What's Happening?
Arizona State University's men's basketball team, led by coach Bobby Hurley, faced a significant setback after a narrow 78-75 loss to Oregon State. This defeat, classified as a quadrant four loss, has caused the team to drop from 57th to 84th in the NCAA NET rankings. Such losses are considered detrimental to a team's tournament resume, as evidenced by Arizona State's near-miss in the 2022-23 season due to a similar loss. Despite this setback, the Sun Devils have shown strength in quadrant two games, maintaining a 4-0 record with victories over teams like Texas, Oklahoma, and Santa Clara. As they prepare to enter Big 12 play, the team faces a challenging schedule with opportunities to secure season-defining wins against higher-ranked opponents.
Why It's Important?
The drop in rankings poses a threat to Arizona State's chances of securing an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. Quadrant four losses are particularly damaging as they reflect poorly on a team's overall performance and can overshadow previous successes. The upcoming Big 12 games are crucial for the Sun Devils to improve their standing and demonstrate their capability against stronger teams. Success in these games could enhance their tournament profile, while further losses could jeopardize their postseason aspirations. The team's ability to navigate this challenging period will be pivotal in determining their season's outcome.
What's Next?
Arizona State will begin their Big 12 conference play on January 3 against Colorado. This marks the start of a demanding schedule that includes road games against formidable opponents like BYU, Arizona, and Houston. The team must capitalize on these opportunities to secure victories that could elevate their NET ranking. Additionally, avoiding further losses to lower-ranked teams such as Utah, Cincinnati, and West Virginia is essential to maintain their tournament hopes. The performance in these upcoming games will be critical in shaping the Sun Devils' path to the NCAA tournament.
