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Arizona State Basketball: Arizona State Sun Devils 2015-16 Season Preview

By Alex Furrier

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Arizona State Sun Devils

2014-2015 Record: 18-16 (9-9, Pac-12)
Postseason: NIT

For the first time since James Harden’s beard left and took its talents to the NBA, things are looking up for Arizona State Sun Devil basketball. Herb Sendek has left the building, and in his place is a new challenger: Bobby Hurley.

Who is this new hero? What will the Sun Devils accomplish under him? Where will ASU finish in the Pac-12 pecking order? Did Bobby Hurley accidentally take this job because he mistook Sun Devils for Blue Devils? The answer to this and more in this installment of the Pac-12 Basketball Preview!

Newcomers

G – JUCO – Andre Spight (South Plains College)
F – JUCO – Obinna Oleka (Cecil College)
G – JUCO – Maurice O’Field (M)

Who’s That Guy?

Bobby Hurley

In my earlier  Sun Devil Season in Review, I eulogized the Herb Sendek Era. Poor Herb was that guy you spend time with at work and social occasions, but when he sends you a text inviting you to his backyard BBQ there is suddenly an urgent excuse preventing attendance. In short: the epitome of OK.

ASU grew tired of Sendek’s patented strategy (succeed just enough to be kept around), and canned him. Bobby Hurley steps in as the new face of the program, and will be the main storyline of this year’s ASU squad. Hurley comes with a Duke basketball pedigree and a resume that includes taking Buffalo to the NCAA tournament in his second season at the helm. I’d like to think that Hurley spent much of his two seasons as Buffalo coach plotting away in his office listening to this old Sinatra classic:

Hurley probably muttered “anywhere, anywhere” for two straight seasons before jumping ship from the bitter New York winters for the warm Arizona desert.

What’s that sound?

The sound of Tra Holder breaking ankles and alley ooping to Savon Goodman

This duo looks to be ASU’s core impact players. Tra Holder is a year wiser and looking to make that freshmen-to-sophomore leap.

Last year he showed flashes of brilliance and ended up with a positive assist to turnover ratio as a freshmen PG. Savon Goodman looks to improve and possibly take over more of the scoring duties, as he finished last season averaging double digits in the points column.

Along with JUCO four-star recruit Andre Spight, the Arizona State Sun Devils have a competent crew that will look to make some noise in Hurley’s first season at the helm.

What are Thoooooose

New ASU Basketball Uniforms

Gotta start of a new era with a new look right? These uniforms are a step in the right direction.

Circle the Date

Dec. 12th: @ Kentucky

Hurley faces a trial by fire in his first non-conference season. The Sun Devils’ non-conference slate includes 10 games against teams that finished in the top 150 RPI last year. Woof!

If the Sun Devils can go into Rupp Arena and not get run out of the building with their tale between their legs (Sun Devils have tails right?), it will be a sign that Hurley’s squad is legit and cannot be overlooked.

Jan 3rd: vs. Arizona

The Pac-12 opener starts with a bang as Hurley gets his first taste of the Territorial Cup rivalry.

Last year, ASU took down Arizona on its homecourt, and they’ll look to do so again. How well the team performs in its Pac-12 opener could prove to be an omen of the conference season to come.

Season Outlook

Best Case

Hurley instills those Duke Blue Devil fundamentals to overcome a lack of top end talent. The Sun Devils lead the league in charges taken and technical fouls drawn.

Tra Holder makes a mini leap and is one of the best PGs in the league, Goodman averages 15+ points a game, and Hurley leads ASU to 3rd place in the Pac-12 and a tournament berth

Worst Case

Hurley finds out the Pac-12 isn’t the MAC and finds no mercy in his inaugaural season.

After brutal losses to Kentucky and Arizona, Sun Devil fans start chanting “There’s always next year” at most home games while the Phoenix media starts to put out columns wondering if Hurley is the right guy for the program. Sparky doesn’t crush it in 2015 like he hoped, becoming a second tier mascot.

Realistic Outcome

Hurley works his Dukie magic to mesh the Sun Devils into a team that is more than the sum of its parts. The Sun Devils finish 6th in the conference and barely miss the NCAA tournament, but there’s hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Sparky beats up Wilbur at the Pac-12 opener in Tempe, and ASU takes down their rivals from the south in the season highlight.

Next: Washington Huskies 2015-16 Season Preview

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