ASU Men’s Basketball: Oregon State win could provide blueprint for success against USC

(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)

Arizona State Men’s Basketball defeated Oregon State 75-73 on Sunday night. The Sun Devils have now won three out of their last four games. With the end of the regular season looming, ASU will look to carry some of their momentum into the Pac-12 Tournament.

The Sun Devils are set to take on No. 17 ranked USC on Wednesday night, with the Trojans sitting at the top of the conference standings with a 17-3 (11-2 in Pac-12) record. USC’s sheer size and strength overwhelmed the Sun Devils the last time the two met in Tempe, as USC out-rebounded ASU 50-30. The Trojans also doubled the Sun Devils’ tally in the paint, out-scoring ASU 32-16 in the restricted area.

The Sun Devils were without senior point guard Remy Martin and sophomore forward Jalen Graham. Yet, still the ASU was only down 65-61 with a 1:30 remaining in the game. Tough jumpers and one-shot possessions plagued the Sun Devils late in the game, as ASU made just one of its final nine field goal attempts. USC won 73-64 in a contest where the final score failed to tell the complete story.

Now, nearly a month later, the Sun Devils will get another chance to stop the Trojans, this time with momentum on their side.

Against the Beavers three days ago, ASU found its identity: getting downhill, forcing turnovers and running in transition while relying on penetration and free throw shooting from their star players.

“We are built on speed, not power,” Martin said.

Sure, ASU lost the rebounding battle again Sunday night but the Sun Devils are aware of their weakness and have found a way to make up for it in other facets. ASU outscored the Beavers 26-2 in points off of turnovers, in addition to maintaining an 18-0 advantage in transition. Despite being without their freshman forward Marcus Bagley and freshman guard Josh Christopher due to injury, Bobby Hurley’s hobbled eight-man rotation found a way to pick up his 100th victory as ASU’s head coach.

“Anytime you get those type of high percentage opportunities [points off turnovers]… it really fueled what we did,” Hurley said.

Limiting transition chances for the Trojans while creating their own opportunities to run will likely have to be the fulcrum for Sun Devil success come Wednesday night.

Containing USC’s Mobley duo could be equally as important for ASU. The brotherly bigs combined for 32 points and 23 rebounds in their last trip to Tempe. Freshman Evan is one of the highest rated prospects in college basketball, as his shot-blocking ability and developing jump-shot has NBA scouts salivating. Sophomore Isaiah has a springy frame and second jump that allows him to clean the glass effectively while creating second looks for himself and teammates.

The two will be met inside by Graham, who was absent in the previous meeting between the two schools. Graham has been heating up ever since returning from mononucleosis, averaging 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in six games since his return. His numbers were a meek 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in six contests before his hiatus.

Much of Graham’s offensive improvement has been due to an increased emphasis from ASU to get him involved offensively, through dump-offs, pick and roll situations or throw-ins. He added 14 points and 11 rebounds in ASU’s win against Oregon State on Sunday. The sophomore big will likely need to bring an edge come Wednesday if the Sun Devils want to subdue the Mobleys.

The Sun Devils did solid job getting to the rim and creating free throw opportunities against Oregon State, scoring 34 points in the paint and shooting 34 free throws. It was a split from the strategy ASU has employed most of this season, which has relied on isolations and contested jump-shots from its most potent shot-creators. A strategy that further exploits a small Sun Devil team, with possessions frequently ending in long rebounds for their opponent.

If the Sun Devils can avoid stagnant possessions while getting in the lane against the Trojans, they could be in good shape. The momentum could serve them well come tournament time.

“It’s exciting to play in games like this [USC], particularly since we are coming off of three out of four wins,” said Hurley. “Hoping some guys can get healthy in the next couple of days and then we’ll hit the road.”