Arizona State 2010 Preview & Predictions

Arizona State Sun Devils Basketball 2010-2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks & Odds

With the College Basketball 2010-2011 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010-2011 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Arizona State Preview Picks, & Odds.

Arizona State 2009-2010 Record: 22-11 overall; 12-6 Pac-10 (2nd)

Arizona State Coach: Herb Sendek – At Arizona State: 76-56, 4 years; overall: 330-214, 17 years

Arizona State Players to Watch: ASU uncovered a local recruiting gem in Ty Abbott, a shooting star whose big games last season included 29 points (7 of 9 3-pointers) and 12 rebounds against Stanford. ASU has too many shooters for defenses to focus solely on Abbott.

Arizona State Key Losses: Derek Glasser, G, 6-1,190 (10.1 ppg, 4.8 apg); Eric Boateng, C, 6-10, 257 (8.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

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2010-2011 Arizona State Season Preview

Arizona State didn’t just fade away after James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph left the scene following the 2008-09 season. So, the Sun Devils definitely won’t be sliding off the cliff after losing Derek Glasser and Eric Boateng. Herb Sendek’s program seems to be on consistently solid ground now. Over the past three seasons, ASU is 34 games over .500 overall and 10 games over .500 in Pac-10 play, including a 12-6 mark last season. ASU managed only one NCAA Tournament appearance in that span – falling in the second round in 2009 – so there is still more work to be done. Part of that is upgrading the nonconference schedule; road games at New Mexico, Baylor and Nevada, as well as a home game against Richmond, will help the strength of schedule this time around. With only five returning scholarship players and seven newcomers, ASU is getting younger and the recruits will help transform the Sun Devils into a longer and more athletic team. That could make him think about revving up his team’s deliberate pace, although don’t expect him to change his now-entrenched matchup zone defense.

Arizona State Backcourt

The backcourt will be the Sun Devils’ strength. Glasser is gone after setting school career records for games, assists and free-throw percentage. ASU played with two point guards in the starting lineup last season; now Jamelle McMillan takes over as the primary ball handler. But for as much as he will be counted on to be an offensive threat and another long-range shooter in a bombs-away attack, his defense at the point of attack in the zone is a critical element to ASU’s success. Senior Ty Abbott, entering his fourth season as a starter, overcame a sophomore shooting slump and a preseason knee injury before his junior year to become a major threat. He’s not shy about launching – 566 3-pointers in three seasons at 35.2 percent – but he’s also developed into a well-rounded player. ASU is going to need a smattering of newcomers in the rotation. The Sun Devils have the personnel to continue to use small three-guard lineups, including sophomore Trent Lockett, freshman Keala King and freshman Corey Hawkins.

Arizona State Frontcourt

Senior forward Rihards Kuksiks was ASU’s leading scorer last season at 12.1 points per ·game, and he’s been a fixture from beyond the 3-point line. Consider this: 73.5 percent of his 706 shots from the field have been 3-point attempts. Good news for ASU is that he has made 40.5 percent of those 3-balls. Kuksiks is no one’s idea of a power forward, and it’s up front where the questions about the Sun Devils begin. At center last season, Boateng had moments of brilliance and set an ASU record by hitting 66.5 percent of his shots. Boateng takes with him 28 percent of the team’s offensive rebounding from last season. Sophomore Ruslan Pateev is a 7-footer who played in 20 games last season. Beyond Pateev, how much can ASU get out of freshman big men Jordan Bachynski and Kyle Cain?

2010-2011 Arizona State Predictions

The lack of an inside game might be Arizona State’s undoing, but the strong backcourt and multiple 3-point threats once again make the Sun Devils a tough out, especially in a league that appears vulnerable. Winning a few of those important early season games should be key to getting into position for an NCAA Tournament bid. Arizona State Finish in the PAC-10: 4th

Arizona State Betting Odds

Arizona State Odds to Win 2010-2011 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +10000
Arizona State Odds to Win the PAC-10: +500

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Arizona State Basketball Handicapping Picks

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