(Photo: Brooke Faber/WCSN)
The 2-seed Arizona State Sun Devils will get set to take on the perennial Final Four contending 7-seed Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday evening in Tempe.
ASU smoothly rolled past the 15-seeded New Mexico State Aggies by a score of 74-52. The Sun Devils were led by senior guard Katie Hempen, who was a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range. She finished out the night with 20 points, 17 of which came in the first half.
Tennessee was able to get past a tough game against Green Bay on Friday afternoon in Tempe; however, the Volunteers are experiencing one of their worst seasons in program history, totaling 13 losses on the season and finishing out conference play with an 8-8 record.
The Volunteers are still a 7-seed in the tournament, which should tell you everything you need to know about the annual success the program has experienced, but the Sun Devils are making sure to focus on the team that they have in front of them.
“There’s no reason to think about the past,” said ASU senior guard Arnecia Hawkins. “I think focusing on who their team is now and who we are now, and what we need to do tomorrow to match up well is what’s most important.”
Keys To The Game:
Continuing to Have a Strong offensive presence
The Sun Devils looked to have regained their offensive mojo in their first game of the tournament after Katie Hempen racked up 20 points. If the Sun Devils want to continue on further in the tournament, they will need to continue to have scoring performances like they did on Friday night. Against Tennessee, it will be important for post players like Sophie Brunner and Quinn Dornstader to make themselves part of the action early and often.
Elisha Davis vs. Diamond DeShields
Her defensive presence is going to be vital in this game for ASU. She is going to be responsible for guarding Tennessee’s star player, redshirt sophomore point guard Diamond DeShields, who is averaging over 13 points and five rebounds per game. DeShields is a player capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. She can shoot, she’s quick enough to get to the rim, and she’s tall enough to compete down low. It is going to be up to Davis to not only watch out for her on the offensive end but make sure to box her out as well.
Ball Security
The big thing that the Sun Devils did wrong in their last game is they didn’t take care of the ball well. While they forced 21 turnovers, they turned the ball over 18 times themselves. This is going to have to change especially against a talented, guard strong team like Tennessee.
X-Factor:
The guard play of Sun Devil seniors Katie Hempen and Elisha Davis is the X-factor in this game. In the tournament, guard play is crucial, especially against a team like Tennessee that has the capability of running a four-guard lineup. Both starting guards for the Sun Devils have experience playing deep into March, so both Hempen and Davis’ play will be the difference maker in the game.
Prediction:
This is going to be a close one. While on paper the Volunteers don’t appear to be as tough of an opponent as the Sun Devils have faced in the past, they have an extensive history in the NCAA tournament. Both teams are talented and both have the ability to make it to the Sweet Sixteen, however I do think that ASU’s experience will carry them past Tennessee and into the Sweet Sixteen.
