Arizona State surges in Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings: 'Might just be for real'
The Arizona State men's basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the Pac-12 men's basketball preseason poll.
It has easily surpassed those expectations so far this season.
The Sun Devils, at 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12, currently have the best record in the conference.
College basketball writers raved about Bobby Hurley's team and what it has done so far this season in recent Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings.
More:Arizona State basketball uses strong non-conference schedule to boost profile
Corvallis Gazette-Times: ASU basketball up to No. 4 in Pac-12 power rankings
Jesse Sowa wrote: Arizona State men’s basketball might just be for real. Monday’s win against a quality Creighton team in Las Vegas, coupled with a neutral-site win against Michigan and a victory at Colorado, could make some believe that the Sun Devils have found something. Have coach Bobby Hurley and the ASU program actually turned the corner or is their 10-1 record just fool’s gold? We’ll find out soon. ASU hosts San Diego (6-5) on Sunday and plays at San Francisco (8-3) next week before returning to the bulk of the conference schedule at home against ninth-ranked Arizona (8-1) on New Year’s Eve. Arizona State last reached the NCAA tournament in 2019, Hurley’s fourth season in Tempe, and had a shot to make it in 2020 had a bracket been contested. A current NET ranking of 26 (as of Tuesday) has the Sun Devils well within reach of another trip after a combined record of 25-31 the past two seasons."
247 Sports: Arizona State basketball up to No. 3 in Pac-12
Raymond Lucas Jr. wrote: "Aside from the loss to Texas Southern, Arizona State has been an issue for its foes. The Sun Devils lone defeat came seven games ago and they racked up victories over the likes of Michigan and Creighton. ASU dives into its uninterrupted conference slate after battles with Californian foes San Diego and San Francisco. DJ Horne leads the Sun Devils in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game. It’s still weeks away, but Arizona State’s clash with Arizona on Dec. 31 is garnering heightened interest by the day."
More:Arizona State basketball overcomes foul trouble to slip past Creighton
Ducks Wire: Arizona State ranked No. 3 in Pac-12
Andy Patton wrote before ASU's win over Creighton: "Arizona State’s seven game winning streak includes wins over Michigan, Colorado, Stanford, and SMU – and they remain a one point loss to Texas Southern away from being one of the few undefeated teams remaining in college hoops. Bobby Hurley’s squad has a huge challenge in front of them against Creighton on Monday. A win there vaults this team into legitimate Top 25 conversation."
Super West Sports: Sun Devils up to No. 3 in Pac-12 Conference
Stephen Vilardo wrote: "This is an Arizona State team that is now 17-3 in their last 20 games dating back to last season. Their 10-1 mark after defeating Creighton 73-71 is ASU’s best 11-game start since 2017-18. The Sun Devils have limited opponents to 25.8% on three-pointers this season, the seventh-best mark in the country. Arizona State is allowing opponents to score just 59.8 points per game this season, the 19th-best mark in the country. The Devils’ shooting defense entering the Creighton game was 34.4%, fifth best in America."
CBB Review: Arizona State ranked No. 3 in Pac-12 power rankings
Joe Jackson wrote: "Arizona State just continues to win, picking up a road victory over SMU and a big-time win over Creighton. Arizona State has a plethora of guys that could be the main contributors on any given night. One thing to note, Arizona State is 5-1 in games decided by 4 points or less, a record that is tough to maintain."
More:Arizona basketball teams facing ranked tests this week
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pac-12 basketball power rankings: Arizona State surges with hot start
