Coach Bobby Hurley's official non-conference schedule so far for the 2018-19 season already officially includes a neutral site game with 2018 Sweet Sixteen member Nevada in Los Angeles, a Dec. 22 home game with Kansas, a road game at Vanderbilt and a Las Vegas game with 25-game winner Mississippi State.Thank you Sun Devil nation for your incredible support all season long. pic.twitter.com/QRDXdXxgLb
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) March 3, 2018
So why not make the opener against a 2018 NCAA Tournament team, shall we?
The Sun Devils, coming off a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, will open the 2018-19 season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, against 2018 Big West Tournament champion Cal State Fullerton in Tempe. Game time and television will be figured out by the Pac-12 and announced in September. It will be the earliest opener in school history.
EARLIEST SEASON OPENERS IN SUN DEVIL HISTORY
Nov. 6, 2018 -- Cal State Fullerton at ASU
Nov. 8, 2013 -- ASU 96, UMBC 61
Nov. 10, 2017 -- ASU 94, Idaho State 74
Nov. 10, 2012 -- Central Arkansas at Arizona State
Nov. 10, 2000 --Tulsa 69, ASU 67 (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Head coach Dedrique Taylor's Titans return four starters and seven of the eight players that averaged more than 10 minutes per game from the 2017-18 squad. The Titans welcome back each of the top four scorers from last year, led by senior Kyle Allman, Jr., a first-team All-Big West honoree and the Big West Tournament MVP, who scored 19.5 points per game. The 2017-18 team posted one of the best seasons in program history, as the Titans racked up 20 wins for just the seventh time in school history and made their third trip to the Big Dance (also in 2008 and 1978).
The 20 victories were the most in a season since the Titans captured 21 wins during the 2011-12 campaign.
Taylor was an assistant coach ASU from 2006-07 to 2012-13. He helped guide ASU to four 20-win seasons in his seven seasons, including a 25-10 overall record in 2008-2009 that included a NCAA Tournament win over Temple in Miami.
The schools – just 365 miles apart – have met just twice, with ASU winning 83-76 on Nov. 24, 2003, and 87-83 on March 19, 1983, in the National Invitational Tournament.
ANNOUNCED @SUNDEVILHOOPS GAMES FOR 2018-19
Tuesday, Nov. 6: vs. Cal State Fullerton
Monday, Nov. 19: vs. Mississippi State in Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)
Wednesday, Nov. 21: vs. St. Mary's/Utah State in Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)
Friday, Dec. 7: vs. Nevada at STAPLES Center in HoopHall Classic
**Nevada is coming of a Sweet 16 appearance and 29-8 record that tied school record for wins. The Pack captured their second consecutive Mountain West regular season title in 2018 with 15-3 league mark.
Saturday, Dec. 22: vs. Kansas