENERS
Nov. 10, 2000-Tulsa 69, ASU 67 @Raleigh
Nov. 13, 2006-Nothern Arizona 75, ASU 71
Nov. 13, 1998-ASU 68, San Jose State 49
Nov. 14, 2008-ASU 80, Mississippi Valley State 64
Nov. 16, 1997-ASU 97, Cal St. Northridge 91
Nov. 17, 2001-ASU 92, Stephen F. Austin 61
Nov. 17, 1999-ASU 79, Portland State 57
Nov. 21, 1994-ASU 103, Texas A & M 73 @Lahaina, Hawaii
Nov. 21, 2004-ASU 79, Jackson State 48
COACH SENDEK'S EARLIEST SEASON OPENERS
Nov. 11, 1997-NC State 47, #19 Georgia 45 @East Rutherford, N.J.
Nov. 13, 2006-Northern Arizona 75, ASU 71
Nov. 14, 2008-ASU 80, Mississippi Valley State 64
Nov. 14, 2001-NC State 95, Prairie View A&M 51
Nov. 14, 1998-NC State 81, MD-Eastern Shore 60
Nov. 17, 2004-NC State 92, New Orleans 58