Pac-12 Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils speaks to Remy Martin #1 during the first half of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

512. . . . Sun Devils . 6. team

2018-19 Record: 23-11 (12-6 Pac-12)

Head Coach: Bobby Hurley (5th Season)

Key Returners: Remy Martin, Rob Edwards, Kimani Lawrence, Taeshon Cherry, Romello White

Big Departures: Luguentz Dort, Zylan Cheatham, De’Quon Lake

Top Newcomers: Jaelen House, Jalen Graham, Andre Allen, Alonzo Verge, Khalid Thomas

One of the most surprising results of the Pac-12’s fall from glory over the past few seasons in Arizona State’s emergence as the most consistent team in the conference. Bobby Hurley’s squad has combined dominant non-conference performances with middle of the pack Pac-12 finishes to earn their spot in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons.

This year, however, the Sun Devils will have to grapple with yet another new identity and the much-improved competition in the Pac-12. While consistency has not been lost on Arizona State, the variation in Hurley’s roster construction from year-to-year will certainly catch up to him sooner of later.

Despite these concerns, Arizona State certainly has the talent to push for another 20-win season. With Remy Martin and Rob Edwards returning and the high potential of Romello White, Taeshon Cherry and Kimani Lawrence, Bobby Hurley has a lot of talent to work with in his starting five.

The issues for Arizona State come deeper in the rotation, which lacks any impactful Division I experience outside senior Mickey Mitchell. While JUCO transfers Andre Allen, Alonzo Verge and Khalid Thomas have shown the ability to play at a high level, the leap to the high-major ranks won’t be easy. That said, Hurley will need the Sun Devils to compete early if he aims to return to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year.

A lot of Arizona State’s success falls on the shoulders of point guard Remy Martin, and that doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Sun Devils. If Martin is capable of playing at the same level as Tra Holder and Lu Dort before him, the team will dance. If he can’t, several players will need to make huge improvements to make the Sun Devils successful.

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