If the ASU men's basketball team makes the NCAA Tournament, the Sun Devils had better start knocking down outside shots if they hope to advance past the opening round.
Saturday's 92-72 loss to archrival UA was a classic example, as the Sun Devils were a paltry 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from three-point range.
ASU was forced into taking too many outside shots because UA's zone defense blocked all the inside passing lanes leading to freshman forward Ike Diogu. When the big man did get the ball down low, he was swamped with multiple defenders in his face. As a result Diogu shot just 43 percent from the field, 17 percent lower than his season average.
"(UA) did the same thing they did the first time we played them," Diogu said. "They put two or three defenders around me all the time. They tried to take the inside away and they executed their game plan."
That kind of game plan is something more and more Pac-10 teams are picking up on, attempting to stop Diogu from scoring at will inside the paint. The result has led to a plethora of free throws for Diogu.
Fortunately for the Sun Devils, Diogu is shooting 74.1 percent from the line, converting all those fouls into points. Still, the more teams who pick up on UA's strategy, the less Diogu will get the ball down low. Against the Wildcats, he went to the charity stripe just twice.
"The intent of our zone was to keep Ike occupied," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "Sometimes you take chances and gamble and this time it paid off for us."
If the Sun Devils continue to shoot poorly from the outside, like they did Saturday, clogging the middle won't be a gamble at all. It will be a priority for opponents.
ASU head coach Rob Evans understands the fact that his team relies on the inside shot to execute its game plan. After Saturday's game, Evans said his team shot too many three-pointers, and didn't exhibit the patience it needs to send the ball down low.
Four games remain on the schedule and every opponent has already seen ASU's offensive scheme. While Diogu has worked hard underneath the basket all season, he'll need his teammates to open things up by hitting some long jumpers or he's in for one crowded of a home stretch.
Reach the reporter at casey.pritchard@asu.edu.
