- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
ASU Basketball: Women’s Basketball Roundtable
- Updated: January 6, 2017
With Pac-12 play off and running, the women’s basketball coverage team talks about ASU basketball’s turnaround, keys for Pac-12 play and offer predictions.
Arizona State enter the second weekend of Pac-12 play with an overall record of 10-3 and a 1-1 in Pac-12 play.
The Sun Devils struggled out of the gates beginning the season 2-2, including a 41-point loss to the hands of Maryland in Las Vegas.
That game was a wake-up call for Arizona State and that haven’t looked back since as they went on to win seven games in a row before falling to Stanford last Friday.
They bounced back Sunday with a double-overtime victory over California. It showed ASU’s resiliency as they were able to match Cal bucket-for-bucket.
The senior class of Sophie Brunner, Quin Dornstauder and Kelsey Moos look to carry the Sun Devils deeper this season after disappointingly losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
Arizona State have Utah, Colorado and Washington State next up before entering a brutal stretch versus the top teams in the Pac-12 conference.
It’s essential Sun Devils to pick up victories at home and in games in which they are favored because of the depth and level of competition in the Pac-12.
There are three questions that surround the women’s basketball team at the moment. What was the key to Arizona State’s turnaround from their 2-2 start, what are the keys for the Sun Devils to succeed in Pac-12 play and predictions for how the ladies will fare in the Pac-12.
You will read the thoughts of Sam Ficarro, Jordan Kaye, Gigi Micketti and Leah Soto.
Without further ado, the first topic of discussion.
1. Since the 83-42 loss versus Maryland, Arizona State have won eight of nine games. What has been the biggest reason for their turnaround?
Sam: The biggest reason for their turnaround has been the growth of the freshman players. Arizona State’s highly-touted recruiting class has had some growing plays, but they are starting to become more and more comfortable. Reili Richardson, who became the starting point guard after fellow freshman Kiara Russell suffered an injury, has done a great job running the offense, setting up the post players and driving into the paint. Richardson gives ASU a speed aspect they have not had in past years. Freshmen guard Robbi Ryan has also provided stout defense and some offensive production coming off the bench.
Jordan: They have gotten back to the basics by getting the ball down low to their experienced players for higher percentage shots. It is taking pressure off the young guards and frees them up for easy shots later in the game. They are making the opponent’s defense work so hard to defend them, that by the fourth quarter ASU has wore them down and can easily pull away. To go along with that, coach …
