This week, FanHouse is taking a look at the top teams heading into 2008 with a BlogPoll decided on by our college hoops bloggers. To help with the team capsules, we've brought in some of the top fan bloggers around the internets to give us insights on their teams.The Arizona State Sun Devils have bitterly disappointed on the football field this season. You would think that would have their fans eagerly ready to change the subject to basketball. Their team is on the rise. Expectations are heightened, and rival Arizona is in utter turmoil. Yet, judging by the lack of response from their blogs, it seems to be more akin to fear of expecting a similar season on the hardcourt. So, we'll offer our view.
In two years, Herb Sendek had the Sun Devils just outside of the NCAA Tournament and has expectations raised significantly in Tempe. ASU hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2003. They haven't been ranked in the preseason since 1991. They have never won the Pac-10 and the last time they legitimately made a run at the conference title, Byron Scott was playing for them.
So, year three has some expectations and essentially the unknown for Arizona State. This team returns all five starters and the seven top scorers. In other words, they return an experienced team with depth.
Why they should be ranked here:
This is an experienced bunch that has excellent individual talent in sophomore guard James Harden and senior forward James Pendergraph. Coach Herb Sendek, though, has them playing within the team and a base Princeton offense that rewards patience and passing. They also play a strong defense that held teams to just under 62 points per game.
Outside of Pendergraph, there are no seniors on this team. so there is still plenty of room for the other players to make noticeable improvement. Especially sophomores Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks.
Why they should be ranked higher:
If the talent surrounding Harden and Pendergraph comes together this season, especially in the frontcourt, the Sun Devils can battle UCLA for the Pac-10 title. You know that a Sendek coached team will play defense.
They have two intriguing freshmen in guard Johnny Coy and power forward Taylor Rhode. At the very least, they should improve the depth and athleticism of the squad.
Why they should be ranked lower:
Despite the heightened expectations, the only proven commodities are still Harden and Pendergraph. It is assuming a lot with the surrounding cast and how much they will actually improve. This was still a team that was a bubble NCAA Tournament team last year. It is still a significant jump just to be ranked in the teens.
Under Herb Sendek, his teams at NC State were good and consistent, but never great. ASU has been down a long time, so getting to consistent and good would be a welcome place. That said, expecting big things from a Sendek team can be a dubious proposition.
