THE EVENT: 2023 Pac-12 WBB Tournament First Round
THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (8-19, 1-17 Pac-12/No. 12 seed) vs. No. 19 UCLA (22-8, 11-7 Pac-12/No. 5 seed)
WHEN: Wednesday at 1 p.m. MST/12 p.m. PST
WHERE: Michelob ULTRA Arena • Las Vegas, Nev.
TV: Pac-12 Network, Arizona, Los Angeles
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
SUN DEVIL TOP SEASON POINTS PER GAME
21.3 -- Kym Hampton, 1981-82
20.2 -- Kym Hampton 20.2, 1983-84
19.5 -- Karen O'Connor, 1988-89
19.2 -- Olivia Jones, 1982-83
19.0 -- Tyi Skinner, 2022-23
18.9 -- Kym Hampton 1982-83
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team commences postseason play on Wednesday (1 p.m. MST) when it faces No. 19 UCLA in the first of four Pac-12 Tournament first round games at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Like all other teams participating in conference tournaments across the country, the Sun Devils (8-19, 1-17 Pac-12/No. 12 seed) start with a clean slate when they play the Bruins (22-8, 11-7 Pac-12/No. 5 seed) on Wednesday.
Although the Sun Devils have zero margin for error when it comes to extending their season, the bottom line for them is this: win four games in five days and they earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Competing in the best women's basketball conference in the country means there is no easy path to the tournament championship. ASU is among eight teams that would have win four games to bring home the title. For four other teams – No. 6 Stanford (#1 seed), No. 3 Utah (#2 seed), No. 20 Colorado (#3 seed), No. 21 Arizona (#4 seed) – the task is a tad less daunting in that they would have to win three games in four days by virtue of earning a first round bye (awarded to the league's top four regular season finishers). The winner of Wednesday's ASU-UCLA matchup will move on to meet Arizona on Thursday (1 p.m. MST) in the first of four quarterfinal games.
For ASU, Wednesday's opener is a rematch of an 82-63 setback to the Bruins in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, the only meeting of the season between the two squads. ASU guards Tyi Skinner (game-high 28 points), Treasure Hunt (18 points) and Jaddan Simmons (10 points, game high-tying seven rebounds) accounted for 56 of ASU's points. The Bruins outscored ASU 47-34 in the second half, including a 14-3 run to start the final quarter, to break open what was a six-point game at the half.
PAC-12 RECOGNITION
Sun Devil women's basketball junior guards Tyi Skinner and Jaddan Simmons were recognized by the Pac-12 on Tuesday as the conference announced its annual awards for the 2022-23 season as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who transferred to ASU after starting her career at the University of Delaware, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. Simmons, a three-year starter, earned honorable mention on the Pac-12's All-Defensive team.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS UCLA
• Including its win on over ASU on Feb .5, UCLA has won the last 13 meetings. ASU is 2-4 vs. UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament.
• ASU's last win over UCLA came in 2016 when the No. 8 Sun Devils knocked off No. 14 UCLA, 65-61 in Tempe. Katie Hempen broke the school record for 3-pointers, knocking down four in the win over the Bruins.
CURRENT STORYLINES (STATS LISTED ARE AS OF FEB. 26)
• ASU enters the Pac-12 Tournament as the league leader in fewest TOs per game (12.1/9th in the nation). In fact, ASU's average of 12.1 turnovers per game is No. 2 in school history. The school record was set by the 2017-18 team (11.7) and followed that with only 12.5 in 2018-19.
• ASU is 2nd in the conference in FTs made (14.04) & attempted (2nd/19.22) per game and TO margin (+2.89) and is 6th in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.2)
• In Pac-12 games, ASU concluded the season 2nd in turnover margin (+4.50), 5th in steals per game (7.06), 6th in offensive rebounds per game (12.13) and 10th in assist-TO-ratio (0.87).
• ASU has forced a season-high 20 turnovers five times this season. All five instances have come in ASU's last 12 games. ASU is +6.3 in turnover margin during that stretch.
• Tyi Skinner (24x/27 games) and Jaddan Simmons (21/26 games), have combined to score in double figures 45x out of a possible 53 opportunities. Skinner's current per-game scoring average of 19.0 ppg ranks No. 5 in program history. Sun Devil Hall of Famer Kym Hampton is the only player in school history to average 20 or more points in a season. She did it in 1981-82 (21.3 ppg) and again in 1993-84 (20.2 ppg). In addition, with eleven triples in ASU's last five games, Skinner has quickly ascended up the program's single-season Top 10 for most 3-pointers (currently 5th with 64). Katie Hempen (76 in 2014-15) is No. 1.
• Only four players have played in all 27 games: Skinner (27 starts), Kayla Mokwuah (24 starts), Meg Newman (5 starts) and Trayanna Crisp (6 starts). Both Simmons and Treasure Hunt have missed one game due to illness/injury and have started all 26 games they have played in. As of Feb. 26, ASU has three of the top six players in the Pac-12 in minutes per game: 2. Simmons (36.63), 3. Skinner (36.35), 6. Hunt (33.92).
IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE NAME TYI SKINNER YET... GET READY
How talented is the Pac-12 in 2022-23? Perhaps otherworldly might be the best adjective to describe it. How else can it be explained there was no room on the 15-member All-Pac-12 team for ASU junior guard Tyi Skinner? In her first season as a Sun Devil, Skinner finished the regular season 2nd in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.0 ppg/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.37) and 20-point games (14) and was sixth in steals (1.78 spg). To top it off, Skinner has a chance to be one of only five Sun Devils in program history to average 19.0 or more ppg.
It did not take long for Skinner, who transferred to ASU from Delaware, to ascend to 'must-see' status for all basketball fans. On Nov. 30, Skinner scored 15 of her game- and career-high 29 points in the 4th quarter of ASU's come-from-behind (11-point deficit) win at Grand Canyon. Less than a week later, Skinner tied her career high in scoring for the second time in three games (29 points) and came one triple short of tying the single-game school record after hitting six vs. Missouri (Dec. 4).
Skinner's current scoring average of 19.0 ppg, ranks 5th in program annals going back to 1979. Only Sun Devil Sports Hall of Famer Kym Hampton has ever averaged more than 20 points in a season. She did it in 1982 (21.3 ppg) and again in 1984 (20.2 ppg). In addition, Skinner's 64 triples are currently No. 4 for most by a Sun Devil in a single season.
In ASU's Pac-12 opener at Arizona (Dec. 29), Skinner dropped 26 on the Wildcats (only one player scored more vs. UA this season). She averaged 21.5 ppg vs. Stanford and in ASU's first meeting vs. Cal, Skinner scored 13 points and pulled down a team- and career-high 10 rebs for the first double-double of her career.
On Feb. 5, Skinner again connected on six 3-pointers in a 28-point effort at UCLA (Feb. 5), the most points scored vs. UCLA this season. Earlier this month, Skinner went off for 27 points 2x in 3 games: vs. Colorado (Feb. 10), at OSU (Feb. 23). The 27 points remain the highest point total allowed by Colorado this season. At OSU, Skinner poured in 19 of her game-high 27 points in the second half to help ASU overcome a 17-point hole in the second half for the come-from-behind win.
SIMMONS' SOLID, STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ASU'S SUCCESS
Among returning players, Jaddan Simmons is ASU's most experienced player (76 starts/76 games). As great as Simmons' play was her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to an even higher level this season.
A starter in all 26 games she's played this season (DNP vs. Missouri on Dec. 4/illness), Simmons has scored in double figures in all but five games this season. Her recent streak of scoring in double figures (11 games) came to an end on Feb. 19 versus Utah, when she had eight points. She was still a factor in ASU's near upset of the Utes as she tied her season high in assists (6) for the third time this season. During the aforementioned 11-game streak of scoring in double figures, Simmons averaged 13.4 ppg and led ASU in steals (2.1 spg) and assists (2.7 apg) and was 2nd in rebounds (4.5 rpg) and offensive rebounds (1.7 rpg).
Simmons, who has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 14x, currently leads ASU in minutes (36.63 mpg/2nd in Pac-12/24th in nation) assists (3.2 apg/14th in Pac-12) and steals (1.88 spg/4th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in FTs made (89) and attempted (118) and FT pct. (75.4/12th in Pac-12). Over ASU's last 10 games, Simmons leads ASU in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and is tied for the team lead in offensive boards (1.9 rpg). In ASU's last six games, Simmons has averaged 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals.
Simmons opened the 2022-23 campaign with nine straight double-digit scoring efforts, including a career high-tying 22 points in ASU's season opener vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 7). She made a career-high 11 FTs as part of her 19 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) and led or tied for the team lead in scoring in ASU's near victories vs. WSU (Jan. 27 - scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half) and vs. UW (Jan. 29 - tied for team lead with 11 points had team highs with 5 assists and 2 steals.
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
A starter in all 26 games she's played this season and currently ASU's leader in rebounds (6.0 rpg/12th in Pac-12) and 2nd in 3-pointers per game (1.1), Treasure Hunt, joined ASU after playing her first two seasons at Kentucky (30 starts/45 games).
Hunt had a strong start to the season, averaging a double-double over the season's first four games (13.5 ppg/10.3 rpg). The opening sequence included 19 points in ASU's win at Montana State (Nov. 15). She averaged 4.5 ppg in her next four games, two of which came in the immediate aftermath of an injury she incurred in ASU's first loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
Hunt, who is third on the team in minutes (33.92/6th in Pac-12), has scored in double figures 16x, with 13 of those performances coming in ASU's last 18 games. She scored 22 points in ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She added her third double-double of the season (17 points/12 rebs) vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She again topped her career high in scoring with 24 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
In league play, Hunt made 73.7 percent of her free throws, 5.3 percentage points higher than her season percentage of 68.4.
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• A starter in 24 games, TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah leads ASU in offensive rebs (2.0 rpg/14th in Pac-12) and blocks per game (0.8), is 3rd on the team in rebs (4.9 rpg/6 or more rebs 11x this season) and 4th in scoring (6.1 ppg). Mokwuah's second career double-double (16 points, 13 rebs) proved critical in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). She also scored in double figures vs. Grambling (Nov. 11 - 10 points) & in each of last 3 games: vs. Utah (11 points, 7 rebs), at OSU (14 points, 8 rebs) and at UO (10 points, 5 rebs). She averaged 11.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg during that stretch.
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) and at Arizona (Dec. 29), Meg Newman came off the bench and provided ASU with a pair of big-time efforts: 11.0 ppg/13.5 rpg. Newman had career highs in points (12) and rebounds (18) for her first career double-double in ASU's win over PVAM. Newman's 18 boards were the most by a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley (also 18) in 2019 vs. BYU. Newman leads the team in FG pct. (45.9) and is 2nd in rebounds (5.1 rpg).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp, who has started 6 games, averaged double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) and connected on 60 pct of her field goals (9-15) at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Crisp, who made her first career start in place of Jaddan Simmons (illness) vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, is currently 3rd on the team in assists per game (1.4), 4th in 3-pointers per game (0.5) and 5th in scoring (5.3 ppg). She's had a season-high 5 assists 3x and 5 rebounds 2x. Crisp averaged double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the second time this season vs. WSU (Jan. 27/11 points) and vs. UW (Jan. 29/9 points).
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is 4th on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.5). She posted scored a then-career high 11 points 3 triples in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30). On Feb. 19, Erikstrup recorded her first career double-double when she put up career highs in points (15) and rebounds (10) and tied her career high in triples (3) vs. then-No. 4 Utah.
• In the 22 games Isadora Sousa has played in – missed five games due to injury, was injured less than three minutes into game vs. Oregon (Jan. 6) and was limited to only 10 minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) – she has connected on 43 pct of her FGs. Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and scored a career high-tying 7 points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2). Sousa contributed 5.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg while averaging 20 minutes per game vs. WSU (Jan. 27) and UW (Jan. 29). She added 5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists while playing a career-high 34 minutes vs. Stanford (Feb. 12). Sousa scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in ASU's near upset of then-No. 4 Utah (Feb. 5).
INJURIES ALL TOO COMMON THEME IN 2022-23
On the last day of November, ASU found itself with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7. During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success was dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. At the start of the month, ASU had eight players who were averaging double figures in minutes. And that number did not include junior center Imogen Greenslade and freshman forward Journey Thompson, two players who were gradually seeing increased playing time.
After accounting for 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30), Thompson had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass (Dec. 2). However, Thompson was injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). In her first game back (also her first career starting assignment), Thompson accounted for 11 points and six rebounds in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She only played in 14 minutes in ASU's first three Pac-12 contests, including a DNP at Stanford (Dec. 31), due to illness. The following week, Thompson pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon State (Jan. 8). She has not played since the OSU game due to injury.
In addition to not having Thompson vs. Missouri (Dec. 4), ASU was without junior guard Jaddan Simmons (the team's second-leading scorer) and senior guard Isadora Sousa (averaged seven rebounds in three most recent outings in addition to providing ASU with an important defensive presence).
In ASU's 75-60 loss at SFA on Dec. 11, the Sun Devils had nearly as many players in uniform (eight) as players who were not suited up (six). The latter group was comprised of injured players and played a major factor in the outcome. Simmons was back in the lineup but Greenslade was not available in addition to Thompson and Sousa. Thus, for the second straight game, ASU had seven players who accounted for nearly all the minutes. Just like in its loss to Missouri, ASU looked every bit the team that had won six of its first seven games – for the first 20 minutes. The final result? Just like against Missouri, fresher bodies enabled the opposition to outscore and out rebound ASU.
In its non-conference finale, an 82-67 win over Prairie View A&M, freshman guard Jaylah Robinson made her first career appearance after missing the first 10 games. It remains Robinson's only appearance this season.
At the start of Pac-12 play, ASU was boosted by the return of Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford (Dec. 31) and at Cal (Jan. 2). Sousa once again went down with an injury less than three minutes into ASU's contest vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She missed ASU's game vs. OSU (Jan. 8) before being limited to nine minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
ASU's injury situation reached its nadir the second week in January when it had to forfeit games at Utah (Jan. 13) and at Colorado (Jan. 15) due to not having enough healthy players to play.
Greenslade returned to play at USC (Feb. 3), her first action since Dec. 4. She had a season high in scoring (6 points) in the first half vs. Cal (Feb. 10), before being forced to leave the game due to injury.
Sousa was once again forced to leave ASU's game in the second half at Oregon (Feb. 25).
DEVILS HAVE BEEN WITHOUT PAIR OF DIFFERENCE MAKERS ALL SEASON
In addition to all the injuries ASU has incurred throughout the regular season, there are two additional players – returning junior G/F Maggie Besselink and sophomore transfer G Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) – who have not played this season due to injury. If healthy, both players would almost certainly be significant contributors.
A versatile scorer, Besselink started 21 of 30 games she played in her first two seasons at ASU and was among the team leaders in rebounds and offensive rebounds both seasons. A rising star in the Canadian national program, in the summer of 2019 Besselink was named to Canada's U19 national team. In February, 2020, Besselink traveled to the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago to participate in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp, which invites the top international 64 girls and boys from 34 countries and regions.
ESPN ranked Wiggins as the nation's No. 18 prospect in the class of 2021. A three-time all-state selection at Kalamazoo Central, she one of five finalists for the 2021 Miss Basketball award and received Division 1 co-Player of Year honors from the Associated Press as a senior. She was part of signing class at UNC that was ranked No. 3 by ESPN.
CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INCLUDED EIGHT TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR POSTSEASON PLAY IN 2022
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlighted ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU played five of its non-conference games at home. Included in those games were tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2/L, 64-88) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4/L, 60-71) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved too much for ASU to overcome. The Sun Devils led the Tigers 31-28 at the half. ASU's lack of depth due to its injury situation affected its ability to defend a Missouri squad with a proven knack for scoring the basketball. Ultimately, the Tigers came away with the win.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61) and current No. 5 Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85). The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win.
Other teams ASU faced that qualified for 2022 postseason play included road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round/W, 80-72) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round/L, 60-75).
MOST SINGLE-SEASON POINTS IN ASU HISTORY
683 – Kym Hampton, 1981-82
576 – Olivia Jones, 1982-83
568 – Kym Hampton, 1982-83
565 – Kym Hampton, 1980-81
550 – Amanda Levens, 2001-02
545 – Kym Hampton, 1983-84
545 – Karen O'Connor, 1988-89
513 – Tyi Skinner, 2022-23
MOST SINGLE-SEASON 3-POINTERS IN ASU HISTORY
76 – Katie Hempen (2014-15)
68 – Courtney Ekmark (2018-19)
65 – Katie Hempen (2015-16)
65 – Briann January (2008-09)
64 – Tyi Skinner (2022-23)
ALL-PAC-12 HONORS
Sun Devils Jaddan Simmons and Tyi Skinner were recognized by the Pac-12 on Tuesday as the conference announced its annual awards for the 2021-22 season as voted on by the league's head coaches. Simmons, a three-year starter, earned honorable mentions on the Pac-12's All-Defensive team. Skinner, who transferred to ASU after starting her career at the University of Delaware earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors.
JADDAN SIMMONS
THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (8-19, 1-17 Pac-12/No. 12 seed) vs. No. 19 UCLA (22-8, 11-7 Pac-12/No. 5 seed)
WHEN: Wednesday at 1 p.m. MST/12 p.m. PST
WHERE: Michelob ULTRA Arena • Las Vegas, Nev.
TV: Pac-12 Network, Arizona, Los Angeles
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
SUN DEVIL TOP SEASON POINTS PER GAME
21.3 -- Kym Hampton, 1981-82
20.2 -- Kym Hampton 20.2, 1983-84
19.5 -- Karen O'Connor, 1988-89
19.2 -- Olivia Jones, 1982-83
19.0 -- Tyi Skinner, 2022-23
18.9 -- Kym Hampton 1982-83
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team commences postseason play on Wednesday (1 p.m. MST) when it faces No. 19 UCLA in the first of four Pac-12 Tournament first round games at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Like all other teams participating in conference tournaments across the country, the Sun Devils (8-19, 1-17 Pac-12/No. 12 seed) start with a clean slate when they play the Bruins (22-8, 11-7 Pac-12/No. 5 seed) on Wednesday.
Although the Sun Devils have zero margin for error when it comes to extending their season, the bottom line for them is this: win four games in five days and they earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Competing in the best women's basketball conference in the country means there is no easy path to the tournament championship. ASU is among eight teams that would have win four games to bring home the title. For four other teams – No. 6 Stanford (#1 seed), No. 3 Utah (#2 seed), No. 20 Colorado (#3 seed), No. 21 Arizona (#4 seed) – the task is a tad less daunting in that they would have to win three games in four days by virtue of earning a first round bye (awarded to the league's top four regular season finishers). The winner of Wednesday's ASU-UCLA matchup will move on to meet Arizona on Thursday (1 p.m. MST) in the first of four quarterfinal games.
For ASU, Wednesday's opener is a rematch of an 82-63 setback to the Bruins in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, the only meeting of the season between the two squads. ASU guards Tyi Skinner (game-high 28 points), Treasure Hunt (18 points) and Jaddan Simmons (10 points, game high-tying seven rebounds) accounted for 56 of ASU's points. The Bruins outscored ASU 47-34 in the second half, including a 14-3 run to start the final quarter, to break open what was a six-point game at the half.
PAC-12 RECOGNITION
Sun Devil women's basketball junior guards Tyi Skinner and Jaddan Simmons were recognized by the Pac-12 on Tuesday as the conference announced its annual awards for the 2022-23 season as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who transferred to ASU after starting her career at the University of Delaware, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. Simmons, a three-year starter, earned honorable mention on the Pac-12's All-Defensive team.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS UCLA
• Including its win on over ASU on Feb .5, UCLA has won the last 13 meetings. ASU is 2-4 vs. UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament.
• ASU's last win over UCLA came in 2016 when the No. 8 Sun Devils knocked off No. 14 UCLA, 65-61 in Tempe. Katie Hempen broke the school record for 3-pointers, knocking down four in the win over the Bruins.
CURRENT STORYLINES (STATS LISTED ARE AS OF FEB. 26)
• ASU enters the Pac-12 Tournament as the league leader in fewest TOs per game (12.1/9th in the nation). In fact, ASU's average of 12.1 turnovers per game is No. 2 in school history. The school record was set by the 2017-18 team (11.7) and followed that with only 12.5 in 2018-19.
• ASU is 2nd in the conference in FTs made (14.04) & attempted (2nd/19.22) per game and TO margin (+2.89) and is 6th in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.2)
• In Pac-12 games, ASU concluded the season 2nd in turnover margin (+4.50), 5th in steals per game (7.06), 6th in offensive rebounds per game (12.13) and 10th in assist-TO-ratio (0.87).
• ASU has forced a season-high 20 turnovers five times this season. All five instances have come in ASU's last 12 games. ASU is +6.3 in turnover margin during that stretch.
• Tyi Skinner (24x/27 games) and Jaddan Simmons (21/26 games), have combined to score in double figures 45x out of a possible 53 opportunities. Skinner's current per-game scoring average of 19.0 ppg ranks No. 5 in program history. Sun Devil Hall of Famer Kym Hampton is the only player in school history to average 20 or more points in a season. She did it in 1981-82 (21.3 ppg) and again in 1993-84 (20.2 ppg). In addition, with eleven triples in ASU's last five games, Skinner has quickly ascended up the program's single-season Top 10 for most 3-pointers (currently 5th with 64). Katie Hempen (76 in 2014-15) is No. 1.
• Only four players have played in all 27 games: Skinner (27 starts), Kayla Mokwuah (24 starts), Meg Newman (5 starts) and Trayanna Crisp (6 starts). Both Simmons and Treasure Hunt have missed one game due to illness/injury and have started all 26 games they have played in. As of Feb. 26, ASU has three of the top six players in the Pac-12 in minutes per game: 2. Simmons (36.63), 3. Skinner (36.35), 6. Hunt (33.92).
IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE NAME TYI SKINNER YET... GET READY
How talented is the Pac-12 in 2022-23? Perhaps otherworldly might be the best adjective to describe it. How else can it be explained there was no room on the 15-member All-Pac-12 team for ASU junior guard Tyi Skinner? In her first season as a Sun Devil, Skinner finished the regular season 2nd in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.0 ppg/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.37) and 20-point games (14) and was sixth in steals (1.78 spg). To top it off, Skinner has a chance to be one of only five Sun Devils in program history to average 19.0 or more ppg.
It did not take long for Skinner, who transferred to ASU from Delaware, to ascend to 'must-see' status for all basketball fans. On Nov. 30, Skinner scored 15 of her game- and career-high 29 points in the 4th quarter of ASU's come-from-behind (11-point deficit) win at Grand Canyon. Less than a week later, Skinner tied her career high in scoring for the second time in three games (29 points) and came one triple short of tying the single-game school record after hitting six vs. Missouri (Dec. 4).
Skinner's current scoring average of 19.0 ppg, ranks 5th in program annals going back to 1979. Only Sun Devil Sports Hall of Famer Kym Hampton has ever averaged more than 20 points in a season. She did it in 1982 (21.3 ppg) and again in 1984 (20.2 ppg). In addition, Skinner's 64 triples are currently No. 4 for most by a Sun Devil in a single season.
In ASU's Pac-12 opener at Arizona (Dec. 29), Skinner dropped 26 on the Wildcats (only one player scored more vs. UA this season). She averaged 21.5 ppg vs. Stanford and in ASU's first meeting vs. Cal, Skinner scored 13 points and pulled down a team- and career-high 10 rebs for the first double-double of her career.
On Feb. 5, Skinner again connected on six 3-pointers in a 28-point effort at UCLA (Feb. 5), the most points scored vs. UCLA this season. Earlier this month, Skinner went off for 27 points 2x in 3 games: vs. Colorado (Feb. 10), at OSU (Feb. 23). The 27 points remain the highest point total allowed by Colorado this season. At OSU, Skinner poured in 19 of her game-high 27 points in the second half to help ASU overcome a 17-point hole in the second half for the come-from-behind win.
SIMMONS' SOLID, STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ASU'S SUCCESS
Among returning players, Jaddan Simmons is ASU's most experienced player (76 starts/76 games). As great as Simmons' play was her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to an even higher level this season.
A starter in all 26 games she's played this season (DNP vs. Missouri on Dec. 4/illness), Simmons has scored in double figures in all but five games this season. Her recent streak of scoring in double figures (11 games) came to an end on Feb. 19 versus Utah, when she had eight points. She was still a factor in ASU's near upset of the Utes as she tied her season high in assists (6) for the third time this season. During the aforementioned 11-game streak of scoring in double figures, Simmons averaged 13.4 ppg and led ASU in steals (2.1 spg) and assists (2.7 apg) and was 2nd in rebounds (4.5 rpg) and offensive rebounds (1.7 rpg).
Simmons, who has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 14x, currently leads ASU in minutes (36.63 mpg/2nd in Pac-12/24th in nation) assists (3.2 apg/14th in Pac-12) and steals (1.88 spg/4th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in FTs made (89) and attempted (118) and FT pct. (75.4/12th in Pac-12). Over ASU's last 10 games, Simmons leads ASU in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and is tied for the team lead in offensive boards (1.9 rpg). In ASU's last six games, Simmons has averaged 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals.
Simmons opened the 2022-23 campaign with nine straight double-digit scoring efforts, including a career high-tying 22 points in ASU's season opener vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 7). She made a career-high 11 FTs as part of her 19 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) and led or tied for the team lead in scoring in ASU's near victories vs. WSU (Jan. 27 - scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half) and vs. UW (Jan. 29 - tied for team lead with 11 points had team highs with 5 assists and 2 steals.
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
A starter in all 26 games she's played this season and currently ASU's leader in rebounds (6.0 rpg/12th in Pac-12) and 2nd in 3-pointers per game (1.1), Treasure Hunt, joined ASU after playing her first two seasons at Kentucky (30 starts/45 games).
Hunt had a strong start to the season, averaging a double-double over the season's first four games (13.5 ppg/10.3 rpg). The opening sequence included 19 points in ASU's win at Montana State (Nov. 15). She averaged 4.5 ppg in her next four games, two of which came in the immediate aftermath of an injury she incurred in ASU's first loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
Hunt, who is third on the team in minutes (33.92/6th in Pac-12), has scored in double figures 16x, with 13 of those performances coming in ASU's last 18 games. She scored 22 points in ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She added her third double-double of the season (17 points/12 rebs) vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She again topped her career high in scoring with 24 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
In league play, Hunt made 73.7 percent of her free throws, 5.3 percentage points higher than her season percentage of 68.4.
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• A starter in 24 games, TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah leads ASU in offensive rebs (2.0 rpg/14th in Pac-12) and blocks per game (0.8), is 3rd on the team in rebs (4.9 rpg/6 or more rebs 11x this season) and 4th in scoring (6.1 ppg). Mokwuah's second career double-double (16 points, 13 rebs) proved critical in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). She also scored in double figures vs. Grambling (Nov. 11 - 10 points) & in each of last 3 games: vs. Utah (11 points, 7 rebs), at OSU (14 points, 8 rebs) and at UO (10 points, 5 rebs). She averaged 11.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg during that stretch.
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) and at Arizona (Dec. 29), Meg Newman came off the bench and provided ASU with a pair of big-time efforts: 11.0 ppg/13.5 rpg. Newman had career highs in points (12) and rebounds (18) for her first career double-double in ASU's win over PVAM. Newman's 18 boards were the most by a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley (also 18) in 2019 vs. BYU. Newman leads the team in FG pct. (45.9) and is 2nd in rebounds (5.1 rpg).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp, who has started 6 games, averaged double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) and connected on 60 pct of her field goals (9-15) at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Crisp, who made her first career start in place of Jaddan Simmons (illness) vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, is currently 3rd on the team in assists per game (1.4), 4th in 3-pointers per game (0.5) and 5th in scoring (5.3 ppg). She's had a season-high 5 assists 3x and 5 rebounds 2x. Crisp averaged double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the second time this season vs. WSU (Jan. 27/11 points) and vs. UW (Jan. 29/9 points).
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is 4th on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.5). She posted scored a then-career high 11 points 3 triples in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30). On Feb. 19, Erikstrup recorded her first career double-double when she put up career highs in points (15) and rebounds (10) and tied her career high in triples (3) vs. then-No. 4 Utah.
• In the 22 games Isadora Sousa has played in – missed five games due to injury, was injured less than three minutes into game vs. Oregon (Jan. 6) and was limited to only 10 minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) – she has connected on 43 pct of her FGs. Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and scored a career high-tying 7 points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2). Sousa contributed 5.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg while averaging 20 minutes per game vs. WSU (Jan. 27) and UW (Jan. 29). She added 5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists while playing a career-high 34 minutes vs. Stanford (Feb. 12). Sousa scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in ASU's near upset of then-No. 4 Utah (Feb. 5).
INJURIES ALL TOO COMMON THEME IN 2022-23
On the last day of November, ASU found itself with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7. During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success was dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. At the start of the month, ASU had eight players who were averaging double figures in minutes. And that number did not include junior center Imogen Greenslade and freshman forward Journey Thompson, two players who were gradually seeing increased playing time.
After accounting for 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30), Thompson had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass (Dec. 2). However, Thompson was injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). In her first game back (also her first career starting assignment), Thompson accounted for 11 points and six rebounds in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She only played in 14 minutes in ASU's first three Pac-12 contests, including a DNP at Stanford (Dec. 31), due to illness. The following week, Thompson pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon State (Jan. 8). She has not played since the OSU game due to injury.
In addition to not having Thompson vs. Missouri (Dec. 4), ASU was without junior guard Jaddan Simmons (the team's second-leading scorer) and senior guard Isadora Sousa (averaged seven rebounds in three most recent outings in addition to providing ASU with an important defensive presence).
In ASU's 75-60 loss at SFA on Dec. 11, the Sun Devils had nearly as many players in uniform (eight) as players who were not suited up (six). The latter group was comprised of injured players and played a major factor in the outcome. Simmons was back in the lineup but Greenslade was not available in addition to Thompson and Sousa. Thus, for the second straight game, ASU had seven players who accounted for nearly all the minutes. Just like in its loss to Missouri, ASU looked every bit the team that had won six of its first seven games – for the first 20 minutes. The final result? Just like against Missouri, fresher bodies enabled the opposition to outscore and out rebound ASU.
In its non-conference finale, an 82-67 win over Prairie View A&M, freshman guard Jaylah Robinson made her first career appearance after missing the first 10 games. It remains Robinson's only appearance this season.
At the start of Pac-12 play, ASU was boosted by the return of Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford (Dec. 31) and at Cal (Jan. 2). Sousa once again went down with an injury less than three minutes into ASU's contest vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She missed ASU's game vs. OSU (Jan. 8) before being limited to nine minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
ASU's injury situation reached its nadir the second week in January when it had to forfeit games at Utah (Jan. 13) and at Colorado (Jan. 15) due to not having enough healthy players to play.
Greenslade returned to play at USC (Feb. 3), her first action since Dec. 4. She had a season high in scoring (6 points) in the first half vs. Cal (Feb. 10), before being forced to leave the game due to injury.
Sousa was once again forced to leave ASU's game in the second half at Oregon (Feb. 25).
DEVILS HAVE BEEN WITHOUT PAIR OF DIFFERENCE MAKERS ALL SEASON
In addition to all the injuries ASU has incurred throughout the regular season, there are two additional players – returning junior G/F Maggie Besselink and sophomore transfer G Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) – who have not played this season due to injury. If healthy, both players would almost certainly be significant contributors.
A versatile scorer, Besselink started 21 of 30 games she played in her first two seasons at ASU and was among the team leaders in rebounds and offensive rebounds both seasons. A rising star in the Canadian national program, in the summer of 2019 Besselink was named to Canada's U19 national team. In February, 2020, Besselink traveled to the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago to participate in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp, which invites the top international 64 girls and boys from 34 countries and regions.
ESPN ranked Wiggins as the nation's No. 18 prospect in the class of 2021. A three-time all-state selection at Kalamazoo Central, she one of five finalists for the 2021 Miss Basketball award and received Division 1 co-Player of Year honors from the Associated Press as a senior. She was part of signing class at UNC that was ranked No. 3 by ESPN.
CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INCLUDED EIGHT TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR POSTSEASON PLAY IN 2022
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlighted ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU played five of its non-conference games at home. Included in those games were tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2/L, 64-88) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4/L, 60-71) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved too much for ASU to overcome. The Sun Devils led the Tigers 31-28 at the half. ASU's lack of depth due to its injury situation affected its ability to defend a Missouri squad with a proven knack for scoring the basketball. Ultimately, the Tigers came away with the win.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61) and current No. 5 Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85). The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win.
Other teams ASU faced that qualified for 2022 postseason play included road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round/W, 80-72) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round/L, 60-75).
MOST SINGLE-SEASON POINTS IN ASU HISTORY
683 – Kym Hampton, 1981-82
576 – Olivia Jones, 1982-83
568 – Kym Hampton, 1982-83
565 – Kym Hampton, 1980-81
550 – Amanda Levens, 2001-02
545 – Kym Hampton, 1983-84
545 – Karen O'Connor, 1988-89
513 – Tyi Skinner, 2022-23
MOST SINGLE-SEASON 3-POINTERS IN ASU HISTORY
76 – Katie Hempen (2014-15)
68 – Courtney Ekmark (2018-19)
65 – Katie Hempen (2015-16)
65 – Briann January (2008-09)
64 – Tyi Skinner (2022-23)
ALL-PAC-12 HONORS
Sun Devils Jaddan Simmons and Tyi Skinner were recognized by the Pac-12 on Tuesday as the conference announced its annual awards for the 2021-22 season as voted on by the league's head coaches. Simmons, a three-year starter, earned honorable mentions on the Pac-12's All-Defensive team. Skinner, who transferred to ASU after starting her career at the University of Delaware earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors.
JADDAN SIMMONS
- Appeared and started in 26 games (DNP 12/4/22 vs Missouri)
- Helped a unit that ranked second in turnover margin (+4.50) and fifth in steals per game (7.06)
- Was a key piece on the defensive end, having forced 20 turnovers in a game five times this season.
- Simmons opened the season with nine straight double-digit performances, including tying her career-high 22 points against NAU in season opener on Nov. 7
- Led the team in steals per game (1.88/ fourth in Pac-12) and assists (3.2/ 14th in Pac-12)
- Was second on the team in points per game (12.3) and fourth in rebounds (4.4)
- Had an 11-game double digit scoring streak where she averaged 13.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg.
- Was second in the Pac-12 in minutes per game (36.63)
- Played in all 27 games and was second on the team in minutes per game (36.35/ 3rd in the Pac-12)
- Led the team in scoring (19 ppg/ 2nd in Pac-12) and was second in the Pac-12 in three-pointer per game (2.37).
- Scored in double figures in all but three games.
- Second in the Pac-12 in 20-point games (14).
- Tied her career-high (29 points) three times, the recent being against Missouri on Dec. 4th.
- Her 19 ppg ranks 5th in program history, dating all the way to 1979.
- Skinner is currently at 513 points, the most in a single season since Amanda Levens in 2001-02.
- Has made 64 triples on the season, the fifth most in a single season.