ASU Men’s Basketball: The Sun Devils look to end their losing skid at two games as they host Detroit

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

The Arizona State Sun Devils will face the Detroit Titans on Tuesday in Wells Fargo Arena at 1 p.m. Both teams come into this game with a loss in their preceding games, ASU to Lehigh, and Detroit to Rhode Island.

The Titans carry a three-game losing streak into this matchup and look to avoid the weight of adding a fourth.  They lost 69-55 to the Rhode Island Rams despite a team-leading 17 points from senior forward Juwan Howard Jr. and an early first-half lead.

The Sun Devils look to end their two-game losing skid after falling to Lehigh 84-81 in a triple-overtime thriller, their first home loss of the season. Sophomores Savon Goodman and Chance Murray posted 24 and 17 points respectively in the losing effort. Senior forward Shaquielle McKissic played 50 minutes of basketball, put up 13 points and snatched nine boards. The team will look to turn the momentum back in their direction as they welcome the Titans.

Keys to Matchup

Turnovers

This is always an issue for the Sun Devils. ASU turned the ball over 19 times in the game against Lehigh. ASU has fallen in four games by five points or less, so making the most of each possession is critical. If they can increase their turnover margin and take advantage of the defensive pressure they put upon the opposing team, they’ll find much more success.

Keeping up the Bench Production

The Sun Devil bench posted 58 points against Lehigh. On a team where offensive consistency can be hard to come by, bench production is vital in not only giving the starters a rest, but also providing the momentum which can keep ASU from another detrimental, yet familiar, slow start.

Shut down Juwan Howard Jr.

Howard Jr. is one of three seniors on the Titans and one of few who can put up a threatening point total. If ASU junior center Eric Jacobsen can play tight on the post, it will make it hard for Howard Jr. to exert his normal dominance from the floor and keep him below his normally high field-goal percentage.

Prediction

ASU ends its losing streak here and takes the easy win. If Goodman, McKissic and Blakes can combine to put up points from the start, it will make it difficult for a shorter Detroit squad to beat the ASU defense early as fans saw Lehigh do. The Sun Devils need to diminish their turnover total, and they will be more than capable of taking home the victory to get back on track for the upcoming conference schedule.

You can reach the author on Twitter @KristinaV_18 or by email at kvicario@asu.edu

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Kristina Vicario

Recent Posts

Skinner’s career night propels ASU to narrow victory in season opener

(Photo credit: Aishling Cavanaugh/WCSN) TEMPE — With Desert Financial Arena buzzing, Arizona State found itself…

7 hours ago

Sun Devils prepare for Big 12 debut in Adair’s third year

(Photo credit: Marina Willams/WCSN) Excitement is brewing for Arizona State women’s basketball as the Sun…

19 hours ago

Sun Devils put up complete performance in fall exhibition against GCU

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) As warmup music echoed throughout GCU ballpark, baseball bats pinged and cleats…

2 days ago

Takeaways: Sun Devils Clinch Bowl Eligibility With Win Over Oklahoma State

With 22 seconds remaining in the first half Arizona State football found itself a single…

2 days ago

No. 13 Sun Devils Extend Win Streak to 10, Earn Season Sweep Over No. 22 Utah

(Photo: Katherine Gore/WCSN) In a match one month ago, No. 13 Arizona State Volleyball won…

3 days ago

Sun Devil arms against pros in exhibition against USA Baseball

(Photo: Austin Hurst/WCSN) PHOENIX - Senior right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez walked off the mound in…

3 days ago