Arizona State Sun Devils: 20-11, 8-10 in the Pac-12
Head coach: Bobby Hurley (3rd season)
Players to watch: Tra Holder (18.4 PPG, 3.4 APG); Shannon Evans II (16.6 PPG, 3.5 APG); Romello White (10.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG)
Season recap: After remaining unbeaten until late December with marquee wins against Xavier, Kansas State and Kansas on the road, the Sun Devils rose to No. 3 in the nation, their highest ranking in school history. But the wheels came off down the stretch, as they lost five of their last six games and gave up 97 points to Colorado in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.
Dubbed "Guard U" when it was on fire to start of the season, Arizona State is led by senior Tra Holder, who dropped 40 points on the Musketeers and scored another 29 in the win against the Jayhawks just two weeks later. But his effectiveness dropped significantly in conference play, bottoming out with scoreless night against Oregon Feb. 22.
The Sun Devils struggled to defend anybody in February, allowing at least 75 points in eight of their last nine contests. They finished just tied for eighth in an unimpressive year for the Pac-12, but still snuck into the tournament thanks to their stellar nonconference resume.
How they make a run: Holder channels his unstoppable play from early in the season and shoots lights-out from the perimeter to extend his career by one or two games.
How they falter: Arizona State's lack of a post presence proves costly in the first round, as its opponent gets to the rim at will and outscores the Sun Devils in a shootout.
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