After a disappointing loss to Washington State, the Arizona State Sun Devils look to get back on track and split the series with the Evergreen State-schools as they travel to Seattle to take on the struggling Washington Huskies.
The 74-71 loss to WSU was a momentum killer for ASU, who had won four of their last six before that game. Junior guard Gerry Blakes had 24 points in the loss, including some impressive buckets down the stretch to keep ASU in the game. Other impressive performances featured sophomore forward Savon Goodman, who grabbed 14 rebounds, as well as freshman point guard Tra Holder, who scored 14 points along with three assists to keep up his high level of play.
Washington, on the other hand, has been as unpredictable as any team in the country. Starting off the season 11-0, the Huskies lost their next four games. They then proceeded to win three in a row, only to go on a six-game losing streak immediately afterward, heading into this game.
Their recent struggles could be credited to the loss of Robert Upshaw, the NCAA’s leading shot blocker at the time, who was released from the team in late January. The Huskies have yet to win a game without Upshaw.
Keys to the game
Establish the three pointer early
The Sun Devils shot 5-for-17 from beyond the arc against the Cougars. A lot of that could be due to the injury to senior guard Bo Barnes in the first half. When ASU is hitting from downtown, the team is tough to beat. Three-pointers energize this team and distribute that energy to every aspect of their game. To be without such a vital part of the offense will make it difficult to win against anybody.
Keep Nigel Williams-Goss out of the paint
Maybe the best playmaker in the Pac-12 this season, the sophomore point guard is leading the Pac-12 in assists per game, and is also averaging 15 points per game, most on the team. The numbers alone support his playmaking ability, and limiting his opportunities to reach these benchmarks will help ASU’s chances.
Attack the paint
Without Upshaw, the Huskies next tallest player, junior forward Jernard Jarreau, is 6-foot-10. There are only two other players on the roster above 6-foot-5, and one of them, freshman forward Donaven Dorsey, plays mostly on the perimeter. Especially considering this is ASU senior forward Shaquielle McKissic’s first and last time playing in his hometown of Seattle, the Sun Devils should have a field day attacking the paint.
Prediction
ASU’s road struggles have certainly been an issue this season, having only one road win on the year. While the WSU game seemed like a perfect opportunity for a second, this Washington game is just as good of a chance considering it is following a game that they feel was very winnable. If the Sun Devils can hold the Huskies under 70 points, this a game they are capable of winning.
