Arizona State Sun Devils Game Preview & How to Watch

The Essentials

Date: Thursday, 3/5/20

Tip-Off Time: 6:00 pm PT

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KOMO 1000

Streaming: Espn.com/watch

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Betting line: Washington +5.5

Arizona State 2019-20 Statistics:

Record: 19-10 (10-6)

Points For per Game: 73.2 ppg (93rd)

Points Against per Game: 69.7 ppg (143rd)

Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 105.6 (120th)

Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 93.7 (37th)

Strength of Schedule: 38th overall

Arizona State Key Players:

C- Romello White, Jr. 6’8, 235: 10.3 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 58.5% FG, 66.4% FT

White is one of the most efficient players in the country as he operates almost entirely at the rim. While he may not be a shooting threat he can protect the rim and rebound the ball at a high level even if he’s slightly undersized for a center at 6’8.

F- Taeshon Cherry, So. 6’8, 210: 4.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 apg, 33.9% FG, 23.3% 3pt, 50.0% FT

Cherry was a highly touted recruit but has yet to find his groove in college. He is making almost 2/3rd of his shots in the paint and then is shooting just 27% from anywhere else. The thing that keeps Cherry from being a complete black hole on offense is that he’s not very turnover prone and generally doesn’t force the issue.

G- Rob Edwards, Sr. 6’5, 205: 11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, 37.2% FG, 36.8% 3pt, 73.8% FT

The Cleveland State transfer is a gunner who can knock down 3-point shots but can be goaded into taking midrange shots and has issues finishing in traffic. Against Washington’s zone he’ll likely sit back and hope for open shots which is when he’s at his best.

G- Alonzo Verge Jr. 6’3, 167: 14.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 43.2% FG, 25.0% 3pt, 74.2% FT

One of the top JUCO recruits in the country a year ago, Verge erupted for 43 points on 29 shots earlier this season against Saint Mary’s. He’s clearly capable of getting into a rhythm but in general is yet another inefficient scorer and an abysmal shooter except from the free throw line. He is a decent passer and also an effective defender who could cause UW’s guards trouble on that end of the floor.

G- Remy Martin, Jr. 6’0, 170: 19.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 44.5% FG, 35.1% 3pt, 76.7% FT

Martin has been one of my favorite non-Huskies in the conference his first two seasons and he has had to take his game to another level dragging this offense along. He leads the conference in usage rate during Pac-12 play while also ranking 4th in minutes played. Martin’s an average shooter and passer for a point guard but is great driving to the cup.

2019-20 Arizona State Shot Chart

Synergy Sports

The Arizona State offense has been a chore to watch for most of the season and it’s not hard to see why looking at the chart above. When Remy Martin or Romello White get the ball in the paint then they can put up points but there’s no one that truly scares you shooting from the outside and a consistent 3rd scorer has never really emerged like Bobby Hurley would have hoped.

Prediction

Washington Huskies- 73, Arizona State Sun Devils- 80

*****

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