(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
The Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1) will take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (5-1) in the third place game of the Gulf Coast Showcase following a close loss to the Green Bay Phoenix on Saturday. The Sun Devils fought hard, but a lack of bench production resulted in their first loss of this young season.
Vanderbilt is coming off an embarrassing 91-52 blowout loss to No. 3 UConn. Prior to that game, the Commodores were holding opponents to 58 points per game. After suffering their first loss of the season, the Commodores also look to bounce back with a consolation game win.
Keys to the Game:
–Resiliency
For the first time this season, Arizona State will be playing in the shadow of a loss. It will be interesting to see how the team responds. Last year’s iteration of the Sun Devils only had two losing streaks all of last season and neither of them came in conference play. This is an opportunity for ASU to avoid their first.
–Defense
Vanderbilt is a very well-rounded team with plenty of players who can put up points. The Commodores have had six different leading scorers in as many games this season, so Arizona State will need to have everybody show up on defense and hold Vanderbilt to as few open looks as possible.
–Moos and Brunner
Throughout the year, Sophie Brunner has asserted herself as the go-to scorer for this offense, dominating in the paint and crashing the boards. As of late, Kelsey Moos has begun to come into her own in her transition to being a perimeter player. Moos has looked more comfortable sitting outside and hitting perimeter shots but still retains her ability to get to the basket. If the two sophomore forwards can continue their impressive offensive output, Vanderbilt will have some issues.
X-Factor:
The X-Factor for the Vanderbilt game is bench scoring. In the 63-57 loss to Green Bay on Saturday, Arizona State was only able to muster up one measly bench point, a Quinn Dornstauder free throw in the second half. If the Sun Devils want to keep this game competitive, they are going to need to rely on their bench to have more of a contribution on the offensive end.
Prediction:
With talents like Arnecia Hawkins and Peace Amukamara coming off the bench for the Sun Devils, it’s hard to believe that the bench will remain quiet two games in a row. Moos and Brunner looked great in the loss, and with a little bit of help the Sun Devil offense will be scary. Vanderbilt is an extremely talented team, and a loss to powerhouse UConn can’t be used to make judgments about their team. It’ll be a hard-fought single digit victory for the Arizona State Sun Devils in this one.
