All season ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne has stressed that defense is the reason ASU wins games, and the statistics this season back that up.
In every one on the Sun Devils’ eight losses, their opponents have scored 65 points or more, and ASU has held teams to under 65 points in 12 of their 14 wins.
Only Oregon and DePaul have scored more than 65 points against the Sun Devils and lost.
ASU is also just 1-4 on the road in conference games this season, although the important lone victory came against USC.
Sophomore guard Deja Mann said she doesn’t think their recent struggles have anything to do with playing on the road, however.
“[In] most of the games we’ve lost, we just had a lack of focus and didn’t play as hard as we could,” Mann said. “That can happen at home, too.”
Go with the flow
In the opening minutes against UA, the Sun Devils did a good job getting the ball to their post players, which was a large reason why the game was close at halftime. However, points in the paint started to dry up for ASU as the game went on. That’s something the team needs to work on, Turner Thorne said.
“Our posts are finishing well right now, and you want the high percentage shot,” Turner Thorne said.
At the same time, the post play is not something that can be forced, she said.
“They really just need to see the game and play the game,” Turner Thorne said. “If you try to micromanage offense, especially with our group, it doesn’t go well, and they start forcing things.”
Simon and Burke return
Although she spent a week away from practice and missed two games for the Sun Devils, redshirt senior guard Dymond Simon showed no ill effects from her time off, racking up 21 points and dishing out three assists during ASU’s 73-61 loss to UA on Sunday.
Sophomore forward Joy Burke also got back onto the court on Sunday but didn’t see very much playing time, only grabbing one rebound. Burke was coming off a shoulder injury, and Turner Thorne said she expects Burke to play a larger role during the Sun Devils’ upcoming trip to Washington.
Final Stretch
With six games left, the Sun Devils’ NCAA tournament hopes are coming down to the wire.
Despite losing to UA on Sunday, ASU is still in the tournament according to the latest espn.com predictions. However, the tournament structure has dropped from an eight-seed to a 10-seed, and ASU will likely need to win in order to move up.
Injury update
While the Sun Devils have Simon and Burke back in the lineup, they are now unfortunately without the services of redshirt junior guard Markisha Patterson for an indefinite period of time, Turner Thorne said.
Patterson was injured during practice and suffered several broken bones in her face.
Turner Thorne said the team needs to know more before setting a timeline for her return, and Patterson will not be traveling with the team up to Washington.
Patterson has played in 21 games and started in seven for the Sun Devils this season.
Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu
