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Arizona State Seeks Rebound Win Against UMass
Arizona State will look to return to its winning ways when it faces UMass on Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Mass.
Arizona State Aims to Bounce Back
The Sun Devils (8-2) had their six-game win streak snapped in an 83-66 loss to then-No. 9 Florida on Dec. 14 in Atlanta. Arizona State struggled against the Gators’ physicality, particularly on the boards, as it was outrebounded 47-27.
“They were very physical and very aggressive,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. “We weren’t ready for it.”
Rebounding has been an issue for the Sun Devils in their two losses this season. In an 88-80 defeat to then-No. 6 Gonzaga earlier in the year, Arizona State was outrebounded 38-29.
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Arizona State boasts a balanced offensive attack, with five players averaging double figures in scoring. Leading the way is Joson Sanon with 14.8 points per game, followed by Basheer Jihad (13.3), Alston Mason (11.4), BJ Freeman (11.3), and Adam Miller (10.3).
On the glass, Jayden Quaintance has been a standout, averaging a team-high eight rebounds per game. Mason also leads the Sun Devils in assists with 3.2 per contest.
UMass Looks to Extend Winning Streak
The Minutemen (5-7) have won two straight games, but shooting remains a glaring weakness. UMass missed 12 of 31 free-throw attempts in a 77-72 victory over Northeastern on Wednesday, and the team is shooting just 62.6 percent from the foul line this season. Additionally, UMass has struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 26 percent of its 3-point attempts.
Jaylen Curry has been the bright spot offensively, scoring a team-high 14.3 points per game. Curry connected on four 3-pointers en route to a 24-point performance against Northeastern, leading five UMass players who scored in double figures.
“That’s how I like the game played,” UMass coach Frank Martin said of the balanced offensive effort. “A hard team to defend is when that ball doesn’t stop moving, and you don’t know where the shots are coming from.”
Daniel Rivera has been UMass’ most reliable rebounder, averaging 7.3 boards per game, while Curry leads in assists with 4.6 per game.
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Keys to the Game
- Rebounding Battle: Arizona State’s struggles on the boards have been costly in its two losses. UMass will need to capitalize on this weakness with Rivera leading the way.
- Shooting Efficiency: Both teams have room for improvement. UMass must shoot better from the free-throw line and beyond the arc, while Arizona State needs to convert its scoring opportunities efficiently.
- Balanced Offense: Both teams rely on multiple contributors to share the scoring load. Whichever team executes its game plan more effectively could gain the upper hand.
What to Watch
Arizona State will aim to prove it can bounce back after a physical loss, while UMass looks to build on its recent success despite ongoing shooting woes. With contrasting styles and a neutral-court setting, this matchup could come down to effort on the boards and execution in key moments.
