WHAT: No. 19 Sun Devil WBB (2-1) vs. No. 5 Louisville at South Point Thanksgiving Shootout
WHEN: Friday at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT
WHERE: South Point Arena • Las Vegas, Nev.
LIVE VIDEO: https://livestream.com/accounts/13124053/events/8446036
LIVE AUDIO: Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel
UP NEXT
For the second time in four games the No. 19 Arizona State women's basketball team will be taking on a top-five team when it faces No. 5 Louisville on Friday (2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT) at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas. In addition to Louisville, ASU will also be taking on SIU (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT) this weekend.
This weekend's trip represents the fourth time since 2009 that the Sun Devils have traveled to Las Vegas for a holiday tournament. In 2012 the Sun Devils captured the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout title.
This is the third of four consecutive games the Sun Devils are playing away from Tempe. After defeating Incarnate Word in their opener at Wells Fargo Arena (Nov. 6), the Sun Devils traveled to Fort Defiance, Ariz., for their 'Showdown on the Rez,' game against No. 4 Baylor. ASU led the Bears by as many as 14 points, but ultimately was not able to pull off the upset as Baylor won 65-59. Last Sunday, ASU prevailed on the road against SEC foe Arkansas (88-85).
After this weekend's games ASU will return home to host the annual ASU Classic. ASU will face Louisiana Tech on Dec. 1 and either Alabama or Tulsa on Dec. 2.
LAST GAME
Kianna Ibis scored 20 points (9-13 FGs) and Sophia Elenga (11 points, career-high 12 rebounds) posted her first career double-double to help lead ASU to an 88-85 win at Arkansas on Sunday night.
Iris Mbulito (13 points, 4-6 FGs, four assists and three rebounds) and Robbi Ryan (13 points, 3-6 FGs/5-6 FTs, three rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils (2-1), who shot 49 percent for the game.
The Sun Devil bench was outstanding as it outscored Arkansas' reserves 42-11 and accounted for nearly half of ASU's points. In addition to the production from Elenga and Mbulito, Jamie Loera (eight points) and Taya Hanson (five points) combined for 13 points. Loera, who was 3-3 from behind the arc in her Sun Devil debut vs. Baylor (Nov. 11), hit her first two attempts from long range at Arkansas before finally missing for the first time.
ASU was plus-8 on the boards (43-35). Eight Sun Devils had three or more rebounds with Elenga (12), Charnea Johnson-Chapman (seven) and Ibis (five) leading the way. Reili Richardson continued her outstanding play at the point as she dished out five assists with only one turnover now giving her a near 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for the season (19-5).
COVERAGE
Both of ASU's games at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout will be streamed live at https://livestream.com/accounts/13124053/events/8446036. Both games can also be heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. Pregame coverage for both games will being at 3 p.m. in the Valley. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 15th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball.
SETTING THE STAGE FOR 2018-19
The Sun Devils are coming off a campaign in which they tied the school records for consecutive NCAA appearances (five) and 20-win seasons (five). The team returns all of its core players from last season including 2018 All-Pac-12 standout and leading scorer Kianna Ibis and 2018 All-Pac-12 honorable mention/Pac-12 defensive honorable mention selection Robbi Ryan.
Also returning are the team's 2017-18 leaders in 3-pointers (senior Courtney Ekmark), field goal percentage (senior Charnea Johnson-Chapman), assists (junior Reili Richardson) and steals (junior Kiara Russell). Head coach Charli Turner Thorne, who is in her 22nd season, also welcomed what is expected to be an impactful freshman class: Taya Hanson, Jamie Loera, Iris Mbulito, Jayde Van Hyfte.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS LOUISVILLE/SIU
The Sun Devils have prevailed in both of their all-time meetings against Louisville, most recently the second round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament in which current Sun Devil assistant coach Briann January helped ASU rally from a 14-point deficit in the last 11 minutes to come out on top and advance to the Sweet 16.
This will also be the third all-time meeting between ASU and SIU and the first since back-to-back meetings in 1992 (ASU won at home) and 1993 (SIU won at home). Freshman Sun Devil Jayde Van Hyfte's sister Celina is a redshirt junior forward on SIU's squad.
2017-18 REVIEW
The Sun Devils finished 22-13 and 10-8 in the Pac-12 (6th place) last season. They made their 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament (13th under the direction of head coach Charli Turner Thorne) and tied the school record for consecutive NCAA appearances (5) and 20-win seasons (5). A win over No. 10 Oregon State enabled ASU to make its eighth appearance in the semifinal round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
ASU finished among the Top 30 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12th/11.7), assist-to-turnover ratio (16th/1.35), fewest fouls per game (22nd/14.1) and assists (29th/552). They were also among the top third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (1st/57.8 ppg), rebounding defense (1st/30.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd/1.4), rebounding margin (3rd/+6.5), 3-point FG percentage defense (3rd/30.0), turnover margin (tied for 3rd/+3.10), field goal percentage (4th/44.1), assists (4th/15.8 apg) and scoring margin (4th/+10.0). It was the second time in four years that ASU led the league in scoring defense (also in 2014-15).
Kianna Ibis (All-Pac-12) and Robbi Ryan (All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention) both earned Pac-12 honors. ASU's leading scorer last season, Ibis scored in double figures 23x, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's win at Utah (Dec. 31), the most points by a Sun Devil since 2004.
Guards Reili Richardson (fourth) and Kiara Russell (16th) both finished among the top 20 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, helping ASU shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.7/previous record was 14.3 set by the 2014-15 team). Courtney Ekmark led ASU with 57 triples and tied single-game school record with seven 3-pointers vs. Arkansas.
POLLS
ASU moved up three spots to No. 19 in this week's AP poll. ASU was ranked 23rd in the preseason AP poll, one of five Pac-12 teams – No. 3 Oregon, No. 7 Stanford, No. 8 Oregon State, No. 24 Cal – that were ranked, marking the third-straight year the conference has had five teams in the preseason poll. Although they split their first two games, they still moved up one spot to No. 22 in the week 2 AP poll.
• ASU was the first team outside the top 25 of the USA Today Coaches preseason poll and are currently No. 25.
• Athlon Sports had ASU 19th while ESPN.com and Lindy's Sports both had ASU at No. 23 in their respective preseason polls.
• Both the coaches and media picked the Sun Devils to finish fifth in the Pac-12.
INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
Over the summer three Sun Devils – junior Kiara Russell and freshmen Taya Hanson and Iris Mbulito – not only played in international competition but were also part of teams that won a medal.
Mbulito earned MVP honors as she helped Spain claim the gold medal at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Sopron, Hungary. Mbulito posted a double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) in the championship game in leading Spain to a convincing 69-50 win over Serbia. Mbulito, who had the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining in Spain's 51-50 quarterfinal win over France, averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds (team high), 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in the tournament (seven games). She also recorded a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) in the win over France.
Russell was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold at the FISU America Games. Russell was part of a squad that defeated its four opponents – Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil – by an average of 43.8 points. The USA claimed the gold with a 59-42 win in the championship game. The FISU America Games are a multi-sport event sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Hanson averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals in helping lead Canada to a silver medal at the FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship. Hanson came one rebound short of a double-double (14 points, nine rebounds) in Canada's opening game of the tournament against Colombia. She would surpass that performance with a 16-point, 11-rebound outing in Canada's quarterfinal victory over Chile. Canada won its first five contests by an average of 23.2 points before falling to the USA in the gold medal game.
HOME SWEET HOME
ASU has made Wells Fargo Arena one of the toughest places to play in recent years as they have won 84.1 percent of their home games (69-13) going back to the 2013-14 season, including a 13-3 mark last season. On average ASU outscored the opposition 72.4-53.2 at home in 2017-18.
DOMINANT DEVIL DEFENSE
• ASU concluded the 2017-18 regular season first in the Pac-12 in scoring defense. It limited the opposition to 12 or fewer points in a quarter 51x this last season, including a season low of two points scored by Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals (Mar. 1). On Feb. 23, 2018, ASU held eventual Elite Eight participant Oregon to 57 points – nearly 27 points below its scoring average at the time and its lowest point total of the season. In its 57-51 win over Oregon State (Mar. 2) in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament the Sun Devils limited the Beavers to seven points in the first quarter and five in the final quarter, including a single point in the last five minutes. During that stretch ASU outscored the Beavers 13-1 to overcome a six-point deficit
• ASU has allowed an average of only 56.8 points per game since the start of the 2014-15 season (139 games). ASU has held the opposition to 50 or fewer points 45 times during that stretch. They are 44-1 in those contests. The only loss came at home to Cal (50-49) on Feb. 8, 2015. Over that same stretch, ASU has allowed the opposition to make only 28.7 percent of its attempts from long range.
BALANCED OFFENSE
ASU has eight returning players who led or tied for the team lead in scoring last season. Kianna Ibis led the way 12x, followed by Robbi Ryan (9x), Courtney Ekmark (7x), Jamie Ruden (2x), Charnea Johnson-Chapman (2x), Sophia Elenga (2x), Reili Richardson (1x) and Kiara Russell (1x). ASU has already had three players lead or tie for the team lead in scoring this season: Ruden (1x), Ekmark (1x) and Ibis (2x).
BENCH PRODUCTION
In 2017-18 ASU's reserves outscored the opposition's bench 22.5-12.1. If the early returns in 2018-19 are any indication – on average ASU's reserves have outscored the opposition's 36.3-16.7 in the first three games – the Sun Devils' depth will once again be one of the strengths of the team. Jamie Ruden, who paced ASU with 15 points in the win over IC, finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.6 ppg) last season. Freshman Jamie Loera, who missed the first game recovering from illness, is currently second on the team in points per game (8.7). Loera started her career by making her first five 3-pointers. In ASU's most recent contest at Arkansas, freshman guard Iris Mbulito (13 points) and senior post Sophia Elenga (11 points) combined for 24 points. Elenga also added a career-high 12 rebounds in accounting for her first career double-double.
IBIS LEADS THE WAY
2018 All-Pac-12 standout Kianna Ibis returns as ASU's top threat on the offensive end. Last season Ibis scored in double figures 23 times, including six games with 20 or more points. In ASU's 83-81 win at Utah on Dec. 31, 2017, Ibis had one of the best offensive days turned in by a Sun Devil in recent memory as she scored a career-high 30 points, eclipsing her previous career high of 20 by 10 points. Ibis became the first Sun Devil to score 30 or more points since Kylan Loney accomplished the feat vs. Arizona on January 31, 2004. She followed that extraordinary performance with a game-high 26 points in ASU's win over No. 23 Cal (Jan. 5). She added her third game of scoring 20 or more points in Pac-12 play (fourth of the season) after scoring 22 at Oregon (Jan. 14). Ibis poured in 24 points in ASU's win over Colorado (Jan. 21). ASU's active career leader in points (757), rebounds (371) and blocks (37), Ibis scored 27 points in ASU's NCAA second round game vs. Texas last March, the third-highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil in an NCAA Tournament game. Ibis also grabbed five or more rebs 19 times last season, including career-high 14 vs. Oregon State (Mar. 2). Ibis currently leads the Sun Devils in scoring (14.7 ppg), is third in rebounds (5.7 rpg) and has connected on 50 percent of her shots. Ibis 20 points at Arkansas are the most by a Sun Devil this season.
SUN DEVIL WBB'S REILI RICHARDSON GUIDES NEAR FLAWLESS ATTACK
One of the biggest reasons ASU was able to shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.3) in a season in 2017-18 was the play of point guard Reili Richardson, who concluded the season ranked No. 4 in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.46). Richardson led ASU in assists last season (4.7 apg/9th in the Pac-12), was third in steals (1.0 spg) and fourth in 3-point FGs (19). Her 166 assists for the season represented the fifth-highest, single-season total in program history. Richardson closed the 2017-18 season with 47 assists and only 13 turnovers over the last 10 games of the season. She had an earlier 10-game stretch in which she had 59 assists and only eight turnovers. Richardson scored in double figures 7 times last season, including a career-high 18 points (included a career-high 4 triples) at Florida State (Dec. 17). She helped the USA Women's U19 World Cup Team claim silver at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup in Udine, Italy. In 2017, Richardson set ASU's single-season freshman record for assists (126). A Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention honoree, Richardson played in every game (25 starts) in 2016-17 and led the team in assists (3.8 apg/12th in the Pac-12) and tied for the team lead in free throws made (79), was second in 3-pointers (20) and free throw percentage (82.3/12th in the Pac-12) and third in scoring (8.4 ppg) and steals (1.1 spg). She also finished fifth in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Richardson has 19 assists and only five turnovers in the season's first three games. Against No. 4 Baylor (Nov. 11), Richardson led an ASU attack that had only five turnovers in the entire game.
RYAN'S STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT PART OF ASU'S SUCCESS IN PAC-12 PLAY
One of three Sun Devils who averaged double figures in scoring in Pac-12 play (10.9) last season, Robbi Ryan (2018 All Pac-12 honorable mention and All-Defensive honorable mention) was a key contributor to ASU's success on both ends of the floor in 2017-18. Ryan, who had 10 double-digit scoring efforts in conference games, had two of her best outings in close losses at Oregon State (57-54) and vs. Utah (58-56). In both games the Sun Devils struggled to find their offensive rhythm, shooting below 35 percent. Helping them stay within striking distance in both games was Ryan as the she tied her (then) career high with 19 points at Oregon State (Jan. 12) and then added 16 against Utah (Jan. 19). In both games Ryan, who scored in double figures 19 times last season, connected on 52 percent of her shots (14-27). In ASU's two regular season wins over Arizona, Ryan averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg. She had a career-high 24 points in the first meeting and then came up one point short of her first career double-double (nine points, career-high 10 rebounds) in the second meeting. Ryan (14.7 ppg) was the only Sun Devil to average double figures in scoring in ASU's three contests vs. Oregon State last season. Ryan scored 8 of her 13 points in the final five minutes of ASU's win at Arkansas (Nov. 18).
EK-MARKS THE SPOT
Courtney Ekmark's excellent marksmanship from long range provided the Sun Devils with a dangerous weapon on the offensive end last season. Ekmark, who is a second-year law student in ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, started every game in 2017-18 and led ASU in 3-point FGs (58) and FT pct. (76.8), tied for the team lead in steals (1.1 spg), was second in 3-point FG pct. (37.4), third in scoring (9.7 ppg) and rebounding (4.5 rpg), fourth in assists (2.1 apg) and fifth in O-rebs (1.2 rpg). In ASU's two regular-season wins over Arizona, Ekmark hit 67 percent of her 3-pointers (6-9) on her way to averaging 14.0 ppg to go with 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 3.5 spg. Last December she connected on seven 3-pointers to tie ASU's single-game school record for 3-pointers in ASU's 80-43 win over Arkansas (Dec. 21). Ekmark, who scored a career-high 23 points against the Razorbacks, tied the mark previously accomplished by current ASU assistant coach Briann January (at UC Davis, Dec. 3, 2008), Crystal Cobb (vs. Oregon, Feb. 2, 1991) and Ryneldi Becenti (vs. Washington State, Feb. 13, 1993). Ekmark's 58 3-pointers last season tied for fifth on ASU's all-time single-season list with Kylan Loney (58 in 2005). Through three games, Ekmark leads ASU in 3-pointers with six.
JOHNSON-CHAPMAN STEPS UP IN THE POST
One of the biggest factors in ASU's success throughout the 2017-18 season was the play of center Charnea Johnson-Chapman, who started every game last season and led the team in FG pct. (54.9), rebounds (6.5 rpg/16th in Pac-12), O-Rebs (2.2 rpg/t-13th in Pac-12) and blocks (20). Johnson-Chapman Scored in double figures 10x and grabbed seven or more rebounds 18x, including 10 in wins over Sacramento State (Nov. 18), vs. Cal (Jan. 5) and vs. Nebraska (Mar. 17), 12 in wins over Idaho (Dec. 18) and Colorado (Jan. 21) and a career-high 14 boards vs. Oregon (Feb. 23). She scored a career-high 16 points twice last season: at Fresno State (Nov. 15, 2017) and in ASU's win over Stanford (Jan. 7). Through three games Johnson-Chapman is second on the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg).
RUDEN PROVIDES SUN DEVILS WITH INSTANT OFFENSE
Heading into the Pac-12 portion of the schedule in 2016-17, Charli Turner Thorne was very excited about what Jamie Ruden (then a freshman) would be bringing to the team after the flashes of brilliance she displayed during the preseason. Unfortunately Ruden would end up missing all 18 Pac-12 regular season games after a foot injury occurred the week of the conference opener. She would end up returning to in time for the Pac-12 Tournament and, despite having almost no practice in nine weeks, made an immediate impact as she scored 12 points in ASU's Pac-12 quarterfinal contest vs. UCLA. Fast forward to 2017-18 and Ruden was coming through with clutch shooting performances for ASU as she scored in double figures 14 times and finished second on the team in 3-point FGs (27). She scored a career-high 19 points in ASU's win vs. Idaho (Dec. 18, 2017) and was responsible for the game-winning basket in ASU's 83-81 win at Utah on Dec. 31, 2017. Ruden did not show any rust from the offseason as she came out and led ASU with 15 points (6-7 FGs) in its season opening win over Incarnate Word (Nov. 6).
CHARLI TURNER THORNE HAS SUN DEVIL WBB AMONG NATION'S ELITE
The all-time winningest coach in program history and No. 2 in the Pac-12 in career wins (424), Charli Turner Thorne has turned Sun Devil women's basketball into one of the nation's premiere programs since taking over in 1996-97. Included in ASU's earlier run of 13 consecutive postseason appearances (2000-12) were a school record five-consecutive NCAA Tournament bids from 2005-09. During that time ASU qualified for the Elite Eight on a pair of occasions, making it one of only 15 programs in the country to have qualified for the Elite Eight at least two times between 2007-12. Last season ASU matched the school record for consecutive years making the NCAA Tournament (five) and consecutive seasons (five) with 20 or more win (13th NCAA appearance under Turner Thorne).
In 2016 Turner Thorne was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year (coaches and media), the second time she has been recognized with the honor (2001), after leading the Sun Devils to their second regular season Pac-12 championship. ASU would go on to earn its highest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 2) in program history. In 2016 ASU has also tied the program records for most conference wins (16) and consecutive wins (15) and set the program record for most road wins (11). Turner Thorne would go on to also be named the WBCA Region 5 Co-Coach of the Year. In 2014-15 Turner Thorne was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year for a season in which she led the Sun Devils to their best start in school history (18-1), their best conference start in school history (7-0), a second-place finish in the Pac-12 and 29 wins, the second-highest number of wins in school history. In 2013-14 Turner Thorne raised the curtain on the team's current era of success as she helped the Sun Devils post one of the best turnarounds in the country as they went from a 13-18 record and a ninth-place Pac-12 finish (5-13) in 2012-13 to a 23-10 record and fourth-place Pac-12 finish (11-7). Included among ASU's 23 wins in 2013-14 were three triumphs over Top 25 teams. The outstanding success Sun Devil women's basketball has enjoyed under Turner Thorne is a 180-degree difference from the program that had an aggregate record of 20-60 in the three years prior to her arrival and only two NCAA Tournament wins in its history.
SUN DEVIL WBB CONTINUES TO BE THE PAC-12'S BEST IN THE CLASSROOM
A league-high and school-record-tying eight Arizona State University women's basketball players were named to the Pac-12 Women's Basketball All-Academic teams in 2018.
Headlining the list for ASU were forward Jamie Ruden, who earned first-team honors, and guard Robbi Ryan, who earned second-team recognition.
The eight awards tied the school record for most student-athletes on the Pac-12's All-Academic Team. The 2006-07 team also had eight (two on first team, one on second team and five honorable mention).
In 2017 ASU finished among the nation's best in combined team GPA. With a final team GPA of 3.672 for the 2016-17 academic year the Sun Devils finished fifth in the nation (the highest ranking in program history) among Division I institutions in the WBCA's annual Academic Top 25. The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III; NAIA and junior/community college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2016-17 season is the 22nd in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
ASU's No. 5 finish represented the second time in three seasons the Sun Devils were among the top 10 programs in the country after placing seventh (3.558) for the 2014-15 academic year. In 2016-17 ASU was one of only eight teams around the country to be included in the WBCA's Top 25 and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Of those eight, ASU and DePaul were the only two schools to advance past the first round.
WHEN: Friday at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT
WHERE: South Point Arena • Las Vegas, Nev.
LIVE VIDEO: https://livestream.com/accounts/13124053/events/8446036
LIVE AUDIO: Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel
UP NEXT
For the second time in four games the No. 19 Arizona State women's basketball team will be taking on a top-five team when it faces No. 5 Louisville on Friday (2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT) at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas. In addition to Louisville, ASU will also be taking on SIU (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT) this weekend.
This weekend's trip represents the fourth time since 2009 that the Sun Devils have traveled to Las Vegas for a holiday tournament. In 2012 the Sun Devils captured the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout title.
This is the third of four consecutive games the Sun Devils are playing away from Tempe. After defeating Incarnate Word in their opener at Wells Fargo Arena (Nov. 6), the Sun Devils traveled to Fort Defiance, Ariz., for their 'Showdown on the Rez,' game against No. 4 Baylor. ASU led the Bears by as many as 14 points, but ultimately was not able to pull off the upset as Baylor won 65-59. Last Sunday, ASU prevailed on the road against SEC foe Arkansas (88-85).
After this weekend's games ASU will return home to host the annual ASU Classic. ASU will face Louisiana Tech on Dec. 1 and either Alabama or Tulsa on Dec. 2.
LAST GAME
Kianna Ibis scored 20 points (9-13 FGs) and Sophia Elenga (11 points, career-high 12 rebounds) posted her first career double-double to help lead ASU to an 88-85 win at Arkansas on Sunday night.
Iris Mbulito (13 points, 4-6 FGs, four assists and three rebounds) and Robbi Ryan (13 points, 3-6 FGs/5-6 FTs, three rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils (2-1), who shot 49 percent for the game.
The Sun Devil bench was outstanding as it outscored Arkansas' reserves 42-11 and accounted for nearly half of ASU's points. In addition to the production from Elenga and Mbulito, Jamie Loera (eight points) and Taya Hanson (five points) combined for 13 points. Loera, who was 3-3 from behind the arc in her Sun Devil debut vs. Baylor (Nov. 11), hit her first two attempts from long range at Arkansas before finally missing for the first time.
ASU was plus-8 on the boards (43-35). Eight Sun Devils had three or more rebounds with Elenga (12), Charnea Johnson-Chapman (seven) and Ibis (five) leading the way. Reili Richardson continued her outstanding play at the point as she dished out five assists with only one turnover now giving her a near 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for the season (19-5).
COVERAGE
Both of ASU's games at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout will be streamed live at https://livestream.com/accounts/13124053/events/8446036. Both games can also be heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. Pregame coverage for both games will being at 3 p.m. in the Valley. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 15th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball.
SETTING THE STAGE FOR 2018-19
The Sun Devils are coming off a campaign in which they tied the school records for consecutive NCAA appearances (five) and 20-win seasons (five). The team returns all of its core players from last season including 2018 All-Pac-12 standout and leading scorer Kianna Ibis and 2018 All-Pac-12 honorable mention/Pac-12 defensive honorable mention selection Robbi Ryan.
Also returning are the team's 2017-18 leaders in 3-pointers (senior Courtney Ekmark), field goal percentage (senior Charnea Johnson-Chapman), assists (junior Reili Richardson) and steals (junior Kiara Russell). Head coach Charli Turner Thorne, who is in her 22nd season, also welcomed what is expected to be an impactful freshman class: Taya Hanson, Jamie Loera, Iris Mbulito, Jayde Van Hyfte.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS LOUISVILLE/SIU
The Sun Devils have prevailed in both of their all-time meetings against Louisville, most recently the second round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament in which current Sun Devil assistant coach Briann January helped ASU rally from a 14-point deficit in the last 11 minutes to come out on top and advance to the Sweet 16.
This will also be the third all-time meeting between ASU and SIU and the first since back-to-back meetings in 1992 (ASU won at home) and 1993 (SIU won at home). Freshman Sun Devil Jayde Van Hyfte's sister Celina is a redshirt junior forward on SIU's squad.
2017-18 REVIEW
The Sun Devils finished 22-13 and 10-8 in the Pac-12 (6th place) last season. They made their 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament (13th under the direction of head coach Charli Turner Thorne) and tied the school record for consecutive NCAA appearances (5) and 20-win seasons (5). A win over No. 10 Oregon State enabled ASU to make its eighth appearance in the semifinal round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
ASU finished among the Top 30 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12th/11.7), assist-to-turnover ratio (16th/1.35), fewest fouls per game (22nd/14.1) and assists (29th/552). They were also among the top third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (1st/57.8 ppg), rebounding defense (1st/30.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd/1.4), rebounding margin (3rd/+6.5), 3-point FG percentage defense (3rd/30.0), turnover margin (tied for 3rd/+3.10), field goal percentage (4th/44.1), assists (4th/15.8 apg) and scoring margin (4th/+10.0). It was the second time in four years that ASU led the league in scoring defense (also in 2014-15).
Kianna Ibis (All-Pac-12) and Robbi Ryan (All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention) both earned Pac-12 honors. ASU's leading scorer last season, Ibis scored in double figures 23x, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's win at Utah (Dec. 31), the most points by a Sun Devil since 2004.
Guards Reili Richardson (fourth) and Kiara Russell (16th) both finished among the top 20 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, helping ASU shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.7/previous record was 14.3 set by the 2014-15 team). Courtney Ekmark led ASU with 57 triples and tied single-game school record with seven 3-pointers vs. Arkansas.
POLLS
ASU moved up three spots to No. 19 in this week's AP poll. ASU was ranked 23rd in the preseason AP poll, one of five Pac-12 teams – No. 3 Oregon, No. 7 Stanford, No. 8 Oregon State, No. 24 Cal – that were ranked, marking the third-straight year the conference has had five teams in the preseason poll. Although they split their first two games, they still moved up one spot to No. 22 in the week 2 AP poll.
• ASU was the first team outside the top 25 of the USA Today Coaches preseason poll and are currently No. 25.
• Athlon Sports had ASU 19th while ESPN.com and Lindy's Sports both had ASU at No. 23 in their respective preseason polls.
• Both the coaches and media picked the Sun Devils to finish fifth in the Pac-12.
INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
Over the summer three Sun Devils – junior Kiara Russell and freshmen Taya Hanson and Iris Mbulito – not only played in international competition but were also part of teams that won a medal.
Mbulito earned MVP honors as she helped Spain claim the gold medal at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Sopron, Hungary. Mbulito posted a double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) in the championship game in leading Spain to a convincing 69-50 win over Serbia. Mbulito, who had the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining in Spain's 51-50 quarterfinal win over France, averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds (team high), 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in the tournament (seven games). She also recorded a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) in the win over France.
Russell was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold at the FISU America Games. Russell was part of a squad that defeated its four opponents – Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil – by an average of 43.8 points. The USA claimed the gold with a 59-42 win in the championship game. The FISU America Games are a multi-sport event sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Hanson averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals in helping lead Canada to a silver medal at the FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship. Hanson came one rebound short of a double-double (14 points, nine rebounds) in Canada's opening game of the tournament against Colombia. She would surpass that performance with a 16-point, 11-rebound outing in Canada's quarterfinal victory over Chile. Canada won its first five contests by an average of 23.2 points before falling to the USA in the gold medal game.
HOME SWEET HOME
ASU has made Wells Fargo Arena one of the toughest places to play in recent years as they have won 84.1 percent of their home games (69-13) going back to the 2013-14 season, including a 13-3 mark last season. On average ASU outscored the opposition 72.4-53.2 at home in 2017-18.
DOMINANT DEVIL DEFENSE
• ASU concluded the 2017-18 regular season first in the Pac-12 in scoring defense. It limited the opposition to 12 or fewer points in a quarter 51x this last season, including a season low of two points scored by Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals (Mar. 1). On Feb. 23, 2018, ASU held eventual Elite Eight participant Oregon to 57 points – nearly 27 points below its scoring average at the time and its lowest point total of the season. In its 57-51 win over Oregon State (Mar. 2) in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament the Sun Devils limited the Beavers to seven points in the first quarter and five in the final quarter, including a single point in the last five minutes. During that stretch ASU outscored the Beavers 13-1 to overcome a six-point deficit
• ASU has allowed an average of only 56.8 points per game since the start of the 2014-15 season (139 games). ASU has held the opposition to 50 or fewer points 45 times during that stretch. They are 44-1 in those contests. The only loss came at home to Cal (50-49) on Feb. 8, 2015. Over that same stretch, ASU has allowed the opposition to make only 28.7 percent of its attempts from long range.
BALANCED OFFENSE
ASU has eight returning players who led or tied for the team lead in scoring last season. Kianna Ibis led the way 12x, followed by Robbi Ryan (9x), Courtney Ekmark (7x), Jamie Ruden (2x), Charnea Johnson-Chapman (2x), Sophia Elenga (2x), Reili Richardson (1x) and Kiara Russell (1x). ASU has already had three players lead or tie for the team lead in scoring this season: Ruden (1x), Ekmark (1x) and Ibis (2x).
BENCH PRODUCTION
In 2017-18 ASU's reserves outscored the opposition's bench 22.5-12.1. If the early returns in 2018-19 are any indication – on average ASU's reserves have outscored the opposition's 36.3-16.7 in the first three games – the Sun Devils' depth will once again be one of the strengths of the team. Jamie Ruden, who paced ASU with 15 points in the win over IC, finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.6 ppg) last season. Freshman Jamie Loera, who missed the first game recovering from illness, is currently second on the team in points per game (8.7). Loera started her career by making her first five 3-pointers. In ASU's most recent contest at Arkansas, freshman guard Iris Mbulito (13 points) and senior post Sophia Elenga (11 points) combined for 24 points. Elenga also added a career-high 12 rebounds in accounting for her first career double-double.
IBIS LEADS THE WAY
2018 All-Pac-12 standout Kianna Ibis returns as ASU's top threat on the offensive end. Last season Ibis scored in double figures 23 times, including six games with 20 or more points. In ASU's 83-81 win at Utah on Dec. 31, 2017, Ibis had one of the best offensive days turned in by a Sun Devil in recent memory as she scored a career-high 30 points, eclipsing her previous career high of 20 by 10 points. Ibis became the first Sun Devil to score 30 or more points since Kylan Loney accomplished the feat vs. Arizona on January 31, 2004. She followed that extraordinary performance with a game-high 26 points in ASU's win over No. 23 Cal (Jan. 5). She added her third game of scoring 20 or more points in Pac-12 play (fourth of the season) after scoring 22 at Oregon (Jan. 14). Ibis poured in 24 points in ASU's win over Colorado (Jan. 21). ASU's active career leader in points (757), rebounds (371) and blocks (37), Ibis scored 27 points in ASU's NCAA second round game vs. Texas last March, the third-highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil in an NCAA Tournament game. Ibis also grabbed five or more rebs 19 times last season, including career-high 14 vs. Oregon State (Mar. 2). Ibis currently leads the Sun Devils in scoring (14.7 ppg), is third in rebounds (5.7 rpg) and has connected on 50 percent of her shots. Ibis 20 points at Arkansas are the most by a Sun Devil this season.
SUN DEVIL WBB'S REILI RICHARDSON GUIDES NEAR FLAWLESS ATTACK
One of the biggest reasons ASU was able to shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.3) in a season in 2017-18 was the play of point guard Reili Richardson, who concluded the season ranked No. 4 in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.46). Richardson led ASU in assists last season (4.7 apg/9th in the Pac-12), was third in steals (1.0 spg) and fourth in 3-point FGs (19). Her 166 assists for the season represented the fifth-highest, single-season total in program history. Richardson closed the 2017-18 season with 47 assists and only 13 turnovers over the last 10 games of the season. She had an earlier 10-game stretch in which she had 59 assists and only eight turnovers. Richardson scored in double figures 7 times last season, including a career-high 18 points (included a career-high 4 triples) at Florida State (Dec. 17). She helped the USA Women's U19 World Cup Team claim silver at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup in Udine, Italy. In 2017, Richardson set ASU's single-season freshman record for assists (126). A Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention honoree, Richardson played in every game (25 starts) in 2016-17 and led the team in assists (3.8 apg/12th in the Pac-12) and tied for the team lead in free throws made (79), was second in 3-pointers (20) and free throw percentage (82.3/12th in the Pac-12) and third in scoring (8.4 ppg) and steals (1.1 spg). She also finished fifth in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Richardson has 19 assists and only five turnovers in the season's first three games. Against No. 4 Baylor (Nov. 11), Richardson led an ASU attack that had only five turnovers in the entire game.
RYAN'S STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT PART OF ASU'S SUCCESS IN PAC-12 PLAY
One of three Sun Devils who averaged double figures in scoring in Pac-12 play (10.9) last season, Robbi Ryan (2018 All Pac-12 honorable mention and All-Defensive honorable mention) was a key contributor to ASU's success on both ends of the floor in 2017-18. Ryan, who had 10 double-digit scoring efforts in conference games, had two of her best outings in close losses at Oregon State (57-54) and vs. Utah (58-56). In both games the Sun Devils struggled to find their offensive rhythm, shooting below 35 percent. Helping them stay within striking distance in both games was Ryan as the she tied her (then) career high with 19 points at Oregon State (Jan. 12) and then added 16 against Utah (Jan. 19). In both games Ryan, who scored in double figures 19 times last season, connected on 52 percent of her shots (14-27). In ASU's two regular season wins over Arizona, Ryan averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg. She had a career-high 24 points in the first meeting and then came up one point short of her first career double-double (nine points, career-high 10 rebounds) in the second meeting. Ryan (14.7 ppg) was the only Sun Devil to average double figures in scoring in ASU's three contests vs. Oregon State last season. Ryan scored 8 of her 13 points in the final five minutes of ASU's win at Arkansas (Nov. 18).
EK-MARKS THE SPOT
Courtney Ekmark's excellent marksmanship from long range provided the Sun Devils with a dangerous weapon on the offensive end last season. Ekmark, who is a second-year law student in ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, started every game in 2017-18 and led ASU in 3-point FGs (58) and FT pct. (76.8), tied for the team lead in steals (1.1 spg), was second in 3-point FG pct. (37.4), third in scoring (9.7 ppg) and rebounding (4.5 rpg), fourth in assists (2.1 apg) and fifth in O-rebs (1.2 rpg). In ASU's two regular-season wins over Arizona, Ekmark hit 67 percent of her 3-pointers (6-9) on her way to averaging 14.0 ppg to go with 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 3.5 spg. Last December she connected on seven 3-pointers to tie ASU's single-game school record for 3-pointers in ASU's 80-43 win over Arkansas (Dec. 21). Ekmark, who scored a career-high 23 points against the Razorbacks, tied the mark previously accomplished by current ASU assistant coach Briann January (at UC Davis, Dec. 3, 2008), Crystal Cobb (vs. Oregon, Feb. 2, 1991) and Ryneldi Becenti (vs. Washington State, Feb. 13, 1993). Ekmark's 58 3-pointers last season tied for fifth on ASU's all-time single-season list with Kylan Loney (58 in 2005). Through three games, Ekmark leads ASU in 3-pointers with six.
JOHNSON-CHAPMAN STEPS UP IN THE POST
One of the biggest factors in ASU's success throughout the 2017-18 season was the play of center Charnea Johnson-Chapman, who started every game last season and led the team in FG pct. (54.9), rebounds (6.5 rpg/16th in Pac-12), O-Rebs (2.2 rpg/t-13th in Pac-12) and blocks (20). Johnson-Chapman Scored in double figures 10x and grabbed seven or more rebounds 18x, including 10 in wins over Sacramento State (Nov. 18), vs. Cal (Jan. 5) and vs. Nebraska (Mar. 17), 12 in wins over Idaho (Dec. 18) and Colorado (Jan. 21) and a career-high 14 boards vs. Oregon (Feb. 23). She scored a career-high 16 points twice last season: at Fresno State (Nov. 15, 2017) and in ASU's win over Stanford (Jan. 7). Through three games Johnson-Chapman is second on the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg).
RUDEN PROVIDES SUN DEVILS WITH INSTANT OFFENSE
Heading into the Pac-12 portion of the schedule in 2016-17, Charli Turner Thorne was very excited about what Jamie Ruden (then a freshman) would be bringing to the team after the flashes of brilliance she displayed during the preseason. Unfortunately Ruden would end up missing all 18 Pac-12 regular season games after a foot injury occurred the week of the conference opener. She would end up returning to in time for the Pac-12 Tournament and, despite having almost no practice in nine weeks, made an immediate impact as she scored 12 points in ASU's Pac-12 quarterfinal contest vs. UCLA. Fast forward to 2017-18 and Ruden was coming through with clutch shooting performances for ASU as she scored in double figures 14 times and finished second on the team in 3-point FGs (27). She scored a career-high 19 points in ASU's win vs. Idaho (Dec. 18, 2017) and was responsible for the game-winning basket in ASU's 83-81 win at Utah on Dec. 31, 2017. Ruden did not show any rust from the offseason as she came out and led ASU with 15 points (6-7 FGs) in its season opening win over Incarnate Word (Nov. 6).
CHARLI TURNER THORNE HAS SUN DEVIL WBB AMONG NATION'S ELITE
The all-time winningest coach in program history and No. 2 in the Pac-12 in career wins (424), Charli Turner Thorne has turned Sun Devil women's basketball into one of the nation's premiere programs since taking over in 1996-97. Included in ASU's earlier run of 13 consecutive postseason appearances (2000-12) were a school record five-consecutive NCAA Tournament bids from 2005-09. During that time ASU qualified for the Elite Eight on a pair of occasions, making it one of only 15 programs in the country to have qualified for the Elite Eight at least two times between 2007-12. Last season ASU matched the school record for consecutive years making the NCAA Tournament (five) and consecutive seasons (five) with 20 or more win (13th NCAA appearance under Turner Thorne).
In 2016 Turner Thorne was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year (coaches and media), the second time she has been recognized with the honor (2001), after leading the Sun Devils to their second regular season Pac-12 championship. ASU would go on to earn its highest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 2) in program history. In 2016 ASU has also tied the program records for most conference wins (16) and consecutive wins (15) and set the program record for most road wins (11). Turner Thorne would go on to also be named the WBCA Region 5 Co-Coach of the Year. In 2014-15 Turner Thorne was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year for a season in which she led the Sun Devils to their best start in school history (18-1), their best conference start in school history (7-0), a second-place finish in the Pac-12 and 29 wins, the second-highest number of wins in school history. In 2013-14 Turner Thorne raised the curtain on the team's current era of success as she helped the Sun Devils post one of the best turnarounds in the country as they went from a 13-18 record and a ninth-place Pac-12 finish (5-13) in 2012-13 to a 23-10 record and fourth-place Pac-12 finish (11-7). Included among ASU's 23 wins in 2013-14 were three triumphs over Top 25 teams. The outstanding success Sun Devil women's basketball has enjoyed under Turner Thorne is a 180-degree difference from the program that had an aggregate record of 20-60 in the three years prior to her arrival and only two NCAA Tournament wins in its history.
SUN DEVIL WBB CONTINUES TO BE THE PAC-12'S BEST IN THE CLASSROOM
A league-high and school-record-tying eight Arizona State University women's basketball players were named to the Pac-12 Women's Basketball All-Academic teams in 2018.
Headlining the list for ASU were forward Jamie Ruden, who earned first-team honors, and guard Robbi Ryan, who earned second-team recognition.
The eight awards tied the school record for most student-athletes on the Pac-12's All-Academic Team. The 2006-07 team also had eight (two on first team, one on second team and five honorable mention).
In 2017 ASU finished among the nation's best in combined team GPA. With a final team GPA of 3.672 for the 2016-17 academic year the Sun Devils finished fifth in the nation (the highest ranking in program history) among Division I institutions in the WBCA's annual Academic Top 25. The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III; NAIA and junior/community college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2016-17 season is the 22nd in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
ASU's No. 5 finish represented the second time in three seasons the Sun Devils were among the top 10 programs in the country after placing seventh (3.558) for the 2014-15 academic year. In 2016-17 ASU was one of only eight teams around the country to be included in the WBCA's Top 25 and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Of those eight, ASU and DePaul were the only two schools to advance past the first round.