(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devil men’s basketball team got its first taste of game action Saturday in its exhibition against Western New Mexico. ASU jumped out to a big lead and never looked back, thrashing the Mustangs to the tune of a 102-34 win.
Though it was just an exhibition, there were expectations for each player to perform well, and the JUCO transfers delivered. Junior forward Obinna Oleka from Manatee-Sarasota College in Florida was the star of the game finishing with a solid 18 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Andre Spight from South Plains College in Texas complimented him with 15 points and five rebounds of his own. Spight also went 2-for-3 from behind the arc, providing a much-needed three-point threat after the Sun Devils lost its top-three long-range shooters from last season.
Under the basket, ASU dominated Western New Mexico outrebounding them 61-28. Senior Willie Atwood and sophomore JUCO transfer Maurice O’Field were monsters on the glass, combining for 20 rebounds. From the opening tip, the Sun Devils controlled the boards and built most of their 54-8 halftime lead with easy layups after missed shots.
ASU was not too shabby on defense either, allowing only eight points in the first half. After a jumper by Western New Mexico’s Carter Aby with 13:57 left in the first, the Mustangs did not score again until the 18:06 mark in the second half. ASU held Western New Mexico to an abysmal 16.9 percent shooting from the field for the game.
“We want to try and be aggressive at that end and try and be active. We don’t want a team to feel comfortable playing against us or get in a great rhythm on offense,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said.
That defensive mentality was prevalent throughout the game. The Sun Devils were bandits on the court, swiping the Mustangs 11 times and forcing a total of 14 turnovers. This, combined with six blocks, shows the active persona that Hurley has instilled in his team.
Although Western New Mexico is a Division II team, this game provides a lot of promise for the season to come. Oleka showed lots of talent and sophomore guard Kodi Justice did well with 12 points, two assists, and two rebounds. Justice missed the last half of his freshman season with a fractured bone in his left foot. His presence gave the team energy and a dynamic outside shooting threat.
Takeaways
– While the Sun Devils played excellent on both sides of the ball, they also protected the rock as well. ASU had only six turnovers and O’Field committed four of them. This will be a point of emphasis from Hurley this season. At one point in the second half after an unforced turnover on a fast break by Spight, Hurley yanked him out of the game and spoke to him personally on the bench. This leadership shows Hurley’s commitment to disciplined, mistake-free basketball.
– The new guys will make a huge impact on the team. Oleka, Spight, and O’Field were three of the five best players on the court during the game. They controlled the glass, possession, and made shots when they were open. If they can play anywhere near as well during the season as they did during the exhibition, ASU will be better than most people think.
– The defensive rotations for the Sun Devils were stellar. ASU was swarming around the court and made sure all assignments were accounted for. The Mustangs’ poor shooting was not a product of missed open shots. Almost every attempt was contested and the Sun Devils clogged the paint to stop anything from going through. The hustle and determination shown today should carry on into the future and into conference play.
The Sun Devils will open their season Friday, Nov. 13th at home against the Sacramento State Hornets.
