Jan. 27, 2011
From Latvia With Love: Senior forward Rihards Kuksiks had a season-high 22 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the three-point line and has now posted nine 20-point games in his career. ASU is 6-3 in games that Kuksiks reaches the 20-point mark. Kuksiks scored 24 in last year's 59-54 victory over USC in Tempe.
A Six Pack Of Solid Games: Senior guard Ty Abbott recorded 19 points and seven rebounds in 38 minutes against USC and improved his average to 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 35.6 minutes in the past six games. He is 25-of-50 (.500) from the three-point stripe in that time and also leads the team with 17 assists.
Against The Trojans:This is the first home loss to USC since head coach Herb Sendek took over five seasons ago. ASU is 17-16 (.515) vs. USC in Tempe in its 32 previous Pac-10 meetings.
They're Comfortable From Beyond The Arc: Kuksiks is third on ASU's career three-pointers list and is ninth on the Pac-10 career list with 261 after making five from long distance against the Trojans. Abbott sank a trio of three-pointers vs. USC and moved past former Cal guard Jerome Randle into 10th on the Pac-10 list with 254 and sits in fourth on ASU's career list, seven back from Kuksiks.
Making It A Career: Abbott has made 109 starts in his four seasons with the Sun Devils, tying Ron Riley (1992-96) for third on the ASU career starts list. Kuksiks is 10th on the list with 92 career starts.