Pac-12 Basketball: Way-Too-Early Pac-12 Power Rankings

8) Arizona State Sun Devils

2016-2017 Record: 15-18 (7-11, 8^th Pac-12)

Head Coach: Bobby Hurley, 3^rd Season

Departures: Torian Graham, Obinna Oleka, Sam Cunliffe,

Returning Players: Tra Holder, Shannon Evans, Kodi Justice, Ramon Vila

Key Additions: De’Quon Lake (JUCO Transfer), Romello White (Redshirt Freshman), Vitally Shibel (Redshirt Freshman), Kimani Lawrence, Remy Martin

Analysis:

Arizona State will once again have one of the highest scoring backcourts in the Pac-12, if not the country. Despite losing Torian Graham, they have three returning guards who all have the ability to score at a high rate.

Tra Holder, Kodi Justice, and Shannon Evans return to lead a team that will need to maintain its high offense in order to be successful. In losing Obinna Oleka and Sam Cunliffe, the Sun Devils lost the two best defenders on a Pac -12 worst defense.

The biggest question that will need to be answered is how Arizona State’s frontcourt is going to perform. Ramon Vila is the only returning forward, and their high profile transfers will all need to sit out this season. JUCO transfer De’Quan Lake and freshmen Romello White, Vitally Shibel, and Kimani Lawrence will need to excel for the Sun Devils to address their glaring weakness down low.

Head Coach Bobby Hurley has made major moves since arriving at Arizona State, but expect one more mediocre year before the Sun Devils break out.