Echo from the Buttes: A Sun Devil Sports Blog for ASU Students and Grads, Sun Devil Fans and Residents of Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Maricopa County
I probably owe ya’ll a bit of explanation. As I previously told beatuofa, I started EftB to experiment with brand building and e-marketing. I gained what I hoped to gain from it. Unfortunately, I tend to get a bit obsessive over certain projects, and maintaining a consistently quality experience became too time-consuming. I’m not one to half-ass things.
The most disappointing thing about shutting down the site is missing the interactions with the commenters. I hope to invite our regulars to an ASU baseball game after March Madness so we can meet some of our fellow Sun Devils face to face. So be on the looking for an invitation in the coming months.
Open question: Should UA go to the NCAA Tourney anyway? They’re only 19-12 but they have wins over Gonzaga, Kansas, UCLA and Washington. I don’t want them in the tournament, but I’d rather play a team like St. Mary’s or San Diego State than Arizona. Thoughts?
@TheInferno, you may be right. The shooting guard spot is a toss up between Lockett, Abbott and McMillan. Remember, Lockett’s the highest rated player in ASU’s class.
I’d not be surprised to see Abbott come off the bench unless he rediscovers his stroke. You gotta love the way he’s contributing without the shot though.
I wouldn’t be surprised to lose a player or two this off-season, but I don’t think it’ll be Shipp. He only has one season left, so he’ll probably close it out. If he’s not careful, Abbott will lose PT to Trent Lockett and Demetrius Walker next year. I think Kraidon Woods is a goner. They went with Taylor Rohde instead of him in garbage time today.
It’ll be interesting to see the makeup of the team next year.
A bit of good news last night, the Lady Devils upset Cal 63-41 to win their 15th straight game! If they beat Stanford on Saturday, they’ll win a share of the conference title for the first time since 2001.
Wow, didn’t your mom make you watch Bambi when you were a kid? “If you can’t say something nice… don’t say nothing at all.” Remember, if we wouldn’t say something to a fellow Devil’s face over a beer at Casey Moore’s, let’s please not say it here.
“Twenty years ago, when Calhoun was just getting started with them, I heard “UConn” and thought my Syracuse was getting stomped by a team from frigid Canada. I don’t make that mistake anymore.
Suffice to say, Jim Calhoun is the Joe Paterno of UConn. If some jackass wants to show him up, he’s deserves to get chastised.
Besides, isn’t he under contract? I understand him not getting a raise, or maybe an attempted pay cut when his current deal is up (good luck with cutting the pay of a two-time champ), but for right now, this is such a non-issue. Talk to the overpaid insurance execs in Hartford before you head to Storrs.”
@Greg, I agree that it was a total ambush by the “journalist”. I’m almost surprised he didn’t call Calhoun a capitalist pig and throw a shoe at him.
That said, I think Calhoun could’ve displayed a bit of compassion for the pain so many of his countrymen (and people around the world) are going through. Oh well, two days later Calhoun wins his 800th game and no one seems to be talking about this.
@Jake, definitely gotta give Glasser some dap. He’s developed into an average (perhaps above average) Pac-10 point guard. I really like his intangibles. He’s super tough and he’s obviously very clutch as evidenced by shots against Arizona and UCLA.
Here’s a nice writeup on Glasser’s growth from the AP last week …
Add WR Jarrid Bryant to the list above. A former high school teammate of ASU’s quintet of Centennial grads, Bryant spent the last year playing basketball at a prep school in Connecticut. Here’s what ASU had to say about Bryant:
“Jarrid Bryant, a 6-4, 185-pound wide receiver from Salisbury Prep School in Salisbury, Connecticut, … originally attended Corona (Calif.) Centennial High School where he was a star basketball player. He did not play football as a senior in high school. Teammates from Centennial High School at ASU include current players Ryan Bass, Shelly Lyons and Brandon McGee and fellow 2009 signing classmates Vontaze Burfict and William Sutton. Bryant becomes the 20th high schooler in ASU’s 2009 recruiting class.”
@David, I second the San Diego motion and move to amend by adding Las Vegas to the list. There are half a dozen BCS-calibre prospects there every year and it’s a 45 minute flight from Tempe. Plus, Dennis Erickson used to make a living there when he coached at OSU. I know we’ve tried of late, but other than Lawrence Guy I don’t know that we’ve had much luck.
Add to the list above one more name: Kipeli Koniseti, a QB/LB from Sacramento. Subtract from the list another name: Anthony Rose, who has apparently not signed.
That leaves the finall tally as 21 new Sun Devils — four who signed in December and 17 who signed today. Go Devils!
Vontze Burfict is officially a Sun Devil! Now it’s up to Mr. Burfict to get eligible.
It’s easy to diss Dirk Koetter, but let’s not forget the strides made under his watch in the field of academic support. Recruits truly beleive that ASU will provide them with the best academic support — to the chagrin of Mike Stoops last year and Pete Carroll this year.
Mad props to Jean Boyd for leading the academic support charge.
It would require a monumental collapse brought on by an injury to one of the big two to keep us out of the dance. We have at the very least 10 opportunities to pick up five more wins. We’re in. Just sad that we dropped from a 3 or a 4 to a 7 or 8 over the weekend.
As for the future, we do appear to have some decent recruits coming in. I don’t think there’s a replacement for James Harden in there, but at least they’re P-10 calibre player–which we don’t have enough of right now.
Derek Smith’s inclusion is bittersweet for me. It reminds me how few of the ’96 team stars are no longer in the league. Jake Plummer, Derrick Rodgers, Keith Poole, JR Redmond and (or course) Pat Tillman all had fruitful NFL careers that are now over. Some of those guys were legit stars.
It’s kind of sad to think how few NFL stars the Dirk Koetter era produced. Terrell Suggs (a Bruce Snyder recruit) and Zach Miller. That’s it so far, right?
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.
If you go to the protest today, please be sure to give us a report here in the comments! I work in Tempe, but I’m very interested to find out what happens down there. Go Devils!
Kennard has NOT chosen the path previously traveled by the Miller brothers from Desert Vista to ASU. According to USCFootball.com and a number of other sources, he’s going to USC. It looks like ASU wasn’t even a serious option.
From USCFootball.com: “All three schools, USC, Texas and Cal offered a great education, and education is something I take seriously. SC has a great business school and I want to get a degree that will help me provide for my family after football. I know, especially with this injury, that football can be taken away anytime.”
Coleman claimed yesterday that the step was unintentional. Not sure I buy it, but here it is …
“I never meant to step on him. I have never been in an incident like this before, and I have nothing but respect for him as a great player. I love the game too much to do something like that intentionally. I want to say I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I know that God knows what is in my heart, but I am hopeful that Chase will understand and forgive.”
@Jake, Germany never made it into the program. Not sure where he is now. Here’s what ESPN said last August:
“Germany hasn’t sufficiently fulfilled requirements set forth by coach Dennis Erickson and the school to join the team, according to an athletic department official.”
Ty’s definitely struggled this season, even before the thumb injury.
Glasser shot 6-for-22 on the trip and had six turnovers against USC. He went turnover-less against UCLA and hit some big shots in both wins. I’d rather have him than Jason Braxton.
A couple quick notes on track: The sixth-ranked women are coming off back-to-back indoor titles. Only LSU (1993-97) has won three or more in a row. Meanwhile, the second-ranked men are coming off first indoor title in history. Greg Kraft seems to have this program on cruise control!
@David, QUESTION: Are you suggesting ASU cap enrollment to ensure a higher level of students attend? If so, where do you see prospective students who come up short pursuing a higher education in this state?
Echo from the Buttes Exhausts Eligibility, May Petition NCAA for Fifth Season in Future
March 17th, 2009 at 9:04 amI probably owe ya’ll a bit of explanation. As I previously told beatuofa, I started EftB to experiment with brand building and e-marketing. I gained what I hoped to gain from it. Unfortunately, I tend to get a bit obsessive over certain projects, and maintaining a consistently quality experience became too time-consuming. I’m not one to half-ass things.
The most disappointing thing about shutting down the site is missing the interactions with the commenters. I hope to invite our regulars to an ASU baseball game after March Madness so we can meet some of our fellow Sun Devils face to face. So be on the looking for an invitation in the coming months.
Go Devils!
Matt
PS You’re welcome to follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook. I promise to follow back!
ASU 68, UA 56: Enjoy the NIT, Wildcats!
March 13th, 2009 at 8:41 amOpen question: Should UA go to the NCAA Tourney anyway? They’re only 19-12 but they have wins over Gonzaga, Kansas, UCLA and Washington. I don’t want them in the tournament, but I’d rather play a team like St. Mary’s or San Diego State than Arizona. Thoughts?
Demetrius Walker's Big Weekend: Is He Ready to Step In for James Harden?
March 10th, 2009 at 7:14 pm@TheInferno, you may be right. The shooting guard spot is a toss up between Lockett, Abbott and McMillan. Remember, Lockett’s the highest rated player in ASU’s class.
I’d not be surprised to see Abbott come off the bench unless he rediscovers his stroke. You gotta love the way he’s contributing without the shot though.
Quoth Jeff Pendergraph: "We're Kind of at the Bottom Right Now"
March 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pmI wouldn’t be surprised to lose a player or two this off-season, but I don’t think it’ll be Shipp. He only has one season left, so he’ll probably close it out. If he’s not careful, Abbott will lose PT to Trent Lockett and Demetrius Walker next year. I think Kraidon Woods is a goner. They went with Taylor Rohde instead of him in garbage time today.
It’ll be interesting to see the makeup of the team next year.
Sun Devils' "Incredible" Seniors just Two Wins Shy of Elusive Pac-10 Title
March 6th, 2009 at 7:18 amA bit of good news last night, the Lady Devils upset Cal 63-41 to win their 15th straight game! If they beat Stanford on Saturday, they’ll win a share of the conference title for the first time since 2001.
The game’s on TV as stated above. Go Devils!
Weekend Links and Audio: State of the ASU Baseball Program
February 28th, 2009 at 11:31 amWow, didn’t your mom make you watch Bambi when you were a kid? “If you can’t say something nice… don’t say nothing at all.” Remember, if we wouldn’t say something to a fellow Devil’s face over a beer at Casey Moore’s, let’s please not say it here.
Video: Unlike Dennis Erickon and Herb Sendek, Jim Calhoun has Mouths to Feed Dammit
February 27th, 2009 at 7:12 amSorry, ZD. I accidentally deleted your comment …
“Twenty years ago, when Calhoun was just getting started with them, I heard “UConn” and thought my Syracuse was getting stomped by a team from frigid Canada. I don’t make that mistake anymore.
Suffice to say, Jim Calhoun is the Joe Paterno of UConn. If some jackass wants to show him up, he’s deserves to get chastised.
Besides, isn’t he under contract? I understand him not getting a raise, or maybe an attempted pay cut when his current deal is up (good luck with cutting the pay of a two-time champ), but for right now, this is such a non-issue. Talk to the overpaid insurance execs in Hartford before you head to Storrs.”
Video: Unlike Dennis Erickon and Herb Sendek, Jim Calhoun has Mouths to Feed Dammit
February 27th, 2009 at 7:11 am@Greg, I agree that it was a total ambush by the “journalist”. I’m almost surprised he didn’t call Calhoun a capitalist pig and throw a shoe at him.
That said, I think Calhoun could’ve displayed a bit of compassion for the pain so many of his countrymen (and people around the world) are going through. Oh well, two days later Calhoun wins his 800th game and no one seems to be talking about this.
ASU 74-UCLA 67. Quoth Jeff Pendergraph: "Yeah, What You Going to Say Now?"
February 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm@Jake, definitely gotta give Glasser some dap. He’s developed into an average (perhaps above average) Pac-10 point guard. I really like his intangibles. He’s super tough and he’s obviously very clutch as evidenced by shots against Arizona and UCLA.
Here’s a nice writeup on Glasser’s growth from the AP last week …
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/10/sports/BKC-T25-Arizona-St-Glasser.php
5 Questions about the Arizona State Sun Devils' 2009 Recruiting Class
February 10th, 2009 at 10:17 amAdd WR Jarrid Bryant to the list above. A former high school teammate of ASU’s quintet of Centennial grads, Bryant spent the last year playing basketball at a prep school in Connecticut. Here’s what ASU had to say about Bryant:
“Jarrid Bryant, a 6-4, 185-pound wide receiver from Salisbury Prep School in Salisbury, Connecticut, … originally attended Corona (Calif.) Centennial High School where he was a star basketball player. He did not play football as a senior in high school. Teammates from Centennial High School at ASU include current players Ryan Bass, Shelly Lyons and Brandon McGee and fellow 2009 signing classmates Vontaze Burfict and William Sutton. Bryant becomes the 20th high schooler in ASU’s 2009 recruiting class.”
5 Questions about the Arizona State Sun Devils' 2009 Recruiting Class
February 6th, 2009 at 7:21 am@David, I second the San Diego motion and move to amend by adding Las Vegas to the list. There are half a dozen BCS-calibre prospects there every year and it’s a 45 minute flight from Tempe. Plus, Dennis Erickson used to make a living there when he coached at OSU. I know we’ve tried of late, but other than Lawrence Guy I don’t know that we’ve had much luck.
5 Questions about the Arizona State Sun Devils' 2009 Recruiting Class
February 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pmHere’s a nice roster addition. Gerald Munns will be back with the team according to the Republic. This is as good as signing a 4-star JC linebacker!
A salute to Munns: http://www.echofromthebuttes.com/2008/09/09/gerald-munns-is-a-bad-motha-shut-yo-mouth/
Munns out for the year: http://www.echofromthebuttes.com/2008/10/01/gerald-munns-is-out-for-the-season/
It’s Signing Day: Expect the Unexpected—Even from Vontaze Burfict
February 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pmAdd to the list above one more name: Kipeli Koniseti, a QB/LB from Sacramento. Subtract from the list another name: Anthony Rose, who has apparently not signed.
That leaves the finall tally as 21 new Sun Devils — four who signed in December and 17 who signed today. Go Devils!
It’s Signing Day: Expect the Unexpected—Even from Vontaze Burfict
February 4th, 2009 at 10:15 amVontze Burfict is officially a Sun Devil! Now it’s up to Mr. Burfict to get eligible.
It’s easy to diss Dirk Koetter, but let’s not forget the strides made under his watch in the field of academic support. Recruits truly beleive that ASU will provide them with the best academic support — to the chagrin of Mike Stoops last year and Pete Carroll this year.
Mad props to Jean Boyd for leading the academic support charge.
Is the Sun Devil Hoops Team “Weak-Minded” or Simply in a Slump?
February 4th, 2009 at 7:34 amIt would require a monumental collapse brought on by an injury to one of the big two to keep us out of the dance. We have at the very least 10 opportunities to pick up five more wins. We’re in. Just sad that we dropped from a 3 or a 4 to a 7 or 8 over the weekend.
As for the future, we do appear to have some decent recruits coming in. I don’t think there’s a replacement for James Harden in there, but at least they’re P-10 calibre player–which we don’t have enough of right now.
Shameless Plugs …
Introducing Trent Lockett and Ruslan Pateev
http://www.echofromthebuttes.com/2008/11/13/herb-sendek-and-charli-turner-thorne-reload-asu-hoops-for-2009-10/
Audio Scouting Report on Demetrius Walker
http://www.echofromthebuttes.com/2009/01/23/weekend-links-and-audio-is-demetrius-walker-the-next-lebron-james/
Top 15 Sun Devils in the NFL in 2008, Part I
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 amDerek Smith’s inclusion is bittersweet for me. It reminds me how few of the ’96 team stars are no longer in the league. Jake Plummer, Derrick Rodgers, Keith Poole, JR Redmond and (or course) Pat Tillman all had fruitful NFL careers that are now over. Some of those guys were legit stars.
It’s kind of sad to think how few NFL stars the Dirk Koetter era produced. Terrell Suggs (a Bruce Snyder recruit) and Zach Miller. That’s it so far, right?
That ASU Pie Piece Looks Big: Handicapping the Pac-10 Race, Part II
January 30th, 2009 at 7:48 amSo, 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.
A Message from the Sun Devil Advocates: Rally to Fight Budget Cuts
January 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pmThanks for the kind words, Mack. As long as you’re here, how are your Dawgs looking? You lost Knowshown and Safford, right?
A Message from the Sun Devil Advocates: Rally to Fight Budget Cuts
January 28th, 2009 at 8:15 amIf you go to the protest today, please be sure to give us a report here in the comments! I work in Tempe, but I’m very interested to find out what happens down there. Go Devils!
Recruiting Update: Two More Future Sun Devils Commit; Is the Big Fish Nearly on the Line?
January 27th, 2009 at 8:27 amKennard has NOT chosen the path previously traveled by the Miller brothers from Desert Vista to ASU. According to USCFootball.com and a number of other sources, he’s going to USC. It looks like ASU wasn’t even a serious option.
From USCFootball.com: “All three schools, USC, Texas and Cal offered a great education, and education is something I take seriously. SC has a great business school and I want to get a degree that will help me provide for my family after football. I know, especially with this injury, that football can be taken away anytime.”
Video: Chase Budinger will Not be Stepped On, Thank You
January 26th, 2009 at 8:40 amColeman claimed yesterday that the step was unintentional. Not sure I buy it, but here it is …
“I never meant to step on him. I have never been in an incident like this before, and I have nothing but respect for him as a great player. I love the game too much to do something like that intentionally. I want to say I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I know that God knows what is in my heart, but I am hopeful that Chase will understand and forgive.”
New Football Commit "Still so Raw, It's a Little Scary. His Upside is Tremendous."
January 26th, 2009 at 8:36 am@Jake, Germany never made it into the program. Not sure where he is now. Here’s what ESPN said last August:
“Germany hasn’t sufficiently fulfilled requirements set forth by coach Dennis Erickson and the school to join the team, according to an athletic department official.”
Analysis: How the Sun Devils Survived a 3-Game Road Trip from Hell
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 amTy’s definitely struggled this season, even before the thumb injury.
Glasser shot 6-for-22 on the trip and had six turnovers against USC. He went turnover-less against UCLA and hit some big shots in both wins. I’d rather have him than Jason Braxton.
Road Back to the White House: 5 Sun Devils Leading the Way
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 amA couple quick notes on track: The sixth-ranked women are coming off back-to-back indoor titles. Only LSU (1993-97) has won three or more in a row. Meanwhile, the second-ranked men are coming off first indoor title in history. Greg Kraft seems to have this program on cruise control!
Arizona State University's Top 10 Non-Sports Accomplishments of 2008
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 am@David, QUESTION: Are you suggesting ASU cap enrollment to ensure a higher level of students attend? If so, where do you see prospective students who come up short pursuing a higher education in this state?