Pac-12 Year in Review: Arizona State Sun Devils

The Pac-12 Conference had an interesting year. We take a look back at the Arizona State Sun Devils 2014-15 season in this year in review.

For something people supposedly “enjoy” (big ‘ole air quotes on that one), sports sure have the tendency to become masochistic. Picture with me the sights and sounds that accompany losing. The defeated spirit, slumped shoulders, and a whole lot of this:

Sports and losing go hand in hand. Someone’s gotta win, someone’s gotta lose. It’s the beauty of sports. Black and white in an era of grey. The perpetual loser never gives up hope, and frequently let’s fly the common refrain: there’s always next year. After about seven ANY (Always Next Year) seasons, ASU decided it was time to kick Herb Sendek to the curb.

In memory of everyone’s favorite Whoville look alike, we’ll immortalize Sendek’s final season as Sun Devil head coach with a recap of the season and a final grade.

The Record

The Sun Devils finished up the season with a record of 18-16. Their record accurately reflects their season: mediocre, yet barely passable. A rocky out of conference schedule, which included a gutwrenching triple overtime loss to midmajor Lehigh, prefaced the up and down conference play ahead. Starting conference play with four conesecutive losses rarely signifies a good omen. However, the Sun Devils showed good fortitude and managed to turn the season around after their foruth straight conference loss left them sitting with a sub .500 record. Their high point would arrive on February 7th, when they took down in state rival and sixth ranked Arizona for the second consecutive year.

The curtain of distraction proved too much for the Wildcats as

Bo Barnes

dropped 18 off of the bench. Anytime you can take down your rivals, especially at home, provides the sweet sweet taste of schadenfreude.

The Players

Super senior Shaquielle McKissic (say that ten times fast) led the Sun Devils offense with 12.4 PPG. ASU boasted a balanced attack, with three players averaging over 10 PPG. McKissic and fellow senior Gerry Blakes and their offensive firepower will be missed. This season provides hope for the future, as returning players Eric Jacobsen, Savon Goodman, and Tra Holder showed flashes of brilliance at various times this season. Local product Jacobsen made the leap from backup to productive starter, and managed to shoot an efficient .626 from the floor. Goodman, a well traveled journeyman player who seems to have finally found a home in ASU, gave fans a reason to be excited with his play. Scoring 11 PPG while shooting 56% and grabbing 7.5 boards a game is a welcome stat line anywhere. If he can improve his play and up his scoring, Goodman could break out next season. Despite coming in as an inexperienced Freshmen, Tra Holder managed to have a solid all around season. Holder posted a positive assist to turnover ratio, and should make significant strides into his sophomore season. As a whole, the Sun Devil players played just like their season: average.

The Coach

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Herb Sendek. What a guy. Sendek is the equivalent of that local takeout restaurant that has inhabited your city for the last 50 years. Sometimes it’s good, most times it’s just average. More than anything else, it’s safe. Whatever the opposite of fireworks are, that’s Herb Sendek. This season acted as a microcosm of the Herb Sendek Era. There were Doh! moments (losing to Lehigh and the hapless USC Trojans), and Aha! moments (taking down the Wildcats at home). In the end, the Sun Devils finished out the season playing in the NIT tournament once again, and sporting a record just above .500 (18-16). The Herb Sendek Special: Just good enough? The Herb Sendek Special always comes in the form of a question because after consumption that question always remains. Just good enough? ASU apparently thought not.

Final Grade: C-

No one expected fireworks this season. The struggles of young players certainly was expected though. Fighting it out and finishing above .500 is nothing to scoff at, but this season ended up being the straw that broke the camel’s back. Eventually “there’s always next year” loses meaning completely, at which point tough decisions must be made. Sendek skated on thin ice for too long, and this season it broke beneath him. New head coach Bobby Hurley brings a fresh face and renewed optimism to a program searching for just that. Don’t worry Sun Devil fans, there’s always next year.

Next: Hot Take: The Pac-12 Fears the Mountain West

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