Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Shorthanded ASU men's basketball preps for Oregon State

Freshman guard Kodi Justice throws a behind the back pass at the ASU vs UNLV game on Dec. 3rd, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Arena. Justice would control the game in the second half leading the Sun Devils to a 77-55 victory over the Runnin Rebels. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)
Freshman guard Kodi Justice throws a behind the back pass at the ASU vs UNLV game on Dec. 3rd, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Arena. Justice would control the game in the second half leading the Sun Devils to a 77-55 victory over the Runnin Rebels. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)

Freshman guard Kodi Justice throws a behind the back pass at a home game against UNLV game on Dec. 3, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Arena. Justice would control the game in the second half leading the Sun Devils to a 77-55 victory. (Photo by Daniel Kwon) Freshman guard Kodi Justice throws a behind the back pass at a home game against UNLV game on Dec. 3, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Arena. Justice would control the game in the second half leading the Sun Devils to a 77-55 victory. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)

Over the past week, the ASU men's basketball team has been hampered by players who are unable to play, whether through injury or suspension.

The Sun Devils (10-10, 2-5 Pac-12) will be without at least three players Wednesday when they host Oregon State.

Junior guard Roosevelt Scott and freshman center Connor MacDougall will be ineligible for their third straight game due to a "violation of team rules," according to coach Herb Sendek Tueday. Neither player traveled with the team on its last trip to the Bay Area.

Sendek said he was "not at liberty to discuss" any specifics on the suspensions.

Additionally, freshman guard Kodi Justice has been ruled out for the season by doctors after breaking his ankle against Stanford last Saturday. Justice said he injured the ankle on his first appearance in the game. He said the doctors told him the timetable for his recovery is "about three to five months."

Sendek said that Justice had been progressing well and that he knows Justice will come back strong for next season.

"He has the best part of his career still ahead of him," Sendek said. "He's going to get stronger and keep getting better. We feel badly for him that this had to happen."

Sophomore forward Savon Goodman said that despite the missing players, the team must focus on doing its job anyway.

"We're a team, so where one person lacks, another's got to pick up," Goodman said. "We can't sit here and feel sympathy because we don't have a person. Somebody's got to come in their place and step up. That's it."

One way ASU has adapted recently to the lack of depth was changing the starting lineup. Sendek said that it will vary by opponent, but switching the starters in the front court allowed more flexibility.

"We decided not to start Savon and (junior forward) Eric (Jacobsen) together to preserve more fouls at the post position last game," Sendek said. "It had nothing to do with who's playing better. Sometimes it's just a function of matchups."

Goodman said that he's here to do what is best for the team in regards to the situation.

"I never complain or worry about what position I'm playing," Goodman said. "On this team it's not really about position, it's about just going out there, playing hard and doing what coach asks."

Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger.

Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.