(Photo credit: Sam Farsky/WCSN)
The Arizona State women’s basketball team (1-2) is set to host the Briann January Classic at Desert Financial Arena this weekend, aiming to rebound from a tough start to the season. After back-to-back losses to Group of Five opponents, the Sun Devils face a challenging slate against Southern Methodist University (2-1) on Saturday and Oregon State (1-1) on Sunday.
Both matchups provide ASU with an opportunity to reset and regain momentum in front of its home crowd.
A glaring issue for Arizona State through its first three games has been its poor transition defense, specifically its inability to limit opponents’ three-point opportunities. In each matchup so far, the Sun Devils have allowed at least 25 three-point attempts, exposing a defensive vulnerability that teams have been quick to exploit. This lack of perimeter pressure has forced ASU’s offense to play catch-up at times.
This weekend, limiting three-point attempts will be important, especially in the Sun Devils’ matchup against SMU. The Mustangs boast junior guard Nya Robertson, who has been a sharpshooter early in the season, connecting on nearly 40% of her attempts from beyond the arc. Robertson’s ability to stretch the floor makes her a significant threat, and if ASU fails to close out on shooters effectively, she could make them pay from deep.
Offensively the Sun Devils have found success in the paint, thanks to the strong play of junior forward Kennedy Basham and graduate center Nevaeh Parkinson. Both players have been key contributors, averaging double-digit points while maintaining impressive efficiency — Basham is shooting 58% from the field, while Parkinson boasts an even more remarkable 67%. However, ASU’s struggles beyond the arc remain a concern; the team is averaging just 25% from three-point range, placing them in the bottom 30% nationally. This imbalance highlights the need for greater offensive versatility as they look to compete against tougher opponents.
Saturday: A Clash with SMU’s Rebuilt Roster
The Sun Devils open the weekend against SMU, a team undergoing a complete overhaul under head coach Toyelle Wilson. Now in her fourth year, Wilson has retooled her roster with eight new players, seven of whom arrived via the transfer portal. This fresh influx of talent adds unpredictability to the Mustangs’ style, presenting ASU with a challenge.
At the center of SMU’s offense is senior forward Chantae Embry, who is averaging 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. Embry’s ability to dominate the paint and crash the boards makes her a key player for ASU to neutralize. This matchup will test ASU’s adaptability as they face a team that is still solidifying its own identity.
Sunday: A Battle with Oregon State’s Depth
Sunday brings a tougher challenge as the Sun Devils square off against Oregon State, a program familiar with high-level competition. The Beavers, led by longtime head coach Scott Rueck, are coming off a strong 2023 season that saw them reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. Despite welcoming seven new players to the roster, Oregon State’s mix of veteran leadership and incoming talent still makes them a dangerous opponent.
Senior forward standouts Sela Heide and Kelsey Rees are key figures for the Beavers, both averaging 15-plus points in the season thus far. They create a balanced attack for the Beavers with their ability to score from multiple spots on the court.
The Briann January Classic promises to be an exciting showcase for Arizona State as the Sun Devils face two vastly different but equally challenging opponents. For the Sun Devils, this weekend offers a chance to test their early-season cohesion and measure themselves against quality competition. With the energy of Desert Financial Arena behind them, ASU will look to solidify its identity and build momentum as it takes on SMU and Oregon State.
