That ASU Pie Piece Looks Big: Handicapping the Pac-10 Race, Part II
As we approach the halfway point of the Pac-10 season, we take a look at a race that should only get more interesting as we go. The best part: the Sun Devils’ piece of the pie below is the biggest!
(Hope the numbers add up—unlike last time.)
Be sure to check out this morning’s look at the conference underdogs!
The Favorites: ASU, Cal, UCLA, Washington
Cal, UCLA and ASU are all 5-2 at this point, but we don’t like Cal‘s chances as much as the other two. Cal still has to play each of the L.A. schools twice and close the season in Tempe. Cal’s incredible three point shooting (47 percent this year) keeps them in almost every game.
After losing at home to ASU and on the road to Washington, UCLA just isn’t as intimidating this year as we’re used to. We fully expect the Bruins to take care of the teams they should, but the preseason favorites still have to come to Tempe and play the Bay area schools twice.
Washington, at 6-1, is the front-runner in the Pac-10 right now, but the Huskies have the toughest conference schedule remaining. They have four legit scorers led by 5-foot-8 freshman gunner Isaiah Thomas and bruising senior Jon Brockman. Still, Washington has to play the Arizona schools twice and play the L.A. schools on the road.
That leaves us with our Sun Devils, and we consider them the slight favorites to win their very first Pac-10 men’s basketball title. ASU has already passed three huge road tests by beating Stanford, UCLA and UA away from Tempe. Seven of the team’s final 11 games are at home, and it’s all there for the taking. This Saturday’s home game against Washington will determine who’s chasing who down the stretch.
Odds of winning the title: Cal 15%, UCLA 20%, Washington 20%, ASU 25%
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As I type this ASU is 57 seconds away from losing at home to WSU. Even the most optimistic of Sun Devil fans (and that excludes me) can’t really think this is the 14th best team in the country.
At least UA took care of Washington for us!
Thanks for the jinx… echo from the buttes. Nice!
So, we mention something and it goes away as though we wished it away to the cornfield? OK. How about: Devon Kennard will uphold his commitment to USC, P-Murph will never win a title at ASU, and this whole second Great Depression thing will definitely happen.
In all seriousness, last night was rough. Rihards Kuksiks is 5-for-26 on 3s the last three games. Ty Abbott is 2-for-20 on FGs the last five. When those two are cold and/or injured, we don’t have enough Top 25 calibre players to put on the floor. Period.
That’s the problem with the Devils this year. They can have an off night offensively almost every night. The great think is they play mean defense, which will keep them in just about every game. Buckle up! It’s going to be an interesting end of the Pac-10 season.
I think someone (oh yeah, it was me) made a post before the season stating the three keys to ASU’s season:
1. James Harden must be James Harden
2. Jeff Pendergraph must show up every night
3. The supporting cast must step up and at the very least provide some support.
#1 has been there for all but one game.
#2, unfortunately, is not the given it should be (enjoy your time in Europe next season, Jeff).
#3, well, what did you really expect? It’s not like these guys were recruited by the major programs.