Arizona State Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Sun Devils
By Cody Larson
Schedule
Given the uncertainty about scheduling games this season due to Coronavirus, here are a few already-scheduled games everyone should have circled on their calendar.
November 25th vs. Baylor
Want to talk about kicking off the season with a bang? Arizona State will open its non-conference slate by traveling to play what is arguably the best team in college basketball. After replacing Michigan Basketball to enter this year’s Empire Classic, the team’s first game will now probably be their toughest.
Sun Devil fans will not have to wait long to see if the hype behind this roster is real, depending on how they perform against Baylor Basketball. Both teams are loaded with chippy two-way guards, but all of the lights will be on the potential POTY matchup: Remy Martin vs. Jared Butler
December 3rd at California
ASU opens up their conference play against what should be a relatively easy win, California Basketball simply isn’t up to par with the Sun Devils this season. But kicking off the race to a PAC-12 championship with a win will be super important for gaining some positive momentum. Put this game on the TV screen for that reason.
December 30th-January 3rd vs Washington
During one of the last games of the season last year – before Coronavirus completed the infamous college basketball heist – Washington stole the opportunity from ASU to avoid a 3-game losing streak to close the year.
To get revenge on that 83-90 loss should sit near the top of the Sun Devils’ priority list in 2020-21. Sometime between December 30th and January 3rd (the actual date will be clarified later) is their chance.
January 20th-24th vs. Arizona
No matter the season, one of the games against Arizona (or both) should always be circles by Arizona State. The teams split what was quite the classic series showcase this last season, the Sun Devils would love to take the first game this time around (where they lost last season). They should have the edge over Arizona, but in rivalries as intense as theirs, any team is eligible for victory; which makes this can’t miss.
February 17th-21st at UCLA
One team finished ahead of Arizona State in the PAC-12’s preseason media poll. According to the results, UCLA edged out Arizona State by just a slim five points. By mid-February, it could be those two teams sitting atop the conference in actuality. Therefore, the importance of this game is self-explanatory; it could be key in crowning the 2020-21 PAC-12 champion. With that said, why shouldn’t one circle this game?