(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils look to bounce back from their first setback of the season when they take on the Tulane Green Wave Friday at the Tire Pros Invitational.
The Sun Devils were dominated in all aspects Thursday against Northern Iowa, as they allowed the Panthers to shoot over 50% from the field. Guard Jeremy Morgan got every look he wanted against ASU, putting up a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Sun Devil forward Obinna Oleka had a hard time keeping up with Bennett Koch of UNI down low, exhibiting ASU’s lack of size.
Coach Bobby Hurley was displeased with his team’s performance against the Panthers.
“It was obviously a disappointing effort for us,” Hurley told reporters. “It was out of character from how we’ve been playing and practicing.”
Next up for the maroon and gold is the Tulane Green Wave out of the American Athletic Conference, coached by Mike Dunleavy Sr. The Green Wave were able to hang around for the first half against a Final Four participant from last year in Oklahoma, but faded in the second half, falling 89-70.
One point the Sun Devils will need to look out for is the downtown shooting of the Green Wave, as they shot 50% from beyond the arc against the Sooners. The attack is led by guards Cameron Reynolds, Malik Morgan, and Kain Harris, who are all averaging in double figures so far in this early season.
Many ASU fans are looking for progress from the team this year, and after the dismal showing against Northern Iowa, the Sun Devils will need to grab a victory here against a Tulane team that finished with a 3-15 mark in American conference play last year, encountering losses from teams such as Southern, Alabama A&M, and Mercer to boot.
Friday’s game will tip off at 3 p.m. Arizona time, and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
