Scouting the WSU opponent: Arizona State
Washington State's best chance to get out of the Pac-12 cellar comes when it takes on 11th-place Arizona State at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Cougars lost a tight game against the Sun Devils in Tempe. Since that game, the Sun Devils have lost five of their last six games. Furthermore, it seems likely that Saturday will see the return of center Valentine Izundu, who could have a large impact against an opponent that gets a lot of its shots blocked (see below).
For WSU to win, however, the Cougars are going to need someone to step up besides Ike Iroegbu and Josh Hawkinson.
Here's a look at the Sun Devils:
Record: 12-11, 2-8 Pac-12
Points per game: 76.4
Opponent points per game: 74.0
Field goal percentage: 43.0
3-point percentage: 33.6
Free throw percentage: 70.7
Rebounding margin: +2.2
Steals per game: 5.5
Blocks per game: 3.
And here are some more detailed statistics, courtesy of KenPom.com.
Adjusted efficiency national rank out of 351 schools (offense/defense): 59/105
Adjusted tempo national rank: 145
Average possession length: 17.4 seconds (No. 205 nationally)
Turnover percentage: 17.3 (No. 97)
Offensive rebound percentage: 32.3 (No. 93)
2-point percentage: 48.4 (No. 158)
Block percentage: 8.1 (No. 218)
Get-blocked percentage: 12.7 (No. 339)
FT Rate: 38.5 (No. 135)
Opponent FT rate: 39.0 (No. 220)
So who will win? KenPom gives ASU an 57 percent chance of winning and predicts a final margin of 77-75.
Expected starters:
G: Tra Holder 15.5 ppg, 39.6 3FG%, 3.7 apg
G: Gerry Blakes 10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
F: Willie Atwood 10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 36.5 3FG%
F: Obinna Eleka 9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg
F: Eric Jacobsen 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 55.5 FG%