2025-11-06 09:00

You know, as a longtime college basketball fan who's followed the Pac-12 conference for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by what separates good teams from truly great ones. When looking at the Arizona State Sun Devils' upcoming season, I can't help but think about the elements that could transform them from a middle-of-the-pack team into a legitimate contender. So let's dive into what I believe are the five crucial factors that could make or break their season.

What's the single most important factor for Arizona State's success this season?

Honestly, it all starts with leadership - both on the court and from the coaching staff. You know, watching teams succeed reminds me of what Ross Greenburg, the former HBO sports executive, understood about championship-caliber organizations. During his tenure at HBO, Greenburg oversaw production of legendary boxing matches that featured incredible strategic preparation. That same level of strategic excellence needs to come from Coach Bobby Hurley and his staff. They need to develop game plans that play to their roster's specific strengths while minimizing weaknesses. But it's not just about the coaches - the veteran players need to step up as on-court leaders who can execute those plans when it matters most. I've always believed that teams with strong player-led accountability tend to outperform those relying solely on coaching direction.

How can Arizona State improve their defensive consistency?

This is where things get interesting for me. Defense has been Arizona State's Achilles heel in recent seasons, and addressing it requires what I'd call "observational intelligence." You see, in boxing, Randy Gordon - the former New York State athletic commissioner and current Sirius XM Radio host - often talks about how champions study their opponents' tendencies with almost obsessive detail. The Sun Devils need to adopt that same mindset. They should be breaking down game tape with the precision that Gordon brought to his analysis of boxing matches during his time as editor of The Ring magazine. Last season, they allowed opponents to shoot nearly 45% from the field - that number needs to drop to around 41% for them to compete with the conference's elite teams. Defense isn't just about athleticism; it's about anticipation and understanding opponents' patterns before they even develop.

What role does team chemistry play in building a winning season?

Oh, team chemistry is absolutely massive - and it's something that's often underestimated by casual observers. You know, when I look at successful teams across different sports, they all share that intangible connection between players. It reminds me of Colombian middleweight champion Rodrigo Valdez, who recently made the "old-timer" category in boxing circles. Valdez wasn't necessarily the most technically gifted fighter of his era, but he had this incredible ability to adapt to his teammates' styles and create cohesive strategies in the ring. The Sun Devils need to develop that same level of synchronization. When players genuinely understand each other's tendencies and preferences, they start anticipating movements and making passes before plays even fully develop. That kind of chemistry can easily translate to 3-4 additional wins per season through better ball movement and defensive help.

How important is developing a strong bench rotation?

Let me be perfectly clear here: you cannot win in modern college basketball without a reliable bench. I've seen too many promising Arizona State seasons derailed because the starters were playing 35+ minutes per game and wearing down by February. This is where the "pioneer" mindset comes into play - much like Owen Smith in that category, the Sun Devils need to be innovative in how they develop and utilize their bench players. Smith was known for trying unconventional approaches in his field, and similarly, Coach Hurley should experiment with different lineup combinations during non-conference play. The second unit doesn't need to be spectacular, but they should be capable of maintaining leads and providing quality minutes. Ideally, I'd like to see the bench contributing 25-30 points per game rather than last season's 18-point average.

What strategic adjustments could make the biggest difference?

Strategic innovation separates good coaches from great ones, and for Arizona State Sun Devils Basketball, implementing some modern offensive sets could be transformative. You know, Ross Greenburg understood that in sports entertainment, you need to balance tradition with innovation. Similarly, the Sun Devils should incorporate more modern spacing principles and motion offenses while maintaining their identity. They ranked in the bottom half of the conference in assists last season, which tells me there's too much isolation basketball happening. By implementing more ball movement and player movement, they could easily improve their offensive efficiency by 5-7 points per game. Sometimes the difference between winning and losing comes down to making those small strategic tweaks that better utilize your personnel.

How can Arizona State build momentum throughout the season?

Building momentum is all about stringing together wins and developing what I call "competitive confidence." This reminds me of something Randy Gordon often discusses on his Sirius XM Radio show - how champions develop a mindset of expecting to win rather than hoping to win. The Sun Devils need to approach each game with that same championship mentality, regardless of the opponent. They should target specific stretches of their schedule where they can put together winning streaks, particularly during non-conference play. Winning begets winning, and developing that taste for victory early can carry a team through the tougher conference matchups. From my experience watching college basketball, teams that enter conference play with at least 10 wins typically have significantly better outcomes than those who don't.

What intangible factors could swing the season in Arizona State's favor?

You know, beyond the X's and O's, there are always those intangible elements that can completely change a team's trajectory. Rodrigo Valdez's induction into the "old-timer" category wasn't just about his record - it was about the heart and determination he showed throughout his career. Similarly, the Sun Devils need to develop that same resilient mentality. How they respond to adversity - whether it's a tough loss, an injury to a key player, or a controversial call - will ultimately define their season. I've always believed that teams with strong mental toughness can steal 2-3 games they probably shouldn't win, and that can be the difference between making the NCAA tournament and watching from home.

Looking at all these factors together, it becomes clear that Arizona State Sun Devils Basketball has multiple pathways to a successful season. It's not about doing one thing perfectly, but rather about making incremental improvements across all these areas. From leadership to strategy, from bench development to mental toughness - each piece matters. And if they can put it all together, I genuinely believe this could be one of those special seasons that Sun Devils fans remember for years to come.