(Photo: Alli Cline/WCSN)
Arizona State welcomes Loyola-Marymount of the West Coast Conference into Wells Fargo Arena for its third game of the season. This will be the first time these teams have squared off since 1980 when LMU coach Mike Dunlap was playing for the Lions.
ASU is coming off of a sloppy win over Bethune-Cookman that saw the Sun Devils commit 19 turnovers, but junior forward Eric Jacobsen did record his first career double-double, racking up 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Lions are coming off a tough loss to Boise State. LMU was led by redshirt senior forward Godwin Okonji’s 15 points and 10 rebounds as well as a 22-point effort from sophomore guard Evan Payne.
Keys to the Game
– Take care of the basketball
The 19 turnovers are clearly a concern for ASU head coach Herb Sendek. That being said, with as many new players getting significant playing time that the Sun Devils have, miscommunication is to be expected. However, ASU’s roster turnover pales in comparison to LMU, which sports 11 new faces on their roster. Finding cohesion of the offensive end is a priority for both squads, and whoever can do that the quickest in this matchup will do well.
– Rebounding Battle
While ASU has outrebounded its opponents by three rebounds per contest, LMU has done so by a margin of eight per game. Keeping Okonji off the glass will be a priority for Jacobsen, so look for ASU junior guard Gerry Blakes to fly in for a handful of rebounds on both ends of the floor. He is more than capable of doing so, as he showed in the Sun Devils’ season opener against Chicago State, in which Blakes snatched seven rebounds.
– Shaquielle McKissic’s offense
The Sun Devils’ senior forward posted just a single point against Bethune-Cookman after racking up a career-high 20 points against Chicago State. Potentially, McKissic could be taking a more passive approach to get his teammates acclimated to the Division I speed, but he is ASU’s most diverse and experienced offensive option in regards to creating his own shot. As he goes, the Sun Devils go.
Prediction
The game will start as a back-and-forth affair, but ASU’s overall talent level and depth will overmatch the Lions. The Sun Devils will go on a big run sparked by their defensive pressure and run away with this game before the first half ends.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
