(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
This version of the Arizona State Sun Devils is unique among the ones Bobby Hurley has coached during his time in Tempe, a fact that was on display in their 92-55 win over the Rider Broncs in Tempe on Sunday.
In large part thanks to 29 turnovers, the most by an ASU opponent since 2003, the Sun Devils earned another blowout win, moving to 2-1 on the season. The ability to apply defensive pressure for long stretches of time is thanks to a deeper, quicker team than the ones in years past. ASU worked a full-court press for most of the game to excellent results.
“I felt like we, as players, wanted to get up, felt like we needed to speed the game up a little bit,” ASU guard Remy Martin said. “[Hurley] let us do it. He was the guy who was like ‘Yeah come on, pick up.’”
Martin, who had four of ASU’s 16 steals, tied freshman guard Jaelen House for the game lead in points with 20. House played a huge role on both sides of the ball, leading a bench unit that came up at a critical moment for the Sun Devils.
ASU came out roughly on offense, starting the game 4-of-18 from the floor. House entered with 16:12 in the first half and other substitutions followed a few minutes later. The bench group began applying the pressure and the Sun Devils began to shake off the bad start. House took a foul on a three-pointer and made all three from the stripe. On the next possession, forward Jalen Graham gave ASU the lead with a strong two-handed dunk. From that point on, the Sun Devils stayed in control.
House, in only his third collegiate game, continued to make a mark on both sides of the floor. He finished at a plus-34, shot 7-of-12 and played strong on-ball defense throughout his 20 minutes of action.
“I feel like defense is more important,” House said. “If you’re not having a good night offensively, you can always have a good night defensively. Emphasize defense more than offense.”
Defense carried the day for the Sun Devils, even in the face of their second straight game scoring 90+ points. The 16 steals were the most by an ASU team since 2009. Additionally, the Sun Devils blocked six shots and nearly matched a team bigger than them on the glass.
Having forwards who are both long enough to block and fleet of foot is a key reason ASU can play defense the way it does.
“I think all our wings and our frontcourt guys are not big burly type players, they’re more mobile,” Hurley said. “It suits our team at just about every position.”
The 43 points and defensive energy provided by the bench broke ASU out of its early slump and turned the game into a rout. ASU had nine players reach double figures in minutes, and Hurley said having more guys who deserve time is something he and the team will have to adjust to.
Martin, who came off the bench to start his career with the Sun Devils, know how important having quality depth is to the team.
“I want to thank the bench guys really,” Martin said. “They came in and gave us energy and gave us that jump. They picked us up.”
The struggles shooting early are emblematic of what Hurley sees as the area the team needs to improve most on: The offensive efficiency. Through three games, the Sun Devils are shooting 31.6 percent from deep, a number Hurley said he thought would be higher and thinks will get there.
“I just think all the pressure can get to you and get into your legs some and then you’re not making the shots as easily,” Hurley said. “We’re exerting a lot of energy on defense, so I think there will be an adjustment for our guys to come around and make shots.”
An Arizona State team more defined by its defense than its scoring prowess is a change of pace. The Sun Devils ranked 12th, 8th and 8th in scoring defense in the last three seasons. Now it seems like they have some new tricks up their sleeve, and their proficiency with them will be put to the test when they start four games away from home on Nov. 23 against St. John’s.
