In a season riddled with firsts, Sunday’s midday affair between Arizona State and No. 6 Gonzaga remains no exception: It marks the first time the Sun Devils will match up with the Bulldogs in the program’s history.
After a lackluster first showing, the Sun Devils showed signs of improvement in their second game–especially on the offensive end–to secure an 81-74 victory against Santa Clara to improve to 2-0.
The maroon and gold displayed improved shooting from beyond the arc by notching 15 three-pointers. ASU has already made 22 triples through two games, doubling its three-point total through two games last season (11).
But now ASU will need to find a new gear. The squad prepares to face a No. 6 Gonzaga team that put the nation on notice in their season opener.
The Bulldogs dominated No. 8 Baylor in every facet of the game, claiming a resounding 101-63 win–the largest margin of victory (38) over a top-ten team in school history.
The Sun Devils will need to be especially vigilant on the glass to fend off a relentless Gonzaga frontcourt.
Against Baylor, The Zags out-rebounded the Bears 45-32, snagging a whopping 16 offensive boards to create 17 second-chance points.
Gonzaga also boasts strong continuity, with ten players returning from last season. According to EvanMiya.com, these returners totaled 81.4% of the team’s minutes last season.
Most importantly, Gonzaga returned two of its star backcourt players from last season: senior guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman.
As the Bulldogs’ starting point guard last season, Nembhard commanded the offense. He led the team in assists by a wide margin with 243 (6.9 per game).
Meanwhile, Hickman found a groove next to Nembhard and became a reliable scoring threat for Gonzaga. He knocked down a team-leading 78 three-pointers and shot an efficient 41.3% from deep last year.
Conversely, the Sun Devils still appeared to lack chemistry in their first two games–an understandable development considering the sizable roster turnover from last season.
“We got so many transfers and new guys coming in, and you still got coach trying to fill us out and (find) where he can incorporate us in the offense and defense,” senior guard Alston Mason said after ASU’s win over Idaho State. “The hardest part is the chemistry and (us) coming together as a team.”
Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. MST, as the Sun Devils head to Spokane for the first time in school history to take on the Zags at the Kennel.
Mighty challenge for Devils, but good barometer what they need to improve.