Historic Opportunity Slips through Sun Devils’ Grasp
The Sun Devils’ first Pac-10 championship was there for the taking, but a 73-70 overtime loss to Washington likely put an end to that dream. What do the standings look like now and where does ASU fit into the NCAA Tournament picture?
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention ASU baseball’s 2-1 win over Missouri last night. Mike Leake gave up one hit in eight innings, then let the bullpen tie a bow on it.
A very rare opportunity slipped through the grasp of Herb Sendek and the ASU basketball team last night. In over two decades of Pac-10 play, the Sun Devils have never won even a share of the conference title.
After last night’s 73-70 overtime loss at Washington, ASU is a full game in the loss column behind the Huskies and will likely have to win out to catch up. The top of the standings now look like this:
| Conf. | Overall | Remaining Games | |
| Washignton | 12-4 | 21-7 | vs. UA, vs. WSU |
| ASU | 10-5 | 21-6 | at WSU, vs. Stan, vs. Cal |
| UCLA | 10-5 | 21-7 | at Cal, vs. OSU, vs. Ore |
| Cal | 10-5 | 21-7 | vs. UCLA, at UA, at ASU |
Washington’s Justin Dentmon compared the game to a 12-round fight and nowhere was that more apparent than in the post. Fiery as ever, Jeff Pendergraph went for 24 points and 13 rebounds. Jon Brockman bruised his way to 21 points and 11 boards.
The Sun Devils still have between four and six games to make their case to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
Best Case Scenario: ASU closes out with three-straight wins and then wins three in the Pac-10 tournament. That would give the Sun Devils a 27-6 record and likely land them with a No. 3 seed outside the West.
Worst Case Scenario: ASU drops its last three games (two to teams to which it’s already lost) and is upset by a UA or USC in the Pac-10 tourney opener. The resultant 21-10 record would likely drop the Sun Devils to an 8 vs. 9 game.
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
There’s still plenty of hoops to play. How do you think the Sun Devils season will play out?
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I think Washington will close the deal and go 14-4.
My guess is that we win two of these last three and finish the regular season 23-7 (12-6).
In the Pac-10 tourney it all depends on matchups. If we end up with the 1 or 2 seed we should have no trouble advancing out of the first round. From there it’s anyone’s guess.
I’m feeling 24-8 and a 6 seed.
I see us winning out for the season, WSU will give us a tough test since its at Pulman, but I think James will come out and have a good game since he fouled out last night. Stanford we can handle again since its at home, and Cal wont be on fire with their shots like last time we played them. Tournament wise, we will probably end up with a 2 seed. Probably will make it to the championship where hopefully we play washington again at a neutral sight. Overall, I can see us ending up with a 5 seed
I see at least two regular season wins and at least two tournament wins. Cal is not going to get us. Either Stanford sneaks up on us or WSU has their way with our porous zone, but not both. 25-8 or 26-7. Or 27-6, I guess. I’m not in love with playing UCLA in the Staples Center tho…
Boy, Washington really showed they were the best team in the PAC-10 last night, huh? Anybody wanna hitch their wagon to that juggernaut? Apparently there’s no such thing as a foul during that “press” of theirs. Nor is there on a drive to the hole, at least if you’re #13 (save for that first play of the game). JP tho? Oh, he’s abusing poor Brockman, eh? I’ll accept this as karmic payback for the USC/UCLA/UA (in Tucson) calls in our favor, but on its own, this was unacceptably bad officiating.
Let me go ahead and say there’s no way UW wins the PAC-10 tournament and leave it at that.
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