Assessing the Rivalry: Is ASU Now Arizona’s Best Hoops Program?
The Sun Devils’ fourth straight win over the Wildcats got us thinking. Has ASU officially passed UA as the state’s dominant college basketball program? Or is the jury still out?
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When asked before this season if ASU had caught up with UA in basketball, Jeff Pendergraph shrugged it off.
Quoth Pendergraph: “I don’t think you can beat somebody once or twice and that makes you better than them. It’s not like they have beaten us just once or twice. They have been beating us for a while. I think it’s going to take a little bit of time for us to be on that powerhouse level.”
We wonder what he’d say now. After all, the Sun Devils have won four straight over their long-time nemesis after last night’s thrilling 70-68 win. And, hey Zona Zoo, Lute Olson ain’t walking through that door.
Still, we’re not quite ready to believe the torch has been passed. There are just too many question marks—both north and south of Eloy. In no particular order:
- What will ASU’s roster look like next year without Pendergraph and James Harden?
- What will UA’s roster look like without Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill and Nic Wise?
- Who will be coaching the Wildcats? (Hint: It will not be John Calipari, Mark Few or Rick Pitino.)
As Herb Sendek said: “I’m exhilarated by what just happened. But I’m also realistic enough, I think, to realize that this game and the previous three could have easily gone the other way.”
So what do you say, Sun Devils? Has ASU passed UA as the state’s best college basketball program? Or is it still too early to tell? Let us know in the comments below.
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As much as i hate to admit this, it is to early to tell. As of right now, looking at this season and last, we are the best team. But fact is, uofa has owned us over the history of this rivalry
I also think it is too early to tell. The thing that gives me hope though, is the fact that au was a nothing program before Loot got there — that sizeable advantage they have in the all-time series was all built up over his tenure. Just like it has yet to be proven that ASU will still be performing at a high level after Harden and Pendegraph leave, it also has yet to be proven that they will stay at a high level now that Loot has left.
I saw a chart a few years ago that showed the all-time number of weeks that teams had spent ranked in the AP hoops poll. Prior to his arrival from Iowa, ASU and au were even, or ASU maybe even held a slight edge. Obviously they blew us out of the water over Loot’s tenure, and we had a massive dropoff from the Ned Wulk years. But I think the rats are making a major leap if they just assume that they are guaranteed a spot in college basketball’s royalty for all eternity. If ASU has found our Loot — or heck, even the 2nd coming of Ned Wulk — in Herb Sendek, our days of being noncompetetive in this series are done.
Both teams are in for some lean years. The recruiting has hardly been great for either team over the last two seasons. There is nobody on the bench, nor anyone coming in this fall, who will make people forget James Harden or Chase Budinger.
As I was watching the Oscars I was switching to the ASU/UA game, which was driving my wife and daughter nuts. With 11 minutes to play ASU was up by 14 and they screamed at me, “ASU is blowing them out – stop switching from the Oscars.” I know ASU hoops too well to know that a 14 point lead with 11 minutes to play is safe.
It’s too early to tell.
ASU is off to a great start in building a quality program but as previously stated, it all depends on what happens after Harden and Pendergraph leave. As long as Coach Sendek keeps getting quality recruits, ASU can continue to build on the foundation it has now created.
Another benefit for ASU is that the turmoil in the UA program has created a window of opportunity. The coaching issues at UA have now caused the loss of two recruiting classes which will impact that program negatively for the next few years. However, like all good programs, they will eventually return.
ASU fans shouldn’t root for UA to fail, but rather should hope that our state ends up like North Carolina, with two powerhouses (Duke and UNC) located near to each other.
Quality programs in both Tempe and Tucson make both teams better.
Brad — sez you. I personally have no problem with ASU carrying the banner for the state in everything and having to perenially make excuses for our pathetic weak sisters down south.