ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL

Sendek: Depth, free throws concerns for ASU

Dec 18, 2012, 9:27 PM | Updated: 9:51 pm

There’s very little doubt that the 2012-13 version of the Arizona State men’s basketball team is better than the version that was marched out on the court during the two previous seasons.

ASU is off to a 9-2 start, and as promised, has played a more entertaining, up-tempo brand of basketball. Herb Sendek’s Sun Devils are averaging 75.5 points per game, up from the 61 points per contest they posted a year ago.

With only two games remaining until the beginning of conference play, Sendek does have concerns about his team, with depth being one of them. Only seven players are currently averaging ten or more minutes of playing time. Four of ASU’s five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes per game and the Sun Devils are getting only 6.3 points from their bench over the last three contests.

“Moving forward, it would be great to get at least one more guy involved in that rotation,” Sendek told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 620 Tuesday. “That’s something we’d love to be able to do.”

But who will it be? Senior point guard Chris Colvin was the early-season spark plug, averaging 10.8 points off the bench in Arizona State’s first four contests. But Colvin’s production has tailed off since then; he’s averaging just 3.4 points while shooting .307 from the field in the last seven games.

Arizona State Basketball

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

24 hours ago

Frankie Collins #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives the ball against Pelle Larsson #3 of the ...

David Veenstra

Arizona State basketball guard Frankie Collins to enter transfer portal

Arizona State guard Frankie Collins announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

2 days ago

Darian DeVries...

Associated Press

West Virginia basketball hires Darian DeVries to be new coach after 6 years at Drake

West Virginia tapped Drake coach Darian DeVries on Sunday to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.

4 days ago

Akil Watson defends...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Akil Watson entering transfer portal

Arizona State forward Akil Watson is reportedly planning to enter the transfer portal following a season with the Sun Devils.

7 days ago

Deivon Smith #5 of the Utah Utes handles the ball against Braelon Green #2 of the Arizona State Sun...

Arizona Sports

Arizona State basketball’s Braelon Green heads to transfer portal

Arizona State freshman shooting guard Braelon Green told 247 Sports' Travis Branham he's submitting paperwork to enter the transfer portal.

8 days ago

Jamiya Neal #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils brings the ball up court against the Utah Utes durin...

Kellan Olson

Arizona State guard Jamiya Neal enters transfer portal

Arizona State guard Jamiya Neal announced on Tuesday he is entering the transfer portal after his third season with the Sun Devils.

9 days ago

Sendek: Depth, free throws concerns for ASU