Arizona State (7-1) is looking for their fourth straight win over Stanford at Desert Financial Arena, which would move them to 2-0 to start conference play. As if you needed more reasons to support Sun Devil Men's Basketball, the Sunday matchup is the Indigenous Recognition Game and new Sun Devil Football Head Coach Kenny Dillingham will be in attendance.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tune-in to ESPN 2 at 5 PM MST to watch Sun Devil Men's Basketball take on Stanford, as ASU makes another appearance on the ESPN family of networks. All 31 of Arizona State's games this season will be televised, with Coach Hurley's squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, CBS, and Pac-12 Network in addition to several major network affiliates. Listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on ESPN 620 AM. The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
GET TICKETS
Want to see one of the nation's best defensive teams in action? Have an itch to watch some high-flying dunks? How about a team building momentum? Well you are in luck! The remainder of tickets for Sun Devil Men's Basketball home games are now on sale. You can have an impact on our home-court advantage. Plenty of options are still available, but you must act soon. The last chance to purchase season tickets is Dec. 4. Six-Game mini plans are still available, starting at only $90. Group ticket packages are a great option for parties of 15 or more. Get more information on all of our different packages by calling the Ticket Sales and Service team at 480-965-5812 or sundeviltickets@asu.edu.
7-1 START
Desmond Cambridge Jr. drilled a three-pointer with 2.6 seconds to go as the Arizona State men's basketball team completed their largest comeback victory since 1994 on the road, defeating Colorado 60-59. The Sun Devils moved to 7-1 by stopping the Buffaloes down the stretch, holding CU without a field goal over the final 6:40 in regulation. All 11 of Desmond Cambridge Jr.'s points - including the go-ahead basket - came in the second half. Playing without guard Frankie Collins due to a non-COVID related illness, the Sun Devils were led by 18 points from Devan Cambridge, who was followed by the 11 points from his brother.
INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION GAME
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will celebrate the heritage of the state by hosting a Indigenous Recognition Game on Sunday when they take on Stanford. Arizona State has a special connection to the Indigenous community. Freshman guard Malcolm Flaggs is from Tuba City, Arizona, one of the few Indigenous representatives in college basketball. He is of Navajo decent and was born on the Reservation before moving to Chandler when he was two years old. Read more about Malcolm's story.
Visit the Indigenous Sun Devil Market in the Arboretum on the North side of Desert Financial Arena before the game. Be sure to stay in your seats for halftime for a special performance by 2022 World Champion Hoop Dancer Sampson Sinquah.
INTRODUCING COACH DILLINGHAM
New Sun Devil Football Head Coach Kenny Dillingham will be in attendance, supporting Sun Devil Men's Basketball against Stanford. He will be introduced to Sun Devil Nation at the first timeout of the first half.
CLOSE CALLS
ASU has played in a two-possession game in its first four of its first nine contests, boasting a 3-1 record. The Sun Devils are now 26-12 in two possession games over the last three seasons.
LOCKING IT DOWN
For the first time since at least 1996-97, the ASU defense held an opponent to less than 28% from the floor in consecutive games. Earlier in the year, Arizona State held Alcorn State to 19-70 (27.1%) after holding Grambling State to 17-64 (26.6%). With the exception of the first game of the season, Arizona State has held the opponents leading scorer to less than their season average in all seven wins this season. ASU ranks third nationally in defensive field goal percentage, with opponents shooting only 34.4%.
SHARING THE ROCK
The victory over Alcorn State marked the second consecutive game that ASU has at least 20 assists. They had two such games all of last season. The Sun Devils scored 80% of their baskets on assists in those two games, accomplishing the feat only once in the previous 129 games.
THREE POINT DEFENSE
The Sun Devils three-point defense has been exceptional this season. After Colorado started 6-for-13 in the first half from behind the arc, Arizona State held them to 4-of-13 in the second half. Opponents are now shooting 41-166 (24.7%) overall from three point range against ASU including 18-81 (22.2%) in the first half.
The Maroon & Gold have proven to be one of the nation's most effective teams at getting to and converting at the free throw line. ASU averages 16.5 made free throws per game, which is good for 28th in the country. They attempt 25.3 per game, which is the 24th-best total in the nation. Seven players have shot at least ten free throws so far this season, led by Frankie Collins' 40 attempts. Luther Muhammad has the best percentage on the team, making 16-of-17 (94%) from the stripe so far.
BALANCED SCORING
A signature of the Arizona State offense has been the different individuals stepping up at the offensive end. The Maroon & Gold are averaging 72.3 points per game and four different Sun Devils are averaging at least 10.0 points per game or more (D.J. Horne, Frankie Collins, Marcus Bagley, Devan Cambridge). Ten different individuals average at least 3.0 points per game and nine have scored in double figures in at least one game.
BLOCK PARTY
Arizona State continues to find themselves near the top of the national rankings in blocks per game, averaging 6.0. The Sun Devils had nine blocks in the November victory over Alcorn State, the fifth game with six blocks or more. Ten players have recorded at least one block this season, led by Warren Washington's 15. ASU's ranks 11th nationally in blocks per game.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Freshman Austin Nunez and Duke Brennan have made an immediate impact in Tempe and continue to come through with crucial contributions . The duo was not phased by the significance of the Legends Classic, teaming up to produce 34 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in 72 minutes of combined action. Through eight games, Nunez and Brennan are averaging 8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists in 26.7 minutes while adding six blocks and seven steals.
Arizona State received votes in AP Poll this past week. A new edition of each poll will be available on Monday. The first edition of the NET Rankings will be released by the NCAA on Monday, Dec. 5.
942 CREW GIVEAWAY
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIALIT'S ALMOST TIME FOR @SunDevilHoops????
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) December 4, 2022
Come pack DFA TONIGHT for the Pac-12 home opener??
??Stanford ????
?5 PM
STUDENT GIVEAWAY: Indigenous Recognition Holiday Sweater????
DOORS OPEN AT 4?? pic.twitter.com/cidkSXv4aq
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).