Arizona State basketball receives votes in AP Poll

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State basketball is on the heels of a victory over Washington State who checks in at No. 19 in this week’s AP Poll. The Sun Devils controlled the game against Wazzu from start to finish. ASU jumped out to an 18-6 lead 10 minutes into the first half and led the majority of the game. WSU made a run early in the second half to take a lead momentarily, but the Sun Devils responded.

ASU walked away with a 73-61 win over a team that was holding onto first place in the Pac-12 going into the game. It was Hurley’s 12th win over a ranked opponent in his ASU tenure, and his seventh by double-digits.

Apparently, this win impressed one AP Poll voter.

AP Poll voter ranks Arizona State basketball

Bret Bloomquist (no known relation to ASU baseball coach Willie Bloomquist) covers UTEP athletics for the El Paso Times. This week Bloomquist placed Arizona State at No. 9 in his AP Poll. ASU is 14-14 overall and ranks sub-100 in both KenPom and the NCAA Net Rankings.

Clearly, this was some sort of accident, but nonetheless, it gave Arizona State basketball 17 official votes this week, placing them No. 34 overall.

You can see Bloomquist’s full poll here: Poll tracker.

Many national media members confuse Arizona and Arizona State often, and at first glance, that’s what was the assumed issue here. However, Bloomquist ranked Arizona No. 6 in his poll. Another alternative explanation I’ve seen offered on social media was that Bloomquist meant the Auburn Tigers. However, that one is also proved wrong with a closer look at his poll. The El Paso reporter ranks Auburn at No. 17.

Bloomquist has not explained his reasoning, but I’m sure he’s excited for a top-ten matchup according to his poll this week. No. 9 (Bloomquist’s poll) Arizona State will take on No. 6 Arizona this Wednesday at 8 p.m. AZT.

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