The Arizona State men’s basketball team had two games to get its feet wet, with coach Bobby Hurley fielding a roster with 14 newcomers. Now comes the first true test as the Sun Devils (2-0) square off against No. 19 Gonzaga (3-0).
The teams played last season in Spokane, with the Bulldogs prevailing, 88-80.
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“They’re a really good team,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said, of one of the top programs for the last two decades. “Well-coached. Their front court is outstanding. They do a good job of getting those guys the ball in a good position. They’re a physical team, so they’re really good.”
There are some familiar faces on the opposing team. Adam Miller, who played the previous two seasons at ASU, is spending his final year of eligibility at Gonzaga. Tyon Grant-Foster, who was at Grand Canyon for two years, also plays at Gonzaga after winning a court injunction to be able to play this season.
Gonzaga is the fourth school for each of those players.
Let’s take a closer look at the contest.
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Gonzaga (3-0) at Arizona State (2-0)
Time: Nov. 14, 9 p.m. MST
Site: Desert Financial Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN2/Arizona Sports 98.7.
About the Bulldogs: Gonzaga has posted quality wins over Texas Southern (98-43), Oklahoma (84-68), and No. 23 Creighton (90-63). It has five players averaging double figures, including Miller (10.7 ppg) and Grant-Foster (11.3 ppg). The team’s marquee player is 6-foot-9 forward Graham Ike (17.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg), who scored 20 and had 10 rebounds in the most recent win.
About the Sun Devils: ASU has posted double-digit wins over Southern Utah and Utah Tech. Sophomore Santiago Trouet, a transfer from San Diego, is coming off a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The team’s star has been 7-1 freshman center Massamba Diop (16 ppg, 5.5 rpg). Anthony Johnson (12 ppg), F Allen Mukeba (10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and PG Moe Odum (11.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 7 apg) are also averaging double figures.
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Injury report: Players who will be out for ASU include junior G Vijay Wallace (out for the season), sophomore G Noah Meeusen, senior G Adante Holiman and freshman F Jovan Icitovic.
They said it: “I’m a human being, so it’s going to be a little weird, you know, seeing him (Miller) in a different jersey, having coached him for a couple of years. He gave the program everything he had and never cheated us of anything. I’m always rooting for him, obviously, for this year, outside of this game. He’s a really good player. I think he fits their team and their personnel very well, and he’s a good piece in their puzzle.” – ASU coach Bobby Hurley on Adam Miller being at Gonzaga
“Their intensity from the jump ball is super high. Even their bench is into it. They have a crowd everywhere they go, so it’s just super hard to really beat them five because you’re not just playing those five, you’re playing their coaching staff, the people on the bench, playing the fans. So just telling my teammates basketball is a game of runs and no matter what it is, ups and downs, we got to stay together.” – ASU point guard Moe Odum, who played against Gonzaga while at Pepperdine
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No. 19 Gonzaga next opponent for ASU men’s basketball team
