NCAA Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season
. Sun Devils . 20. team. 512. .
Arizona State fans had to wait until the last minute of the NBA Draft deadline to find out the fate of its star guards, Alonzo Verge Jr. and Remy Martin. The duo combined for 33.7 ppg and 6.4 apg, with Martin being an All-Pac 12 star. Their return vaults them into the top-25 without question.
What also helps is the arrival of five-star freshman guard Joshua Christopher. The top-tier scorer will have an immediate impact on the wings, as well as top-30 wing/forward Marcus Bagley, brother of former Duke star Marvin Bagley III. The Sun Devils get an even bigger boost with Portland State transfer Holland Woods, who averaged nearly 18 ppg last season and will provide great backup off the bench.
"If Bagley and Christopher come as advertised and guys like Lawrence, Cherry, and others can step up and help supplement Martin and Verge, Jr., the Sun Devils can undoubtedly contend with Oregon and that team from Tucson for a Pac-12 title with the potential in my opinion to be a second-weekend team in the NCAA Tournament. – Jason Burgess (@CollegeHoopsGuy)"
As much talk as there is about the talented perimeter, the frontcourt has major questions. Things were good until forward Romello White transferred to Ole Miss unexpectedly. By then, many of the top-tier frontcourt options in the portal were gone, with others opting not to pick Arizona State. They did land JUCO center Chris Osten, who’ll have the opportunity to get the majority of the minutes at the five-spot.
The other frontcourt options include Kimani Lawrence and Taeshon Cherry. Both players combined for 9.6 ppg in 34 starts and are both 6’8 and versatile. They’ll each get plenty of playing time and if Osten can’t cut it at center, could very well play some minutes at the five-spot as well.
There’s incredible potential on the perimeter for Arizona State, which will automatically keep them in nearly every game, regardless of the opponent. But with major questions about its frontcourt, expectations should be kept in check until we see them on the court.