WHAT: Sun Devil WBB (0-0) vs. Air Force (0-0)
WHEN: Tuesday at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
LIVE STREAM: http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university
RADIO: NBC Sports Radio AM 1060
LIVE AUDIO: Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel
LIVE STATS: Click here.
TICKETS: Click here to purchase.
UP NEXT
The No. 20 Arizona State women's basketball team opens the 2019-20 season on Tuesday (6 p.m.) when it hosts Air Force at Desert Financial Arena.
Tuesday's game will be the first of consecutive games the Sun Devils will host to begin the season as Army visits Tempe for a 5 p.m. game on Sunday.
The Sun Devils finished 15th in the nation in 2018-19, setting school records for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (six) and 20-win seasons (six). ASU won a pair of games in the 2019 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since 2005.
The Sun Devils return two starters in the form of guards Reili Richardson (started 89 of 101 games last three seasons) and Robbi Ryan (started 74 of 101 games last three seasons). ASU's three-year starter at point guard, Richardson concluded the 2018-19 season No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio and led the team and finished 6th in the Pac-12 in assists (5.0 apg). She enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456). Ryan, who earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention recognition from the league's coaches in 2018, started every game in 2018-19 and concluded the season second on the team in 3-pointers (29), third in scoring (7.2 ppg) and assists (1.8 apg) and fifth in rebounds (2.5 rpg).
Sophomore guards Taya Hanson and Iris Mbulito both competed internationally over the summer for the second straight season. Representing Canada at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Thailand, Hanson averaged 10.7 points in the tournament's seven games and led Canada in its final contest with 15 points. Mbulito, who earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention honors last season, helped Spain claim a fifth-place finish at the FIBA U20 European Championship held in the Czech Republic. Mbulito averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists (second among all players) in the seven games.
Also returning for ASU in the backcourt are senior Kiara Russell and sophomore Jamie Loera. Russell, who has 93 games of experience under her belt, finished second on the team in assists (2.2 apg) and fifth in FG pct. (45.7) last season. Despite being limited to 11 games last season, Loera still had an impact as ASU's leader in 3-point FG percentage (50.0/9-18).
The frontcourt is where the Sun Devils lost the most from last year's team as the squad is having to replace its top three scorers and rebounders. Returning posts for the Sun Devils include senior Jamie Ruden (averaged 6.1 ppg in 78 career games), junior Bre'yanna Sanders and sophomore Jayde Van Hyfte.
The Sun Devils will have four newcomers looking to have an immediate impact. Senior post Ja'Tavia Tapley brings her talents to ASU after being a strong contributor for USC where she started 41 games the last three seasons (26 starts in 2018-19). Also debuting for the Sun Devils later this fall will be freshman post Eboni Walker (state of Nevada's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019) and freshman guards Sydnei Caldwell (2019 McDonald's All-American Game nominee from the state of New Jersey) and Sara Bejedi, who represented Finland at the World University Games in July 2019 and finished third among all players in scoring (16.2 ppg), second in steals (3.0 spg) and tied for third in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
LIVE STREAM/RADIO/LIVE AUDIO
Tuesday's game vs. Air Force will be streamed at http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university. The game can also be heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 and the Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 16th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
SERIES NOTES VS. AIR FORCE
This will be the first meeting between the two schools. ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne served as a graduate assistant at Washington under current Air Force head coach.
FOR STARTERS
The Sun Devils have been victorious in 18 of their last 21 season openers, most recently a 81-43 win over Incarnate Word last season in Tempe. ASU's only opening day blemishes the last 21 years were a 75-60 setback at North Carolina in the 2007 State Farm Tip-Off Classic, a 61-49 decision at home against Texas Tech in 2013 and a 68-64 overtime loss to Kentucky in 2015.
SALUTE TO SERVICE
In celebration of Veterans Day, Arizona State University proudly honors veterans and active members of the military with an annual series of events across the metro Phoenix campuses. The ASU community is invited to attend all of the Salute to Service events, which include military appreciation athletic events, performances, panel discussions and activities sponsored by student clubs. Click here for list of all the events.
QUICK PLAYER NOTES
0 - Taya Hanson (So. G) – Played in every game last season and finished fifth on the team in 3-pointers… Has competed internationally for Canada each of the last two summers.
1- Reili Richardson (Sr. G) – Has played in 101 games (89 starts) and enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456).
3 - Sara Bejedi (Fr. G) – Represented Finland at the World University Games in July 2019 and finished third among all players in scoring (16.2 ppg), second in steals (3.0 spg) and tied for third in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
4 - Kiara Russell (Sr. G) – Has played in 93 career games and has finished second on the team in assists each of the last two seasons.
5 - Jamie Loera (So. G) – Led the team in 3-point FG pct (50.0/9-18) last season.
11 - Robbi Ryan (Sr. G) – Has played in 101 games (74 starts). Earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention recognition from the league's coaches in 2018.
21 - Sydnei Caldwell (Fr. G) – A 2019 McDonald's All-American Game nominee from the state of New Jersey, Caldwell was ranked No. 28 at her position by ESPN.com.
22 - Eboni Walker (Fr. F) - The 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada, Walker led her Centennial team to a 31-1 record and a fifth-straight Class 4A state championship in 2019.
23 - Iris Mbulito (So. G/F) – A 2019 Pac-12 All-Freshman Honorable Mention selection, Mbulito played in every game and led the team in free throw attempts, was second in steals (0.7 spg) and tied for fourth in assists (1.6 apg).
24 - Bre'yanna Sanders (Jr. F) – Has played in 38 games over the last two seasons.
32 - Jayde Van Hyfte (So. F) – As a freshman, played in 29 games and made 60.6 percent of her FGs (20-33).
33 - Ja'Tavia Tapley (Sr. F/C) – transferred to ASU from USC in April 2019. At USC, Tapley started 41 games the last three seasons, including 26 contests during the 2018-19 season.
52 - Jamie Ruden (Sr. F/C) – Excellent 3-point shooter who has played in 78 games over the last three seasons.
PRESEASON POLLS
Both the coaches and media picked the Sun Devils to finish fifth in the Pac-12.
ASU was ranked 20th in the preseason AP poll and 18th in the of the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll.
NOTES ON THE NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against five – and possibly as many as eight – teams that qualified for postseason play last March highlight the Arizona State women's basketball team's 2019 non-conference schedule.
The Sun Devils will play seven of their non-conference contests at home, including a tilt against 2019 NCAA Tournament participant BYU on Fri., Dec. 6. ASU will also host 2019 WNIT entries Idaho State (Sun., Dec. 8) and New Mexico (Sat., Dec. 14).
Both of ASU's road contests will be against stiff competition. Its third game of the season will be at 2019 WNIT participant Minnesota (Sun., Nov. 17). The Sun Devils' penultimate non-conference game will be at 2019 NCAA entrant New Mexico State (Wed., Dec. 18).
ASU will also play three games at the 2019 Gulf Coast Showcase. The field for the Thanksgiving weekend tournament includes Auburn (2019 NCAA First Round), Dayton (2019 WNIT First Round), Drake (2019 NCAA First Round), Gonzaga (2019 NCAA Second Round), Maine (2019 NCAA First Round), Middle Tennessee (2019 WNIT Second Round) and Purdue. ASU will open tournament play against Maine.
The Sun Devils will open the 2019-20 season on Tues., Nov. 5 when they host Air Force. Five days later (Sun., Nov. 10) ASU will host Army West Point.
A week after its game at Minnesota the Sun Devils will host Cal Poly on Sun., Nov. 24.
ASU will conclude non-conference play at home against Creighton on Fri., Dec. 20.
Including last season's 9-2 record, ASU's 58 regular season, non-conference wins are more than any other school in the Pac-12 since 2013.
REILI RICHARDSON GUIDES NEAR FLAWLESS ATTACK
One of the biggest reasons for ASU's outstanding execution on the offensive end over the last three seasons is the play of senior guard Reili Richardson. In 2018, Richardson's exceptional play at the point helped the Sun Devils shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.3). Richardson concluded the 2017-18 season ranked No. 4 in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in assist-to-TO ratio (3.46). Last season Richardson finished No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio and led the team and finished 6th in the Pac-12 in assists (5.0 apg). Richardson enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456). Richardson needs 28 assists to pass Elisha Davis (2013-16) for second place (483) and 79 assists to pass Briann January (2006-09) for most assists in program history.
GRAD TRANSFER JA'TAVIA TAPLEY JOINS SUN DEVIL WBB
The Sun Devil women's basketball team added a strong post player during the offseason when Charli Turner Thorne announced that Ja'Tavia Tapley was joining the program as a grad transfer from USC. A 6-3 forward, Tapley started 41 games at USC the last three seasons, including 26 contests during the 2018-19 season.
Tapley started 26 of 30 games in 2018-19 and averaged 6.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures four times and pulled down seven or more rebounds 10 times. Tapley averaged 12.0 points in USC's two games against Colorado, accounting for a career-high 14 points in the first meeting. Against Pac-12 champion and Final Four participant Oregon, Tapley had 13 points and seven boards. She posted season highs in rebounds (nine) and steals (four) against NCAA Tournament participant Texas A&M.
Tapley appeared in all 31 games in 2017-18 and scored a season-high nine points on two occasions. She recorded career highs with 10 rebounds and five steals vs. Arizona and also delivered a career-high four assists at Colorado.
Tapley played in all 30 games as a true freshman and was promoted to a starting role the second half of the season. She scored in double figures three times, including a career-high, 15-point effort against Arizona.
NIKKI BLUE JOINS SUN DEVIL WBB COACHING STAFF
Former UCLA All-American and Washington Mystics guard Nikki Blue was named assistant coach last April.Blue joined Charli Turner Thorne's staff from nearby Grand Canyon University where she was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator the last two seasons. In that position she oversaw the program's domestic and international recruiting, scouting and planning. In her first season on staff, Blue's guidance was instrumental in guard Brie Mobley earning All-WAC first-team recognition.
Blue arrived at GCU after spending three seasons as the top assistant at CSU Bakersfield, where she was part of a staff that helped the Roadrunners to a 2014 postseason appearance with 23 wins. Before Bakersfield, Blue spent six years as an assistant coach at UNLV, where she helped the Rebels land the Nevada Player of the Year out of high school and develop the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.
As a player, Blue had a decorated career at UCLA where earned Pac-10 first-team honors four times and was named a WBCA All-American in 2006. During her time at UCLA she played an integral role in leading the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament title.
Blue was drafted by the WNBA's Washington Mystics in 2006. She played four seasons with the Mystics and one with the New York Liberty before playing two seasons internationally with FIBA (one in Turkey and one in Greece).
WHEN: Tuesday at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
LIVE STREAM: http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university
RADIO: NBC Sports Radio AM 1060
LIVE AUDIO: Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel
LIVE STATS: Click here.
TICKETS: Click here to purchase.
UP NEXT
The No. 20 Arizona State women's basketball team opens the 2019-20 season on Tuesday (6 p.m.) when it hosts Air Force at Desert Financial Arena.
Tuesday's game will be the first of consecutive games the Sun Devils will host to begin the season as Army visits Tempe for a 5 p.m. game on Sunday.
The Sun Devils finished 15th in the nation in 2018-19, setting school records for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (six) and 20-win seasons (six). ASU won a pair of games in the 2019 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since 2005.
The Sun Devils return two starters in the form of guards Reili Richardson (started 89 of 101 games last three seasons) and Robbi Ryan (started 74 of 101 games last three seasons). ASU's three-year starter at point guard, Richardson concluded the 2018-19 season No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio and led the team and finished 6th in the Pac-12 in assists (5.0 apg). She enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456). Ryan, who earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention recognition from the league's coaches in 2018, started every game in 2018-19 and concluded the season second on the team in 3-pointers (29), third in scoring (7.2 ppg) and assists (1.8 apg) and fifth in rebounds (2.5 rpg).
Sophomore guards Taya Hanson and Iris Mbulito both competed internationally over the summer for the second straight season. Representing Canada at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Thailand, Hanson averaged 10.7 points in the tournament's seven games and led Canada in its final contest with 15 points. Mbulito, who earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention honors last season, helped Spain claim a fifth-place finish at the FIBA U20 European Championship held in the Czech Republic. Mbulito averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists (second among all players) in the seven games.
Also returning for ASU in the backcourt are senior Kiara Russell and sophomore Jamie Loera. Russell, who has 93 games of experience under her belt, finished second on the team in assists (2.2 apg) and fifth in FG pct. (45.7) last season. Despite being limited to 11 games last season, Loera still had an impact as ASU's leader in 3-point FG percentage (50.0/9-18).
The frontcourt is where the Sun Devils lost the most from last year's team as the squad is having to replace its top three scorers and rebounders. Returning posts for the Sun Devils include senior Jamie Ruden (averaged 6.1 ppg in 78 career games), junior Bre'yanna Sanders and sophomore Jayde Van Hyfte.
The Sun Devils will have four newcomers looking to have an immediate impact. Senior post Ja'Tavia Tapley brings her talents to ASU after being a strong contributor for USC where she started 41 games the last three seasons (26 starts in 2018-19). Also debuting for the Sun Devils later this fall will be freshman post Eboni Walker (state of Nevada's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019) and freshman guards Sydnei Caldwell (2019 McDonald's All-American Game nominee from the state of New Jersey) and Sara Bejedi, who represented Finland at the World University Games in July 2019 and finished third among all players in scoring (16.2 ppg), second in steals (3.0 spg) and tied for third in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
LIVE STREAM/RADIO/LIVE AUDIO
Tuesday's game vs. Air Force will be streamed at http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university. The game can also be heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 and the Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 16th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
SERIES NOTES VS. AIR FORCE
This will be the first meeting between the two schools. ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne served as a graduate assistant at Washington under current Air Force head coach.
FOR STARTERS
The Sun Devils have been victorious in 18 of their last 21 season openers, most recently a 81-43 win over Incarnate Word last season in Tempe. ASU's only opening day blemishes the last 21 years were a 75-60 setback at North Carolina in the 2007 State Farm Tip-Off Classic, a 61-49 decision at home against Texas Tech in 2013 and a 68-64 overtime loss to Kentucky in 2015.
SALUTE TO SERVICE
In celebration of Veterans Day, Arizona State University proudly honors veterans and active members of the military with an annual series of events across the metro Phoenix campuses. The ASU community is invited to attend all of the Salute to Service events, which include military appreciation athletic events, performances, panel discussions and activities sponsored by student clubs. Click here for list of all the events.
QUICK PLAYER NOTES
0 - Taya Hanson (So. G) – Played in every game last season and finished fifth on the team in 3-pointers… Has competed internationally for Canada each of the last two summers.
1- Reili Richardson (Sr. G) – Has played in 101 games (89 starts) and enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456).
3 - Sara Bejedi (Fr. G) – Represented Finland at the World University Games in July 2019 and finished third among all players in scoring (16.2 ppg), second in steals (3.0 spg) and tied for third in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
4 - Kiara Russell (Sr. G) – Has played in 93 career games and has finished second on the team in assists each of the last two seasons.
5 - Jamie Loera (So. G) – Led the team in 3-point FG pct (50.0/9-18) last season.
11 - Robbi Ryan (Sr. G) – Has played in 101 games (74 starts). Earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention recognition from the league's coaches in 2018.
21 - Sydnei Caldwell (Fr. G) – A 2019 McDonald's All-American Game nominee from the state of New Jersey, Caldwell was ranked No. 28 at her position by ESPN.com.
22 - Eboni Walker (Fr. F) - The 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada, Walker led her Centennial team to a 31-1 record and a fifth-straight Class 4A state championship in 2019.
23 - Iris Mbulito (So. G/F) – A 2019 Pac-12 All-Freshman Honorable Mention selection, Mbulito played in every game and led the team in free throw attempts, was second in steals (0.7 spg) and tied for fourth in assists (1.6 apg).
24 - Bre'yanna Sanders (Jr. F) – Has played in 38 games over the last two seasons.
32 - Jayde Van Hyfte (So. F) – As a freshman, played in 29 games and made 60.6 percent of her FGs (20-33).
33 - Ja'Tavia Tapley (Sr. F/C) – transferred to ASU from USC in April 2019. At USC, Tapley started 41 games the last three seasons, including 26 contests during the 2018-19 season.
52 - Jamie Ruden (Sr. F/C) – Excellent 3-point shooter who has played in 78 games over the last three seasons.
PRESEASON POLLS
Both the coaches and media picked the Sun Devils to finish fifth in the Pac-12.
ASU was ranked 20th in the preseason AP poll and 18th in the of the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll.
NOTES ON THE NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against five – and possibly as many as eight – teams that qualified for postseason play last March highlight the Arizona State women's basketball team's 2019 non-conference schedule.
The Sun Devils will play seven of their non-conference contests at home, including a tilt against 2019 NCAA Tournament participant BYU on Fri., Dec. 6. ASU will also host 2019 WNIT entries Idaho State (Sun., Dec. 8) and New Mexico (Sat., Dec. 14).
Both of ASU's road contests will be against stiff competition. Its third game of the season will be at 2019 WNIT participant Minnesota (Sun., Nov. 17). The Sun Devils' penultimate non-conference game will be at 2019 NCAA entrant New Mexico State (Wed., Dec. 18).
ASU will also play three games at the 2019 Gulf Coast Showcase. The field for the Thanksgiving weekend tournament includes Auburn (2019 NCAA First Round), Dayton (2019 WNIT First Round), Drake (2019 NCAA First Round), Gonzaga (2019 NCAA Second Round), Maine (2019 NCAA First Round), Middle Tennessee (2019 WNIT Second Round) and Purdue. ASU will open tournament play against Maine.
The Sun Devils will open the 2019-20 season on Tues., Nov. 5 when they host Air Force. Five days later (Sun., Nov. 10) ASU will host Army West Point.
A week after its game at Minnesota the Sun Devils will host Cal Poly on Sun., Nov. 24.
ASU will conclude non-conference play at home against Creighton on Fri., Dec. 20.
Including last season's 9-2 record, ASU's 58 regular season, non-conference wins are more than any other school in the Pac-12 since 2013.
REILI RICHARDSON GUIDES NEAR FLAWLESS ATTACK
One of the biggest reasons for ASU's outstanding execution on the offensive end over the last three seasons is the play of senior guard Reili Richardson. In 2018, Richardson's exceptional play at the point helped the Sun Devils shatter the school record for fewest turnovers per game (11.3). Richardson concluded the 2017-18 season ranked No. 4 in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in assist-to-TO ratio (3.46). Last season Richardson finished No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio and led the team and finished 6th in the Pac-12 in assists (5.0 apg). Richardson enters the 2019-20 season in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (456). Richardson needs 28 assists to pass Elisha Davis (2013-16) for second place (483) and 79 assists to pass Briann January (2006-09) for most assists in program history.
GRAD TRANSFER JA'TAVIA TAPLEY JOINS SUN DEVIL WBB
The Sun Devil women's basketball team added a strong post player during the offseason when Charli Turner Thorne announced that Ja'Tavia Tapley was joining the program as a grad transfer from USC. A 6-3 forward, Tapley started 41 games at USC the last three seasons, including 26 contests during the 2018-19 season.
Tapley started 26 of 30 games in 2018-19 and averaged 6.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures four times and pulled down seven or more rebounds 10 times. Tapley averaged 12.0 points in USC's two games against Colorado, accounting for a career-high 14 points in the first meeting. Against Pac-12 champion and Final Four participant Oregon, Tapley had 13 points and seven boards. She posted season highs in rebounds (nine) and steals (four) against NCAA Tournament participant Texas A&M.
Tapley appeared in all 31 games in 2017-18 and scored a season-high nine points on two occasions. She recorded career highs with 10 rebounds and five steals vs. Arizona and also delivered a career-high four assists at Colorado.
Tapley played in all 30 games as a true freshman and was promoted to a starting role the second half of the season. She scored in double figures three times, including a career-high, 15-point effort against Arizona.
NIKKI BLUE JOINS SUN DEVIL WBB COACHING STAFF
Former UCLA All-American and Washington Mystics guard Nikki Blue was named assistant coach last April.Blue joined Charli Turner Thorne's staff from nearby Grand Canyon University where she was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator the last two seasons. In that position she oversaw the program's domestic and international recruiting, scouting and planning. In her first season on staff, Blue's guidance was instrumental in guard Brie Mobley earning All-WAC first-team recognition.
Blue arrived at GCU after spending three seasons as the top assistant at CSU Bakersfield, where she was part of a staff that helped the Roadrunners to a 2014 postseason appearance with 23 wins. Before Bakersfield, Blue spent six years as an assistant coach at UNLV, where she helped the Rebels land the Nevada Player of the Year out of high school and develop the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.
As a player, Blue had a decorated career at UCLA where earned Pac-10 first-team honors four times and was named a WBCA All-American in 2006. During her time at UCLA she played an integral role in leading the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament title.
Blue was drafted by the WNBA's Washington Mystics in 2006. She played four seasons with the Mystics and one with the New York Liberty before playing two seasons internationally with FIBA (one in Turkey and one in Greece).