Arizona State basketball’s Big 12 debut

TEMPE, Ariz. – After nearly a month away from home, Arizona State basketball was back home at Desert Financial Arena on Saturday.. Coming into the season, fans had little hope for the Sun Devils as they are young, small, and have a short bench this season. Head coach Bobby Hurley put his NIL hopes and dreams in freshman guard Joson Sanon, forward Jayden Quaintance, and guard/forward Amier Ali. After a very strong 9-3 record in the non-conference, what lies ahead for the Sun Devils?

Weirdly enough, in what is typically a loaded Big 12 conference, this season looks like it could be anyone’s conference to win. Iowa St, Houston, and Kansas are the clear favorites early in the season. However, they have all looked human when many thought they would be unbeatable. While only two games into the season, the West Virginia Mountaineers lead the conference.

What to expect from the Sun Devils?

After ASU’s game against BYU just three nights ago, many would have thought the season was over and the sky was falling. Arizona State lost their first BIG 12 game against BYU in dominant fashion, 76-56, in Provo. After the game, Hurley talked in detail about how BYU seemed to be more aggressive, bigger, and overall the better team.

In their second game of the conference slate, the Sun Devils looked much better. ASU shot 51.9% from the field and 46.4% from behind the arc en route to a big win, 81-61, over the Colorado Buffaloes. According to KenPom, ASU is projected to finish the season 8-12 in conference play. An 8-12 record in conference play would be good for 11th in the 16-team conference this season.

After their non-conference start, an 8-12 finish to the year would be quite a disappointment for Hurley. That would have the Sun Devils squarely outside of the field of 68 heading into March. This would require quite a historical set of upsets to get the Big 12 bid into the dance. With the trio of Sanon, Quaintance, and Ali all on the floor, ASU has looked unbeatable at times. Can they take that into the remainder of the Big 12 season and pick up a few games they shouldn’t?

Big 12 games to watch for the Sun Devils

There will be several games for the Sun Devils that could prove fruitful, but none more than the home games against Iowa St, Baylor, and Arizona. It’s very likely that all three will be ranked and become a Quadrant One win opportunity for the Sun Devils. If ASU wants to be inside the bubble, it NEEDS to win or at least compete in its Q1 opportunities.

It is possible that the Sun Devils will be coming off a loss ahead of each of those games. They play Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado, all on the road just two nights before the home contests. If Arizona State can win two of those three games, they will be squarely on the bubble. Once the Sun Devils are on the bubble, they need to not lose games that they are supposed to win. For example, a loss to TCU, Oklahoma St, or Kansas St does ASU a lot more damage than those wins do good.

Quaintance, Ali, and Sanon will all be back next season. ASU is hopeful it can sign five-star Koa Peat. Will the Sun Devils be talented enough to make a run in the Big 12 next season?

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