Slow starts to the season can be expected for teams experiencing massive turnover like Arizona State. After all, the Sun Devils bring back just one starter from last season and welcome 11 new additions.
However, the Sun Devils’ flat performance against Idaho State in a 55-48 win at home is cause for concern, especially with stiffer competition coming in the next few weeks in non-conference play.
The Sun Devils start to the night was slow. Idaho State jumped out to an 11-3 lead off the tip, with ASU needing a 7-0 run of their own to get back in the game.
Additionally, five-star recruit and ASU freshman center Jayden Quaintance, picked up two quick fouls in the first two minutes, a start in what proved to be a difficult night for the freshman.
With 7:53 to go in the first half, the Sun Devils found themselves deadlocked in a 16-16 slugfest.
Slowly, the Sun Devils broke through offensively. They found a rhythm from beyond the arc and rode 50 percent three-point shooting (6-12) to grab a 31-20 lead heading into the break.
Yet another slow start to a half, marked by stagnant offense and a lack of energy, allowed Idaho State to stay in the game.
“I described it like it was an AAU game, how we approached it, or you know a game that had no meaning to it,” head coach Bobby Hurley said. “Especially in the first game, you would imagine there was a lot of juice and that you would think the last thing you have to worry about is being motivated.”
Despite ASU’s efforts to pull away, the Bengals continued to pound the offensive glass and gnawed away at the Sun Devil lead through second-chance opportunities.
Idaho State finished with 16 offensive rebounds and outrebounded ASU overall 46-44. Hurley acknowledged how the lackluster effort on the glass needs to improve going forward.
“If that team got 16 offensive rebounds some of our other opponents, as we start hitting the harder part of our schedule, they’re going to get like a million offensive rebounds in a game, if that’s our effort and desire to rebound,” Hurley said.
Down the stretch, the Bengals roared back and cut the lead to just one point with under five minutes remaining.
But in the dwindling minutes, ASU managed to pull away behind a strong effort from senior guard BJ Freeman.
ASU’s backcourt saved the day in the opener and proved to be the lone bright spot. Freeman provided 12 points off the bench while starting guards–senior Alston Mason and freshman Joson Sanon–combined to score 25 points.
On the other hand, the frontcourt struggled to supply the same juice. The Sun Devil’s starting forward combo of Quaintance and senior Basheer Jihad combined to shoot 0-13 from the field. They also added six turnovers to the Sun Devils’ total of 14 giveaways in the game.
The night was especially puzzling for Quaintance who showed flashes in the exhibition against Duke. Yet against Idaho State, he looked lost offensively, scoring only two points, and managing to grab only one rebound.
“I don’t know if it was the fouls that messed him up mentally early in the game, but he was kind of out of it today,” Hurley said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever watched a game where got one rebound in the game for the minutes he played.”
Overall, the night could be the wake-up call Hurley’s squad needed. The team gears up to play NCAA tournament teams from last season in Gonzaga (Nov. 10) and Grand Canyon (Nov.14).
“We’re going to pick this thing up,” Freeman said. “I can promise you guys that. It’s a new team (with) jitters, but it’s all going to come together.”
First, the Sun Devils will look to rebound from their opener in Sin City. The team hits the road to take on Santa Clara in Las Vegas on Friday, Nov. 8. at 6 p.m.
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