Arizona State Preview Capsule
Oct 29, 2015 - 1:24 AM Arizona State Preview CapsuleBy The Associated Press=
Arizona State
Last season: 18-16, lost in second round of NIT.
Nickname: Sun Devils.
Coach: Bobby Hurley.
Conference: Pac-12.
Key returners: Senior guard Gerry Blakes was one of ASU's top scorers last season and will be a veteran presence for the Sun Devils' seven newcomers. Center Eric Jacobsen shed 20 pounds in the offseason so he can play in the up-tempo style Hurley wants. Athletic forwards Savon Goodman and Willie Atwood will give Arizona State a formidable front line with Jacobsen, and point guard Tra Holder is expected to take another step after a solid freshman season.
Who left: Shaquille McKissic was Arizona State's leading scorer and one of its go-to players in tight games. The Sun Devils will miss the outside shooting of Jon Gilling and the scrappiness of Bo Barnes as well.
The Skinny: Hurley's arrival has generated nearly unprecedented excitement in the desert, giving ASU a big-name coach and an exciting style of up-tempo basketball. Former coach Herb Sendek did not leave the cupboard bare at all, giving him a solid core of veteran players to mix with the JUCO transfers Hurley brought in. If Hurley can get players that were mostly recruited by another coach to play his style, the Sun Devils could make a run to the NCAA Tournament in his first season.
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