What's Happening?
Arizona State University's men's basketball team, under head coach Bobby Hurley, has experienced a setback in their NCAA tournament aspirations following a recent loss to Oregon State. This defeat is categorized
as a quadrant four loss, which is typically detrimental to a team's tournament chances. Despite a strong start to the season with four quadrant two victories against teams like Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, and Santa Clara, the Sun Devils have been moved from the 'last four in' to the 'first four out' category in ESPN's Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology update. The team is now tasked with navigating a challenging Big 12 schedule, where they will face several potential tournament teams, including UCF, Baylor, and Oklahoma State.
Why It's Important?
The recent loss has significant implications for Arizona State's chances of making it to the NCAA tournament. Quadrant four losses are seen as major setbacks, and overcoming them requires strong performances in subsequent games. The Sun Devils' ability to secure a spot in the tournament will depend heavily on their performance in the upcoming Big 12 games. Achieving 18 or 19 wins is considered necessary for a confident at-large bid. The team's performance not only affects their immediate tournament prospects but also impacts the program's reputation and recruitment potential. A successful season could enhance the team's visibility and attract more talent in the future.
What's Next?
Arizona State must focus on securing victories in their remaining games, particularly against conference rivals like Texas Tech and BYU, to strengthen their tournament bid. The team has opportunities to improve their standing with upcoming matches against other bubble teams. Success in these games could potentially turn some of their quadrant two victories into quadrant one wins, further bolstering their case for selection. The team's ability to perform under pressure in the Big 12 schedule will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.
