Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league's best

Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league’s best

March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 28, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley during the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Arizona State Sun Devils

2015-16 record: 15-17 overall, 5-13 in Pac-12

Head coach: Bobby Hurley

Key returning players: Tra Holder, Obinna Oleka, Kodi Justice, Maurice O’Field

Newcomers: Four-star SF Sam Cunliffe, four-star C Jethro Tshisumpa, three-star PF Vitaliy Shibel, non-ranked C Ramon Vila, Buffalo/JUCO transfer Torian Graham, Buffalo transfer Shannon Evans

While the Sun Devils are losing three of their top five scorers (Gerry Blakes, Savon Goodman and Willie Atwood), they have a very promising backcourt duo of junior Tra Holder and Buffalo transfer Shannon Evans, and will feature one of the most underrated freshman in the country in Sam Cunliffe.

Holder and Evans are interchangeable at the one and two positions. Holder averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 2015-16, while shooting 39 percent from the floor overall and 37 percent from downtown.

Evans, who last played in 2014-15 and helped lead Buffalo to the NCAA Tournament, put up 15.4 points, dished out 4.6 assists and grabbed 3.2 rebounds per game. He also shot 41 percent from the field overall.

Meanwhile, Cunliffe’s scoring prowess, long arms, athleticism and shot making ability gives Arizona State extra versatility. He can play both the three and four positions (and maybe even some small ball five) at 6’6″ and will develop his defensive skills as time goes on.

Arizona State’s front court is lacking talent beyond Cunliffe, but they do have Obinna Oleka back and Jethro Tshisumpa in the middle to block shots. Vitaliy Shibel and Ramon Vila will provide extra bodies on the interior.

Bobby Hurley is also an excellent coach who is now likely much more comfortable in year two in Tempe. He’ll blend the talented backcourt together with Cunliffe and the rest of the front court.

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