DENVER - Sun Devil Men's Basketball faces No. 6 seed TCU in the NCAA Tournament First Round on Friday at Ball Arena.
Winners of three of their last four including a resounding 98-73 victory over Nevada in the NCAA First Four yesterday, Arizona State (23-12) looks to continue their recent success in a matchup with a talented TCU squad. The winner will play the winner of the No. 3 Gonzaga/No. 14 Grand Canyon first round contest.
HOW TO FOLLOW
ASU's game against TCU in the NCAA Tournament will be broadcasted on TruTV, scheduled for a 7:05 PM MST tip-off. Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Steve Smith (analyst) Avery Johnson (analyst), and Andy Katz (sideline) will be on the call. Every NCAA Tournament game will air on the Turner family of networks, which includes CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP). The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
TAKING ON TCU
This will be the fifth meeting all-time between Arizona State and TCU, with the two sides splitting the previous matchups. This will be the second time the game comes in the postseason, as the programs squared off in the 1983 NIT Second Round. The Sun Devils won the most recent battle, taking down the Horned Frogs 52-49 in Tempe back in 2010. Bobby Hurley is 3-1 in his ASU career against the Big 12. All three of his wins have come against Kansas teams, including two victories over the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks in back-to-back years.
LAST TIME OUT
ASU shot 64% from the floor in a 98-73 victory over Nevada on Wednesday. It's the highest shooting percentage a Sun Devil team has had under Head Coach Bobby Hurley and the second highest in an NCAA Tournament Opening Round/First Four game. In the 133 NCAA Tournament games played at Dayton Arena, ASU's shooting percentage was the best ever. In fact, it is the best shooting percentage for any ASU men's basketball tournament game on record. Additionally, it is the best field goal percentage by a Pac-12 team in an NCAA Tournament game since Arizona shot 66.0% against Oklahoma State in the 2005 Sweet 16. The Sun Devils have shot over 60% from the floor twice this season, both coming on neutral courts. The Maroon and Gold shot 32-53 (.604) in the early-season win over Michigan at the Barclays Center. ASU shot 11-19 (.524) from three point range. It is the third highest three-point field goal percentage for the Maroon and Gold this season. It is the ninth time this season the Sun Devils have made at least 10 threes. ASU's 35 field goals made are the second most this season.
HISTORY MADE
ASU's 98 points were the most in an Opening Round/First Four game in NCAA Tournament history. It is the third most points all-time for ASU in a tournament game and most since scoring 99 against Loyola Marymount in the First Round of the 1980 event. The 25-point margin of victory is also the second largest in an NCAA Tournament Opening Round/First Four game. It is the largest margin of victory in an NCAA Tournament game for ASU since 1980.
BULLY BALL
ASU had a decisive 36 points in the paint against Nevada. It is tied for the second highest total all season. In fact, ASU had 18 paint points before Nevada had its first. The Sun Devil season-high is 40 and have 36 points in the paint four times. Warren Washington had nine points on four of six shooting. When Washington makes five field goals, the Sun Devils are 6-1. He last made five in the road win against No. 8 Arizona. In a must-win stretch of eight games, starting with Utah on Feb. 18, ASU'S defensive anchor Warren Washington is 24-34 (70%) from the floor. He had double figures in five of them.
BALANCED SCORING
The Maroon and Gold had five men score in double figures – DJ Horne (20), Desmond Cambridge Jr. (17), Jamiya Neal (16), Devan Cambridge (15) and Luther Muhammad (12) – for just the second time since a Nov. 14, 2019 win over Central Connecticut State.
SUN DEVILS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
For the 17th time in program history, Sun Devil Men's Basketball has earned selection in the NCAA Tournament. They have 15 victories in the Big Dance, including two victories under Coach Hurley. Arizona State is looking to advance to the second round for the 10th time. ASU has five Sweet 16 and three Elite 8 appearances.
NEUTRALIZING THE OPPONENT
The NCAA Tournament is played at a neutral site, which bodes well for Sun Devil Men's Basketball. Coach Hurley's team has been one of the best teams in the nation at neutral sites, going 6-1 so far in 2022-23. This includes victories over NCAA Tournament teams Creighton, VCU, Nevada, and USC as well as NIT participant Michigan. The six wins on a neutral court are tied for third in the nation through games on Wednesday, Mar. 15. ASU lone loss came at the Pac-12 Tournament to eventual tournament champion No. 8 Arizona (No. 2 seed in South).
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Sun Devils have 13 wins away from home, seven of which have come on the road. ASU has two wins in a hostile road environment in Tucson in the last five years, tied for second most in the Pac-12 in that span. ASU also have has halftime comebacks this year and three on the road (OSU, Colorado and SMU). All four comebacks have come away from home, with the other one being a neutral site contest against VCU at the Legends Classic held in Brooklyn, NY.
The Sun Devils have swept two road Pac-12 series this season (Oregon, Bays). It is the first time ASU has swept the Bay schools since 2019-20 ASU's six road wins are second in the Pac-12, more than Arizona, Utah and Oregon. In fact, ASU is tied for the most road wins in conference play this season (5) It is just the third time since joining the conference and the first since the 1980-81 season that Arizona State has swept two road series in the same season. ASU was able to earn a true-road win in the non-conference schedule, the Wildcats did not contest a single true-road game outside of conference play.
LOCKING IT DOWN
Arizona State is one of the best defensive teams in the country, making it difficult for opposing offenses to score. The Sun Devils rank 15th in the nation and fifth among NCAA Tournament teams holding opponents to just 40.0% shooting from the field. ASU is 9-0 this season when giving up less than 60 points and have held opponents to 40% or less from the field 18 games this season. ASU is 10-0 when opponents shoot under 36%.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
The Sun Devils have the sixth-best two point percentage defense in the nation according to KenPom, allowing teams to shoot only 43.8% from inside the arc. Coach Hurley's squad is 30th in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency metric and 24th in opponent effective field goal percentage. KenPom also rates ASU 22nd in the country in block %.
TURNOVER MARGIN
The Sun Devils ended the season as one of only three teams in the Power 5, Big East and Mountain West to have forced double digit turnovers in each game against a conference foe. TCU is also one of the three teams, as two of the most opportunisitc defensive units matchup. Arizona State has had 26 consecutive conference games forcing double-digit turnovers, the most in the Pac-12. In fact, they have accomplished the feat in 33 of the last 35 overall games and 60 of 66 dating back to the start of last season.
Nevada committed 11 turnovers and the Sun Devils converted those into 14 points. On the flip side, ASU committed just seven turnovers. It is the second fewest turnovers in a game this season for the Sun Devils. Additionally, it is the fewest turnovers that the ASU offense has committed away from Tempe this season. Arizona State had a mere five giveaways in its win over Utah on Feb. 18, 2023.
SUSTAINED SUCCESS
Sun Devil Men's Basketball has now won 20 games for the fourth time in the last six years. They had accomplished the feat only nine times in the previous 35 years. ASU has 23 wins, the most in the Hurley era. This is the fifth time since 1980-81 that Arizona State has won 23 games in a season. Coach Hurley has patrolled his squads to three NCAA tournaments in the seven seasons that there has been a big dance. Hurley is the first ASU coach since Bill Frieder (1989-90 - 1996-97) to win multiple NCAA Tournament games in his coaching tenure at ASU.
WILL-GUARD-U
Since the start of the Pac-12 Tournament, ASU has gone from Guard U to Will-Guard-U. The Sun Devils are holding opposing guards to 53-121 (43.3%) from the field in the last four contests, three of which have been quadrant one games. Additionally, opposing guards are averaging 7.7 turnovers per contest. Among those guards are Jordan Pope (Pac-12 All-Freshman Team), Resse Dixon-Waters (Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year), Courtney Ramey (Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention), Kylan Boswell (Pac-12 All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention), Kenan Blackshear and Jarod Lucas (both All-Mountain West Conference Second Team).
DON'T COUNT US OUT
The Sun Devils have six halftime comebacks this year and three on the road (OSU, Colorado and SMU). Four of the six comebacks have come away from home, in addition to a neutral site contest against VCU at the Legends Classic held in Brooklyn, NY. 18 of the 39 halftime comebacks under Coach Hurley have been on the road and 23 have come in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 16 on the road against Oregon State, making it the largest comeback since they overcame a 22-point deficit against Arizona on February 25, 2020. The win was also ASU's largest road comeback since trailing by 18 at Georgia on December 15, 2018.
While they didn't qualify as comebacks, in wins over Creighton and Stanford away from home, ASU withstood 16-0 and 14-0 runs respectively in the second half and still came away with a victory. Prior to their 65-57 loss to Arizona State after leading 26-25 at the half, Utah was undefeated (17-0) when taking the advantage into the break.
EXPERIENCE ON OUR SIDE
Coach Hurley's team has a veteran presence, with several players boasting a plethora of experience at the Division I level. In total, Sun Devils have played in 1,008 career games. That includes some notable names...
Desmond Cambridge Jr. - 146
Luther Muhammad - 129
Devan Cambridge - 126
DJ Horne - 119
Alonzo Gaffney - 82
Warren Washington - 81
Frankie Collins - 65
CONQUERING CONFERENCE CONTENDERS
Arizona State owns victories over the following teams that were among the best in their respective conferences:
- NAU – Made Big Sky Tournament Championship Game
- VCU – Won the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship; Won the A-10 Tournament Championship
- Grambling State – SWAC Regular Season Co-Champs; Made SWAC Tournament Championship Game
- Alcorn State – SWAC Regular Season Co-Champs
- Creighton – Finished third in the Big East with a 14-6 record; Made Big East Tournament Semifinals
- at Oregon – Finished fourth in the Pac-12; Made Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals
- at Arizona – Finished second in the Pac-12 with a 14-6 record; Won the Pac-12 Tournament Championship
- USC - Finished third in the Pac-12 with a 14-6 record
The Maroon and Golf have six wins over teams that are playing in postseason tournaments. The Sun Devils have beaten Arizona, VCU, Creighton and Nevada, all of which are in March Madness. ASU also downed Michigan (NIT) and Tarleton (CBI).
ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
Sun Devil Men's Basketball has two representatives on Pac-12 award lists as Desmond Cambridge Jr. was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team and Warren Washington earned recognition as an honorable mention for the All-Defensive Team, according to an announcement by the league office Tuesday morning.
MILESTONE MOMENT
Fifth-year guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. reached a significant milestone in a win over Washington earlier in the season. He surpassed 2,000 career points, becoming the 10th active player in the NCAA to reach the mark. His 2,303 points rank 8th among active NCAA players and his 380 threes rank fifth among active players. He is one of three active players with over 2,300 points and 622 rebounds in his career and has played the fewest games of anyone to accomplish the feat. Cambridge Jr. also ranks 26th in career steals (193) and 50th in career blocks (144) among active players.
DAZZLING DESMOND
Desmond Cambridge Jr. has scored in double figures in 24 of the 33 games he has played in this season. He had 17 against the Wolfpack. ASU is 11-2 when Cambridge Jr. scores at least 17 points. He also has 30 straight games with a made three pointer. It is the longest streak for any Sun Devil in the last 20 years and most since Jonathan Gilling had 29 straight games with a made three pointer in the 2012-13 seasons.
COMFORTABLE WHEN IT'S CLOSE
Coach Hurley's team has played in a two-possession game in 15 of its 35 contests, boasting a 11-4 record. The Sun Devils are 35-17 in two possession games over the last four seasons, tied with Wisconsin for the most wins in the Division I during that span.
1. Arizona State 35
Wisconsin 35
3. Western Kentucky 33
4. Providence 31
Kansas 31
Miami (FL) 31
In a pivotal part of the season down the stretch, DJ Horne has turned up his scoring. He dropped in 20 points for the Sun Devils, leading all scorers. It is the fourth time this season Horne has notched at least points. ASU is 3-1 in those contests. In fact, the 20 points from Horne are the third most points in an NCAA Tournament game for a player under coach Hurley. Sun Devil Men's Basketball is 9-2 when Horne makes at least three three-pointers. He was 4-5 from long distance against Nevada. He is averaging 14.9 points per game over his last 12 contests with all but two outputs in double digits. Horne was a game-high +30 against Nevada, the highest +/- of any Sun Devil in any game this season.
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Six of the Sun Devils' losses have come away from home and with a key piece of their rotation sidelined.
at Texas Southern - No Jamiya Neal
at San Francisco - No Desmond Cambridge Jr.
at Washington State - No DJ Horne
at No. 4 UCLA - No Austin Nunez
at USC - No Austn Nunez
Arizona (Pac-12 Tournament) No Austin Nunez
In contrast, ASU has been able to overcome players missing to earn key victories.
vs. NAU – won 84-68 without Desmond Cambridge Jr.
at Colorado – won 60-59 without Frankie Collins
at Stanford – won 68-65 without Warren Washington
at California – won 70-62 without Warren Washington
at No. 7 Arizona – won 89-88 without Austin Nunez
Oregon State (Pac-12 Tournament) - won 63-57 without Auztin Nunez
USC (Pac-12 Tournament) - won 77-72 without Austin Nunez
Nevada (NCAA Tournament) - won 98-73 without Austin Nunez
ASU's regular starting lineup of Frankie Collins, DJ Horne, Desmond Cambridge Jr., Devan Cambridge and Warren Washington is 17-7.
HIGH SCORERS
Arizona State is 4-0 this season in games where the total points have been over 150 (San Diego, at Oregon, at Arizona, vs Nevada). In ASU's win against Michigan, the 87-62 final totaled 149 points.
COLLINS IS BALLIN'
Transfer point guard Frankie Collins has added a different dimension to the Sun Devils offense. Not only can he score at a high level, he has emerged one of the best passers in the conference. Collins boasts the the highest assist rate in the Pac-12 per KenPom and is tied for fifth in the Pac-12 with 4.4 assists per game. He was one of only two players in the Pac-12 to average at least 9.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, joined by USC's Drew Peterson. Peterson averages 35.7 minutes per game while Collins does it in only 27.9 minutes per game.
PROTECTING THE PAINT
Arizona State continues to find themselves near the top of the national rankings in blocks, coming in at #31 in the latest national rankings (12th among NCAA Tournament teams). 12 players have recorded at least one block this season, led by Warren Washington's 56.
DEVAN MAKES WINNING PLAYS
ASU's golden rule held true; Devan Cambridge scored 15 points in the win, moving the Sun Devils to 14-1 when he scores in double figures. The lone setback was 77-72 road setback at USC that closed the regular season. His 15 points against Nevada were the third most of his career.
JAMIYA IS THAT GUY
Jamiya Neal had a career high 16 points in the winning effort against Nevada, third best among ASU scorers on the evening. His previous best was 14 in ASU's home victory against the Washington Huskies this season on Jan. 8, 2023. The Sun Devils are 3-0 when Neal scores at least 12 points. He made six field goals against Nevada, tying the season-high. Over his last four games, Neal is averaging 10.8 points off the bench, providing a huge spark.
RUN N' GUN
The Sun Devils have outscored their opponents on the fastbreak in four of the last five games. They outscored Nevada 15-7. ASU has outscored its opponent on the fastbreak in 24 of 35 games this season.
DROPPING DIMES
Arizona State has had 13 games this season with at least a 60% A/FGM ratio. It is the most in a single season since ASU had 13 such-games in the 2015-16 campaign. In ASU's 12 quad one games, they have had five contests with at least a 60% A/FGM ratio. Four of those five quad one games were away from home. ASU's 21 assists mark the seventh time this season that the Maroon and Gold have had at least 20+ assists in a single game. It is the most since Arizona State had seven in the 2008-09 campaign, when they went to the Pac-12 Championship Game and were led by James Harden.
In fact, 505 of ASU's 885 field goals this season have come on assisted baskets. That's good for 57.06%. It is tracking to be the highest percentage of assists to made field goals in a season since 2013-14 season (56.34%). Additionally, ASU has had at least a 60% A/FGM ratio in four consecutive games. It happened in all three Sun Devil games in the Pac-12 Tournament and in the First Four contest against Nevada.
In the history of the Opening Round/First Four, only five more teams have had more than ASU's 21 assists. Cambridge Jr. paced ASU in assists for the fifth time this season against Neva-da. His six were. the second most in his career. The 21 dimes were the most assists for ASU in an NCAA Tournament game since the First Round in 1995 when it had 23.
NAVIGATING THE NON-CONFERENCE
Arizona State was extremely successful in the non-conference portion of their schedule, finishing with an 8-2 record. That included several marquee victories away from home. The Sun Devils won the Legends Classic in Brooklyn with wins over VCU and No. 20 Michigan. The Maroon & Gold also traveled to SMU and defeated the Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Arguably the biggest win came in Las Vegas, when Coach Hurley's team withstood a big second half run to edge Creighton at the Jack Jones Hoopfest.
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