WHAT: No. 19 Sun Devil WBB (11-3, 2-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 6 Stanford (12-1, 2-0 Pac-12)
WHEN: Friday at 7 p.m. MT
WHERE: Wells Fargo Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
TELEVISION: Pac-12 Network/Arizona
RADIO: NBC Sports Radio AM 1060/TuneIn
LIVE STATS: http://statb.us/b/233901
TICKETS: Click here to purchase
UP NEXT
For the first time in more than a month, the No. 19 Arizona State women's basketball team will play consecutive games at home when it hosts No. 6 Stanford (Friday at 7 p.m.) and No. 24 Cal (Sunday at 5 p.m.) this weekend at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Sun Devils (11-3, 2-1 Pac-12) are one of four teams tied for fourth place in the Pac-12 standings after the first two weeks of conference play. Three of ASU's next four games will be contested against the Pac-12's remaining unbeaten squads: vs. No. 6 Stanford (Friday night), at No. 5 Oregon (Fri., Jan. 18) and at No. 10 Oregon State (Sun., Jan. 20).
Last weekend's games at Utah/Colorado concluded a stretch in which ASU played five of six games away from home. A 70-39 win at Colorado State (Dec. 9) was followed by a 65-51 triumph over Kansas State (Dec. 16) in a game that was contested in La Crosse, Wisc. ASU's only home game in that span, a 68-52 win over Fresno State (Dec. 20), gave the Sun Devils a seven-game winning streak going into the Pac-12 play. ASU had its winning streak snapped at Arizona (51-39 on Dec. 30) before rebounding with last weekend's wins. ASU has won nine of 10 games coming into Friday's contest against Stanford.
PROMOTIONS
Help Sun Devil women's basketball BLACK OUT the Cardinal on Friday night! Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite black Sun Devil gear and arrive early as the first 1,500 fans will receive a black rally towel!
For Sunday's game against Cal, the program will be hosting its annual Snow Day! Enjoy playing in the snow, music, and complimentary hot chocolate in the Arboretum (NE side of the arena) starting at 3:30 pm! The team will also bring awareness to pediatric cancer by wearing gold laces. Wear your gold Sun Devil gear to help support the cause.
LAST WEEKEND
The Sun Devil women's basketball team swept its weekend road trip, defeating Utah (65-63 on Friday) and Colorado (76-70 on Sunday). Kianna Ibis (19.0 ppg), Courtney Ekmark (11.0 ppg) and Charnea Johnson-Chapman (10.0 ppg) all averaged double figures in the two wins. Reili Richardson scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer at Utah. Ibis scored 27 points at Colorado, the most by a Sun Devil this season.
COVERAGE
Friday's game can be seen on Pac-12 Network/Arizona (Krista Blunk/Mary Murphy). It can also be heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 and on the Sun Devil Sports Network's TuneIn Channel (pregame coverage will start at 6:30 p.m. MT). 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.
RANKINGS/RPI
After occupying the No. 17 spot in the AP poll for four straight weeks, ASU dropped five spots after dropping its conference opener on Dec. 30. It rebounded to 19th following its wins last weekend at Utah and Colorado. ASU is also No. 19 in the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 women's basketball coaches' poll. The Sun Devils were 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... After its win over previously unbeaten Utah, the Sun Devils moved into the No. 13 spot in the NCAA RPI (Jan. 5) and are still there as of Jan. 9.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• ASU is currently ranked among the nation's top 25 in... scoring defense (14th/54.1 ppg), rebounding margin (15th/+9.5), assist-to-turnover ratio (17th/1.97), and fewest turnovers per game (17th/13.1).
• ASU has held the opposition to 12 or fewer points in a quarter 23x this season (single digits 14x) and outrebounded the opposition in all but one game (vs. Baylor).
• ASU has had 5 players lead/tie for the team lead in scoring: Kianna Ibis (6x), Courtney Ekmark (5x), Sophia Elenga (2x), Jamie Ruden (1x), and Reili Richardson (1x).
• Kianna Ibis has scored in double figures in all but 1 game this season. Her 27-point effort at Colorado represents the most points scored by a Sun Devil this season.
• Senior posts Charnea Johnson-Chapman (36-65/55.4) and Sophia Elenga (37-68/54.4) have combined to shoot 54.9 percent (73-133) from the floor.
• ASU has knocked down nine or more 3-pointers six times this season, something it accomplished twice all last season.
• ASU's bench has more than doubled the opposition in points per game, 27.9-11.6.
• ASU has won 84.8 percent of its home games (73-13) 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.
• ASU is 2-1 this season in games decided by five points or less. The Sun Devils prevailed in their first road game of the season at Arkansas 88-85 on Nov. 18. ASU came up short in its upset bid of current No. 3 Louisville as the Cardinals make a basket in the final seconds to escape with a 58-56 win at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas on Nov. 23. ASU overcame a six-point deficit with an 8-0 run in the final 80 seconds at Utah.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS STANFORD
Although Stanford has dominated the all-time series, ASU and Stanford have split their last 10 meetings. ASU swept the regular season series in 2014-15 (60-57 in Palo Alto/53-52 in Tempe) and again in 2015-16 (49-31 in Tempe/63-61-OT in Palo Alto). The 60-57 win at Stanford in Jan 2015 was ASU's first win over the Cardinal since February of 2006 and the first at Stanford since 1984. Prior to that Stanford had prevailed in the previous 16 meetings. Each team won on its home floor last season (ASU 73-66 in Tempe/Stanford 74-50 in the Bay Area) before meeting again in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, a contest won by Stanford 58-46. Charnea Johnson-Chapman led ASU in both points (10.0 ppg) and rebounds (7.7 rpg) in the 3 contests while connecting on 80 pct (12-15) of her FGs. Johnson-Chapman scored 12 of her career-high-tying 16 points in the 2nd half to help ASU win the first contest. Russell scored a career-high 12 points in the Pac-12 Tournament game.
NON-CONFERENCE SUMMARY
ASU concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 9-2 record, the 6th straight season it has won 9 or more games before the start of Pac-12 play. During that stretch ASU has won 84 percent of its regular-season, non-conference contests (58-11). ASU nearly upset top 5 teams on two different occasions in November. The Sun Devils had then-fourth-ranked Baylor on the ropes – ASU led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, by 11 at the half and entered the final period with a four-point lead – on Nov. 11, but in the end the Bears were able to outlast the Sun Devils, 65-59. On Nov. 23 ASU once again found itself in position to knock off a top-five team, this time it was then-No. 5 Louisville. ASU led by as many as six in the fourth quarter. After shooting 45 pct (13-29) in the second/third quarters, ASU shot only 14 percent over the final 10 minutes. Louisville scored the winning basket with less than two seconds left to escape with the victory. ASU's seven-game winning streak to conclude non-conference play represented the 24th time since 2004 that it has had a winning streak of five or more games. The string of wins was the program's longest since it tied the school record with 15 straight in 2015-16. During the winning streak ASU... Outscored the opposition by an average of 25.9 points (72.0-46.1)... Shot 47.0 percent, including 38.1 percent from long range... Averaged 18.9 assists and only 12.4 turnovers... Allowed its opponents to shoot only 34.3 percent... Was +14.4 on the boards... Guards Reili Richardson (36 assists/seven turnovers) and Kiara Russell (21 assists/seven turnovers) combined for 57 assists and only 14 turnovers during the winning streak. The duo combined to shoot 57 percent (24-42) during the same stretch. Ekmark led ASU in scoring (13.0 ppg) and knocked down 42 percent (20-48) of her 3-pointers during the winning streak.
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.
DOMINANT DEVIL DEFENSE
• ASU has allowed an average of only 56.3 ppg since the start of the 2014-15 season (150 games). ASU has held the opposition to 50 or less points 49 times during that stretch. They are 48-1 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 28.6 percent of its attempts from long range.
• Against then-No. 5 Louisville on Nov. 23, ASU held the Cardinals 25 points below their scoring average and put the clamps on Louisville's leading scorer Asia Durr, who had 14 points on 5-18 shooting (27.7 percent). Durr came into the contest averaging 25.7 points and had made half of her shots (26-52).
• In its 3 losses, ASU held the opposition well below its scoring average (based on scoring averages as of Jan. 9): Baylor/-18.3, Louisville/-25.9, Arizona /-22.1.
• 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 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.
BENCH PRODUCTION
In 2017-18 ASU's reserves outscored the opposition's bench 22.5-12.1. The overwhelming advantage in the category has continued this season as ASU's reserves have outscored the opposition's by an average of 27.9-11.6. Jamie Ruden, who paced ASU with 15 points in the season opener vs. Incarnate Word, finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.6 ppg) last season. Freshman Jamie Loera, who missed the first game recovering from illness, connected on her first five 3-pointers. In ASU's 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. Elenga was named to the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout All-Tournament Team after averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. Sun Devil reserves who have scored in double figures this season include Taya Hanson (11), Elenga (11, 13, 12), Iris Mbulito (13, 10) and Jamie Ruden (15, 14).
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. ASU's active career leader in points (896), rebounds (434), steals (85) and blocks (41), 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, who has scored in double figures in all but one games this season, currently leads the Sun Devils in scoring (13.1 ppg) and steals (1.4 spg) and is third in rebounds (5.7 rpg). Ibis has scored 20 or more points two times this season, including a season-high 27 points at Colorado (Jan. 6), 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 1st in the Pac-12 in assist-to-TO ratio (3.46). Richardson led ASU in assists last season (4.7 apg/9th in the Pac-12), was 3rd in steals (1.0 spg) and 4th in 3-point FGs (19). Her 166 assists for the season represented the fifth-highest, single-season total in program history. 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). Richardson, who last month was named to the ASU Classic All-Tournament Team for the second straight year, has 68 assists with only 20 turnovers this season and is currently No. 8 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Richardson, who scored the game-winning basket on a buzzer-beater at then-unbeaten (12-0) Utah (Jan. 4), is currently 10th on ASU's all-time list for career assists (360).
RYAN'S STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT PART OF ASU'S SUCCESS
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). Ryan is currently 3rd on the team in scoring (6.9 ppg) and 3-pointers (9) and is 4th in assists (1.5 apg) and 3-point FG percentage (36.0).
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). Ekmark, who scored a season-high 21 points at Colorado State (Dec. 9), currently leads ASU in 3-pointers (32). She has knocked down three or more triples six times this season and was ASU's leading scorer during its recent seven-game winning streak (13.0 ppg).
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). Johnson-Chapman has started every game and currently leads the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg/15th in the Pac-12) and is second on the team in FG pct. (55.4). Last weekend she averaged 10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg while shooting 64 percent in ASU's wins at Utah (Jan. 4) and Colorado (Jan. 6).
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). She is currently tied for 2nd on the team in 3-pointers (10) and is 2nd in 3pt FG pct (38.5/10-26).
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.
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.
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 (433 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.