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

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Excitement is brewing for Arizona State women’s basketball as the Sun Devils enter a new era. Set to begin its inaugural season in the new-look Big 12 Conference, ASU fields a revamped roster in head coach Natasha Adair’s third season on the job, and the Sun Devils are ready to compete.

“I’m excited to see it all come together,” Adair said. “I know what it takes. So now having the pieces, seeing it in practice, seeing it come together, I cannot wait for opening night, because now everyone else will get to see it.”

ASU finished 11-20 last season in a highly competitive Pac-12 conference that fielded six top-25 teams at season’s end. Since her tenure started, Adair is 19-40 with Arizona State, as she has coached through a spat of crucial injuries in each season.

Despite those circumstances, the Sun Devils begin the 2024 season with a fresh start. They retained several high-level contributors while also adding a plethora of experienced talent in the transfer portal, contributing to the newfound energy in Tempe.

However, in order to reverse course from the past two seasons, there are still plenty of obstacles Arizona State must face, including a tough schedule in a conference that features four teams ranked in the top 25 preseason poll.

Big 12 Debut Slate

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Arizona State’s schedule brings a mix of tough non-conference matchups and a challenging conference slate, setting the stage for a season that will test the Sun Devils’ resilience and determination. With Adair leading the charge, she believes her team is ready to face formidable opponents both inside and outside the Big 12.

Non-Conference Play

Arizona State’s non-conference schedule begins with an opener against Jacksonville State on Nov. 4 in Tempe. This game offers the Sun Devils a valuable opportunity to find their rhythm before facing a more rigorous stretch. Later in November, the Sun Devils will have opportunities to sharpen their skills and face competitive challenges in the Briann January Classic and the Music City Classic.

ASU opens the Briann January Classic with its matchup against SMU. The Mustangs are a team undergoing a significant transformation under fourth-year head coach Toyelle Wilson. This offseason, Wilson completely revamped her roster, introducing eight new players to the program, seven of whom joined via the transfer portal. This influx of fresh talent will undoubtedly bring new dynamics to SMU’s gameplay.

In their next challenge at the Briann January Classic, ASU will face a formidable Oregon State team that reached the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA tournament. Coached by Scott Rueck, who is entering his 14th season with the Beavers, Oregon State has experienced recent success and is eager to return to that level of competition. The Beavers lost most of their talent from last season but welcomed seven new faces to the roster. The team is expected to be anchored by seniors AJ Marotte and Kelsey Rees, both of whom showcased their scoring ability by contributing 16 points in their opening exhibition matchup.

These games represent a significant opportunity for ASU, that could bolster their confidence and serve as notable wins over a Power Five team and a former Pac-12 Conference foe.

The highlight of the Sun Devils non-conference slate is the marquee Nov. 26 matchup against the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats in the Music City Classic.

This revamped Kentucky squad is under the leadership of new head coach Kenny Brooks, who previously led Virginia Tech to prominence. With Brooks comes standout graduate transfer guard Georgia Amoore, a highly decorated guard who brings an immediate impact to the Wildcats. Last season, Amoore averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists per game, earning third-team All-American honors. Her role in Virginia Tech’s success was pivotal, and her move to Kentucky signals a fresh, dynamic approach for the Wildcats this season.

Conference Play

As Arizona State enters conference play in the Big 12, the Sun Devils are confronted with a demanding schedule that features four ranked opponents, setting the stage for a thrilling season. The Sun Devils will clash with No. 8 Iowa State, No. 12 Baylor, No. 13 Kansas State, and No. 16 West Virginia — each of which presents a formidable challenge that will test ASU’s skill and determination. This tough slate not only offers the Sun Devils an opportunity to showcase their abilities against some of the nation’s elite teams, but it also serves as a crucial stepping stone in their navigation of their inaugural season in the Big 12.

The Cyclones are known for their fast-paced style of play and strong defensive capabilities. They are led by standout sophomore center Audi Crooks and sophomore forward Addy Brown, both of whom made the respective Naismith Hall of Fame positional award watch lists. Crooks led the team in scoring last year averaging 19.2 points per game, meanwhile, Brown led the team in rebounds, assists and blocks. Iowa State’s experience and depth make them a tough opponent. This game will be a significant test of the Sun Devils’ adaptability and resilience against a top-tier program.

When ASU takes on Baylor, it will be up against a powerhouse known for its rich history and championship pedigree. The Bears are led by head coach Nicki Collen, who has instilled a strong, competitive spirit in her team. A key player to watch is center Aaronette Vonleh, a senior transfer from Colorado who averaged 14 points and five rebounds per game last season. Vonleh has garnered significant attention as she was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, selected as one of ESPN’s top 12 impact newcomers, and made the Lisa Leslie Center Preseason Watch List. Vonleh is a familiar face for the Sun Devils’ returning players, but her presence on the Bears’ roster adds to the challenge ASU will face.

The Wildcats bring a balanced attack, featuring talented scorers and a disciplined defensive approach. Kansas State’s key player senior center Ayoka Lee – known for her scoring efficiency and rebounding prowess – averaged an impressive 19.7 points and nine rebounds per game last season. She was also named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, highlighting her impact on the court.

Against West Virginia, ASU will face a resilient and scrappy team that will likely be tough to beat at home. The Mountaineers, coached by Mark Kellogg, are known for their aggressive defense and ability to create turnovers, making this game a test of ASU’s offense. They are led by senior guard JJ Quinerly, who averaged 19.8 points per game last year and was named to the Naismith Player of the Year Award preseason watch list. West Virginia will look to capitalize on any mistakes the Sun Devils make. A win in this matchup would be a significant statement for ASU as they continue to build their identity in the Big 12.

The Sun Devils’ upcoming slate of games is full of tough matchups that will test Adair’s reloaded roster. If the Sun Devils can manage to upset any of the formidable opponents awaiting them this season, they will be able to make an immediate statement in their first year in the Big 12.

Reliable Returners

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Adair’s strong group of returning talent is spearheaded by a backcourt combo that is sure to stuff the Sun Devil’s stat sheet in the 2024-25 season.

Fifth-year guard Tyi Skinner returns after missing the entirety of last year’s campaign with a knee injury. Skinner was one of the most electrifying players in the Pac-12 in the 2022-23 season. Her 19.3 points per game ranked 27th in the nation and second in the Pac-12.

“Basketball is something I love and I’m passionate about,” Skinner said. “So just to be back on the floor with my team and getting to play with them, it means the world.”

Skinner will be joining last season’s leading scorer junior guard Jalyn Brown in ASU’s backcourt for the team’s inaugural season in the Big 12.

Brown, who joined the Sun Devils from Louisville via the transfer portal before last season, averaged 17.3 points and four rebounds for Adair’s squad while shooting 38.8% from the field. Brown showcased her ability to single-handedly carry ASU to wins last season, posting a career-high 34 points in a January road win over then-conference rival Washington.

Skinner and Brown have both shown their individual abilities to lead ASU to the occasional win in their separate stints as the go-to option. Both hailing from the DMV, the two guards are familiar with each other from as far back as middle school, and their ability to coexist and play well together this season will define ASU’s success.

Both Brown and Skinner are volume scorers, hoisting 16 and 17.3 shots per game, respectively, in their last full seasons. Their shot breakdown will be key to an efficient and effective Sun Devil offense in the coming season.

Brown is more of an inside-out creator than her fellow DMV native Skinner – the junior put up just 3.1 attempts per game from beyond the arc last season. On the other hand, Skinner shot over seven threes per game in 2022-23. Although both are volume-heavy, the contrasting styles between the two score-first guards offer hope that offensive cohesion between the two and the perfect marriage of inside finishing and outside shooting can be found sooner rather than later. Still, Skinner knows that cohesion right away may be difficult, but she is optimistic about what the process can bring.

“We’re still learning (about) each other,” Skinner said. “It’s a lot of things we’re gonna learn as the season goes on, we’re not really gonna get it all in practice.”

With just 38% of minutes returning from a season ago, Adair will have a tough task finding the balance between fresh and familiar faces in 2024-25.

Tenacious Transfer Portal Pursuit

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As soon as the 2023 season came to a close, Adair and her staff got to work in the transfer portal. ASU added seven veterans, three bigs and four guards to bolster its depth and experience across the court.

“As soon as the season ended, we were able to identify specific needs,” Adair said on Oct. 28. “We have size, we have depth, we have height, but I love the fact that we have experience, experienced players that have played in the Big 12.”

To strengthen the front court specifically, the Sun Devils added graduate center Nevaeh Parkinson, junior forward Kennedy Basham and senior forward Heavenly Greer. The addition of these players is expected to boost one of ASU’s most troubled spots throughout 2023-24.

Parkinson arrived in Tempe following two breakout seasons with UC Irvine. During a senior campaign that led to an NCAA tournament appearance, she scored 8.6 points per game and grabbed 215 total rebounds, averaging 6.7 per game. For reference, Arizona State’s leading rebounder in 2023, Journey Thompson, had 137 total, averaging 4.4 per game.

While the Dallas native’s interior offense and rebounding abilities show on the stat sheet, Adair believes her veteran energy is a valuable asset that may not be as visible.

“I call her my baby [former NBA player Charles] Barkley, very good hands and great feet, good mechanics,” Adair said. “No stranger to the big stage, [she] did really well in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. She just brings a maturity, a confidence, a presence inside.”

In the tournament, Parkinson posted a career-high 18-point double-double with 10 rebounds in the first-round game against Gonzaga, which is valuable experience for a team with playoff aspirations.

Additionally, Basham, a Phoenix native, returns to the Valley after two seasons with Oregon. The 6-foot-7 Basham played strong defense last season. She led the Ducks in blocks with 48. Along with defensive prowess, she also averaged 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 points per game while shooting 40% from the field. Basham’s size and versatility around the basket help form a strong frontcourt rotation for Arizona State.

The Sun Devils’ final transfer big, Greer, is also from Phoenix. She returns home after a two-year stint at Kansas State. ASU is the third stop in Greer’s career, which also includes a season with Oklahoma. Greer’s postseason experience with the Wildcats, including the NCAA tournament last year, is a reason she caught Adair’s eye. She also impressed Adair with ferocious rebounding, resulting in 113 total career rebounds, 61 of which came during her sophomore year at Kansas State.

“She’s just that junkyard dog,” Adair said “I mean, she is on the glass, she is blue collar. She’s going to get in every 50/50 ball. She’s just relentless in her effort. Rebounding, the word that I love, will be a big thing for her.”

After losing two of her top three scorers in guards Trayanna Crisp and Jaddan Simmons, brought in multiple experienced replacements. Headlined by sophomore guard Jyah LoVett from San Jose State and graduate guard Jazion Jackson from Texas Tech, ASU’s backcourt additions add valuable depth to a position of strength.

LoVett comes to Tempe after being named to the Mountain West All-Freshman team for leading the Spartans in points per game with 14.6 and total steals with 41. She displayed her scoring versatility by shooting nearly 40% from three-point range and moved the ball well to the tune of 55 assists in 17 games.

“I call her my pit bull.“ Adair said of LoVett. “… She’s a pit bull because she is so relentless. She’s a scorer, and I’m excited to see her grow.”

Beyond LoVett, Jackson also provides key depth for the Sun Devils. Like Simmons last year, Jackson is a rebounding guard with two-way upside. While Jackon missed the 2023-24 season due to injury with Texas Tech, her 2022-23 stats at UTEP earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors. She scored 11.6 points per game and swiped 66 steals for the Mountaineers two years ago, while also pulling down 118 defensive rebounds, something Adair was keen on.

“Dynamic guard, but prides herself on defense,” Adair said of Jackson. “I mean, she is relentless. She’s in your face, she’s disruptive, big guard, versatile. She can shoot the three. She can attack off the dribble.”

Adair believes all of the transfers give the Sun Devils the depth and talent to play many different starting lineups. Combined with the collective experience and leadership these players add, the Sun Devils have a new-look roster ready to compete in the Big 12.

ASU women’s basketball enters a new era anchored by two key returners and a plethora of new faces up and down the roster. In a conference welcoming four new teams and losing two more, it’s easy to lose sight of the strong potential of Sun Devil women’s basketball heading into their first season in the Big 12. Adair’s squad has a lot to prove but also may have the tools to finish higher than outside expectations. No matter what, Adair believes it will be fun to watch.

“You’re gonna be on the edge of your seat,” Adair said. “We’re playing both sides of the ball. We’re not just wreaking havoc. We want to execute. We want to show a beautiful brand of basketball, and that’s the part I’m excited for our fans to see.”