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Arizona State looks to build on success

Nov 14, 2008 - 11:17 AM Mississippi Valley State at No. 15 Arizona State 10:00 p.m. EST

TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Arizona State opens the 2008-09 season in uncharted territory, ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1991 with NCAA Tournament expectations.

The Sun Devils will look for a successful start when they take on Mississippi Valley State on Friday.

The Sun Devils return all five starters, highlighted by super sophomore James Harden, as they attempt to capture their first berth in the Big Dance since 1996.

Harden, who was the first McDonald's All-American to sign with ASU straight out of high school since 1984, is the Pac-10's leading returning scorer at 17.8 points a game.

Forward Jeff Pendergraph will provide Coach Herb Sendek a veteran presence as the team's lone senior after averaging 12.4 points per contest during his junior campaign.

Mississippi Valley State captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference title last year before falling to UCLA, 70-29, in the opening round of the West Regional.

The Delta Devils lost their top three scorers, with senior guard Michael Clark returning as the team's top at 7.8 points a game.