The Sun Devils used a steady rotation of four young guards last season and each returns. None is a star-caliber player, but with a year of experience together, each should improve.
Junior Derek Glasser handles most of the point-guard duties and provides reliable ballhandling and decision-making. Glasser, who will be a three-year starter, was third in the Pac-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3-to-1) and seventh in assists (3.9 per game). He isn’t much of a shooter or a scorer, but his ability to distribute and create shots for teammates is critical.
Three-point specialists Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks both sophomores are ideal fits for the perimeter-oriented offense that coach Herb Sendek brought to Arizona State two seasons ago. Abbott is extremely dangerous when hot. In two games against California, Abbott hit 15 3-pointers. But Abbott is streaky and shot a pedestrian-like 35.3 percent (76 of 215) from beyond the arc. He needs to bump that number up to around 40 percent. Kuksiks, a native of Latvia, became a starter about midway through Pac-10 play last season and went on to score double-figures in five of six games during one stretch. He needs to do that more consistently and give the Sun Devils about eight to 10 points per game.
Junior Jerren Shipp, who has averaged 25-plus minutes a game the past two seasons, is a solid shooting guard who doesn’t excel in any area but doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses either. Shipp whose brother, Josh, plays at UCLA likely will be the first man off the bench.
Sophomore Jamelle McMillan and freshman Johnny Coy should be part of the rotation as well, giving the Sun Devils a deep backcourt. McMillan, the son of Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, is a savvy, pass-first point guard. Coy is another good 3-point shooter.
Frontcourt
No player may mean more to his team than swingman James Harden. A five-star recruit, Harden arrived in Tempe last season with enormous expectations and may have exceeded them. Harden was fifth in the Pac-10 in scoring and led the league in steals. Harden also finished second on the team in rebounding and assists.
That kind of widespread production would have made Harden a first-round draft pick, but he chose to stay in school and now is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2009 draft. His decision puts the Sun Devils in good position to gain an NCAA Tournament bid. The Sun Devils rely heavily on Harden’s ability to create off the dribble. In his second season in Sendek’s system, Harden should be a little better in every area and could put together an All-American-type season.
Senior Jeff Pendergraph is another vital piece, providing the undersized Sun Devils with an inside presence. Pendergraph led the team in rebounding and was second in scoring and tied for fourth in the Pac-10 in blocks. But Pendergraph does have a history of getting into foul trouble. He needs to do a better job of limiting unnecessary fouls. When he sits, the Sun Devils are at a big disadvantage on the inside.
The only other post player with experience is junior center Eric Boateng, a transfer from Duke. A role player, Boateng will see minutes backing up Pendergraph.
Offense
Similar to the system Sendek used at North Carolina State, the Sun Devils like to work the ball around the arc and shoot a barrage of 3-pointers. They also will mix in some isolation plays for Harden and some pick-and-rolls with Harden and Pendergraph.
Defense
Arizona State may be known as “Syracuse West” soon; the Sun Devils may have used more 2-3 zone than the Orange last season. Man-to-man defense was a rarity. The zone was so effective the Sun Devils ranked third in the Pac-10 by holding opponents to 41 percent from the field that little will change.
Shoes to Fill
Nobody. The Sun Devils return every player who was part of the rotation.
Must Step Up
Boateng. Interior depth has been a weakness in the past. With Pendergraph’s penchant for foul trouble, the Sun Devils will need Boateng to provide some quality minutes.
Impact Newcomer
Boateng. Interior depth has been a weakness in the past. With Pendergraph’s penchant for foul trouble, the Sun Devils will need Boateng to provide some quality minutes.
