Preview: Arizona State at Cincinnati

In serious need of a win following four consecutive losses, Cincinnati (11-5, 1-4 Big 12) dug deep over the final four minutes of Wednesday's 68-62 win over Colorado. 

 

The Bearcats made their final four field goal attempts, including two clutch three's by Simas Lukosius, and also went 8-for-8 from the free throw line over the final 1:04.

 

(Photo: Ron Chenoy/ Imagn Images)

 

"It had been a tough start for both us and Colorado the last couple of weeks. I'm proud of our guys for finding a way and staying together," Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller said following the game.  "We had a lot of guys contribute. Our depth was a big factor. Colorado did a nice job getting back in the game with a couple of over-the-tops to capitalize on our defensive errors. It was nice to see us pull out a close game on the road, something we hadn't been able to do the last couple of weeks."

 

 

Cincinnati will try to carry that momentum and shot making over to Saturday's match up against Arizona State (10-6, 1-4 Big 12)  inside Fifth Third Arena.

 

 

Bobby Hurley's squad defeated the same Colorado team (81-61) on January 4th, but enter Saturday riding a three-game losing streak following losses to Kansas (74-55), Baylor (72-66), and UCF (95-89).

 

 

The Sun Devils are 91st in offensive efficiency, 50th in  defensive efficiency, and rank 64th in Kenpom and 60th in the NET Ratings. 

 

 

In games ASU has lost, rebounding and defense have been the two primary contributing factors. In their most recent loss, UCF guard Keyshawn Hall finished with 40 points on 13-of-18 shooting. UCF shot 50.8% from the field and 46.2% from the 3-point line. 

 

In their losses to Kansas and Baylor, they were out-rebounded by 11 and 8. 

 

 

Offensively, the Sun Devils have scored 80 points or more nine times through 16 games this season. ASU is 7-2 when reaching the 80-point mark.

 

Despite the defensive struggles during stretches of this season, Arizona State is third in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally averaging 5.1 blocks per game. UC ranks 35th nationally at 4.9 blocks per game. Colorado finished with nine blocks against Cincinnati on Wednesday as Bangot Dak had eight of those nine. 

 

 

Following the loss to UCF, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley described the disappointment of scoring 89 points and playing well offensively, but still coming up short.

 

"It's just frustrating because we've been a top 30 defense most of the year and I feel like a dam that has holes in it. One day the offense isn't showing up for a period of the game or in this case we couldn't stop them from scoring. We've been doing that pretty well for most of the season and we had a good night on offense for the most part. Maybe a couple of bad turnovers, but that's why I feel pretty good about how we played. We just didn't win."

 

Following the win over Colorado, the Bearcats are seventh in scoring defense at 60.6 ppg, 21st in field goal percentage (39.0) and second in three-point defense (26.9). The Bearcats are also seventh defensively in KenPom.

 

 

Arizona State by the numbers:

 

• Effective FG %: 52.9 (98th)
• Turnover %: 18.6 (249th)
• Offensive Reb %: (27.3 (262nd)
• 3p % : 37.1 (45th)
• 2p % : 50.9 (175th)
• FT% : 71.1 (209th)
• Def Block % : 13.7 (28th)
• Steal % : 11.3 (318th)
• Def Non Steal TO % : 8.8 (69th)
• ASU scores 36.2 % of their points from deep (71st), 43.8% of their points from two (329th), and 20.1 % of their points from the free throw line (127th).

 

 

Players to Know:

 

6'6" Sr G BJ Freeman (13.3 pts, 2.6 ast, 4.2 reb)

A transfer guard from Milwaukee, who was an All-Horizon League Second Team selection and a Top 20 scorer in the Division I ranks last season, Freeman has embraced the role of being a go-to scorer for the Sun Devils.

 

The North Carolina native averaged 21.1 points last year, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 42.2% shooting, and 35.5% from 3-point, as well as 82.4% from the free throw line. Freeman is coming off a season high 26-point performance against UCF and scored 22 against Baylor in the game prior. 

 

Freeman is a decent athlete and has shown the ability to score at all three levels, while also being a solid defender and rebounder as a big wing. Over his past five games, Freeman has made 15-of-34 three-point attempts. Freeman has finished with 10+ points in 13 games this season. 

 

 

6'5" Joson Sanon (12.8 pts, 3.2 rbs, 1.2 ast)

 

It's unclear if Sanon will play Saturday against the Bearcats. The freshman guard is currently making 47.2% of his field goal attempts and leads the team in three-point shooting (47.5%), but has been held out three of the last four games after suffering an ankle injury in Arizona State's 76-56 loss to BYU on December 31st.

 

A former five-star prospect, Sanon has been one of the best freshmen in the country, currently leading the Big 12 in scoring per game by a freshman, and is second in the Big 12 shooting 47.5% (29-of-61) from three-point range this season. Sanon is 26th nationally among freshman (15th Power 4 + Big East) in points per game. 

 

Not having Sanon would obviously be a big blow to an already short Sun Devil rotation. The 6'5" guard is highly skilled and a confident scorer that has shown the ability to create his own shot or capitalize on catch-and-shoot opportunities while also getting to the rim with his quickness.

 

 

6'9" Sr F Basheer Jihad (12.6 pts, 5.9 rbs, 1.6 ast)

 

Jihad is in year one with ASU following an All-MAC Second Team selection last season with Ball State. The senior forward is a versatile defender that has the ability to defend multiple positions with his length and athleticism, while also being active around the rim and on the glass.

 

Jihad averaged 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds last season at Ball State and has seven games this season with 15 or more points. He was just shy of a double-double against UCF, finishing with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists. 

 

 

6'2" Sr G Alston Mason (11.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.6 ast)

 

Mason was named an All-MVC Third Team selection last season at Missouri State, following a season that saw him rank third in The Valley in scoring at 17.6 points per game. Mason made 68 3-pointers, also finishing with 102 assists and 23 steals on the season.

After averaging 8 ppg against BYU and Colorado to open Big 12 play, Mason has scored 19, 14, and 15 points in the last three games against Kansas, Baylor, and UCF. Mason leads the team in assists per game and has also been the most consistent free throw shooter (80.4%).

 

 

6'9" Fr C Jayden Quaintance (9.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 1.8 ast)

 

Another former five-star prospect, Quaintance is currently the only player in the nation averaging at least 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks. With 49 blocks and 20 steals, he is the only player in the country with 45+ blocks, 20+ steals. He is second nationally among freshmen in rebounds per game and has the third most rebounds in the Big 12 by any player.

 

Quaintance is a big-time player with potential to hear his name as a lottery pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. He makes his presence known in the paint at both ends of the floor and attacks the rim with aggression. He has 10+ rebounds in six games this season and is coming off a season-high 20 point effort against UCF.

 

 

6'3" RS-Sr G Adam Miller (9.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.3 ast)

 

Miller has been one of the most consistent shooters on the team, converting 43.8% from the field, 44.9% from three, and 76.7% from the free throw line. Miller has made 10-of-23 shots from deep over the last four games. 

 

His best game of the season came against Florida on December 14th, scoring 18 points while making 3-of-5 from three and 5-of-6 free throws. The Peoria, IL native spent one season at Illinois to begin his career, then transferred to LSU for year two, prior to spending the last two seasons under Bobby Hurley. Miller is primarily known as being an athletic, skilled guard that can make an impact both on and off the ball as a playmaker. 

 

Other Key Reserves:

 

6'8" Fr G/F Amier Ali (4.5 pts, 1.8 rbs)

 

Former top-100 recruit with good positional size and mobility to stretch a defense. Has struggled from deep, making 30.6% of his attempts. Scored 10 points against Colorado. 

 

 

7'0 Jr C Shawn Phillips Jr (3.3 pts, 3.8 reb)

 

Dayton native that is converting 54.3% of his field goal attempts. Scored 7 points in ASU's most recent game against UCF.

 

 

Final Thoughts:

 

ASU primarily plays a seven-man rotation and that depth could be hindered even more if Sanon is out again with the ankle injury. Bobby Hurley's team ranks 10th in the Big 12 at 75.7 points per game, and are 14th in the league in points given up per game (72.7).

 

Not a great defensive team, but they have shown an ability to be explosive offensively at times during the season. 

 

 

The difference in style between the two teams and what they do well is evident when you look at the stats in Big 12 play.

 

The Bearcats lead the league in three-point defense (26.9%), while ASU is third in the Big 12, making 37% of their attempts

 

ASU isn't a great offensive rebounding team, but rank sixth in the Big 12 in defensive rebounds. Cincinnati ranks top five in offensive rebounding. Dan Skillings (21) and Aziz Bandaogo (47) have combined for 68 offensive rebounds. Bandaogo averaged 5.3 rebounds during non-conference but is up to 8.0 rebounds per game in Big 12 play after a season-high 10 rebounds against Colorado. 

 

Arizona State has struggled to take care of the ball at times (13.3 to/gm) so it will be interesting to see how much Wes Miller tries to speed ASU up to try to turn their defense in to offense and points in transition. 

 

UC showed improvement in terms of offensive consistency during stretches against Colorado but still had multiple segments where they went four minutes or longer without a field goal. Colorado started the game 1-of-14 from the field against UC and the Bearcats will need to have another strong start at both ends of the court to set the tone early.

 

Cincinnati enters as a 10.5 point favorite.

 

How to Watch:

 

2:00 CBS Sports Network