The 2020-21 college basketball season could be a calendar year to remember for Arizona State Basketball.
Arizona State Basketball had a fulfilling 2019-20 season, to say the least. But with that being said, there was still plenty left for fans to desire. The Sun Devils went 20-11 and finished 3rd in the PAC-12, performing significantly above the expectations laid out for them prior to the start of the season.
Fast-forward to now, just prior to the 2020-21 season, and the bar-to-meet is even higher for head coach Bobby Hurley and his team. Despite the swap of a few old faces with a few new ones, the base of the Sun Devils still looks rather familiar. That base was good enough on paper to finish 2nd in this year’s preseason PAC-12 media poll.
The return Arizona State’s two leading scorers last year, Remy Martin (19.1 PPG) and Alonzo Verge Jr. (14.6 PPG), are two key reasons for that high ranking. The two seniors will lead the pack next season, one that will be joined by top-notch recruits Josh Christopher (5-star) and Marcus Bagley (4-star; brother of Marvin Bagley).
The addition of those two youngsters will help fill the void for the exits of Romello White and Rob Edwards, potentially raising the Sun Devils’ ceiling in the process. Adding Holland Woods, an All-Big-Sky 1st-team selection last year, also helps their cause. With the rest of the core roster essentially being pasted from last season’s copy, Arizona State’s high national preseason ranking should come to no surprise.
“The ceiling is limitless for us this year,” said coach Hurley on his Sun Devils. The canvas is laid for Arizona State to have their best season yet under Hurley, here is a preview of that potential season before the painting officially commences.