SJ V. ASU

[JohnnyFever]

Really tough not having LoVett for this game, but we still have a chance IMO. Remember that ASU was unranked entering the season, so they may be a bit overrated and due to come back to earth a bit. By no means expecting a win, but if we do somehow it will be really fun reading the forums afterward! We need to shoot around 50% or better from 3 and play solid defense to have a real chance IMO. Ponds looks like he's finding his groove again and hopefully this is the game he explodes for 38 points or something. Would be a huge win. If we lose, let's take care of our last 2 games vs. mid majors and get LoVett healthy for conference play.

 

[Joe Tempesta]

I always feel we need five guys scoring in double figures. Simon, Clark, Bashir, Ponds are a must. If we can get scoring out of Owens, Yakwe, Trimble, and Amir, these four might equal that "fifth player," and there might be some hope. On the other hand, Trimble COULD score in double figures by himself. He needs to get hot from the outside, and not only from the three.

 

[REB]

Both teams play with short rotations and the teams' top sevens are not very different in size. They start 6.1, 6.1, 6.5, 6.8, and 6.9 and their two key subs are 6.10 and 6.0. The key difference is that ASU's three guards shoot lights out from 3. Key to this game in my view is for our d to minimize the open looks from three which we've had mixed success in doing so far. Not having Lovett to hound one of their 2 - 6'1" shooters will make this tougher for us. Here's hoping we have a plan to stop their 3's and that we have enough inside to play effective D on their tall but thin guys without our guards having to collapse and leave shooters open.