(Photo: Noah Findling/WCSN)
Coming off a six-day break in between games while in the middle a college football-like schedule, Arizona State is facing a familiar foe in Texas Tech Saturday night in Tempe, Ariz. at Wells Fargo Arena.
Last year, ASU beat Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas 77-62 with a standout game by then-sophomore forward Jonathan Gilling who had a career-high six three-pointers and 18 points.
Texas Tech leads the series between the two teams 22-20, but the Sun Devils have won the past five meetings.
Facing Texas Tech (7-4) squad lead by former Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith, the Sun Devils (9-2) won their last game 97-55, against Grambling in a blowout win lead by junior college transfer Shaquielle McKissic’s 19 points off the bench in just 19 minutes.
A huge positive for ASU was its scoring abilities and defensive stops, scoring a season-high 52 points in the first half while shooting 20 of 31 from the field in the first half, while simultaneously holding Grambling to shooting 11 of 32 from the field.
The offense in the field half for ASU was fueled by sophomore point guard Jahii Carson and Penn State senior transfer Jermaine Marshall who combined had 26 points.
Senior center Jordan Bachynski continued his standout season with 14 rebounds in the first half alone.
Both the on-point shooting of Marshall and McKissic and the rebounding abilities of Bachynski will be needed in Saturday’s game if ASU should go on to take control.
Texas Tech lost its last game 71-69 to LSU on Wednesday night at home in Lubbock, Texas. Lead behind LSU’s junior guard Anthony Hickey’s 16 points and four 3-pointers, the Red Raiders couldn’t manage to get it done late in the fourth quarter.
Texas Tech had its chance with 10.2 seconds left to go in the game to win it or at least tie and go into overtime, but a botched play left the Red Raiders with another tally in the loss column.
Texas Tech was 16 of 44 shooting from the field and converted 31 of 39 free throws.
Keys to Victory:
1. Quick Start
Jumping out early and holding on during the beginning of the second half— ASU needs to be able to get a quick start, whether that be Carson taking control early or Marshall or McKissic getting minutes in and contributing. ASU has had a tough time playing when down and so it’s critical that their field goal percentage stays high and that they stay in their comfort zone while taking shots and not try to force anything early.
2. Get Involved Early
Someone besides Carson and Bachynski need to get involved and stay involved— Last game it was McKissic who was the standout for ASU, this game someone similar needs to be able to do the same. Carson will always be there to dish out assists and score, but he can’t do it all. ASU needs that one-two punch to successfully take care of business at home.
3. Attack the paint
Texas Tech managed 18 points in the paint, but also gave up 26 points to LSU. Key for ASU is to attack the paint with Bachynski and driving layups with Carson. If ASU can successfully be a big presence down low and shoot lights out from the three-point arc, ASU will have a good chance of winning this game.
Prediction:
Texas Tech is good at getting to the free throw line and drawing fouls, so ASU has to be wary of fouling, especially still adjusting to the rule change. Unless Texas Tech gets an early lead on ASU and manages to slow down the tempo of the game, I see ASU winning easily, 86-68.
