ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL

Arizona State coach Herb Sendek: Tra Holder ‘has improved quickly’

Feb 25, 2015, 8:08 PM | Updated: 8:09 pm

Follow @AZSports...

LISTEN: Herb Sendek, head coach ASU basketball

After starting Pac-12 play with an 0-4 record that included three losses of 17 points or more, the thought that Arizona State could make the NCAA Tournament was laughable. But their much improved play of late has the Sun Devils at least in the conversation.

The Sun Devils have won seven of their last 10 games and four of their last five, including an upset over No. 6 Arizona, to level out their Pac-12 mark for the first time this season at 7-7. They currently hold the seventh spot in the conference, but are just one game back of fourth-place Stanford. Coach Herb Sendek told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday that the team hasn’t changed a thing through the good and the bad.

“The guys have honored the process, they’ve stayed with it,” Sendek said. “Our processes are no different today than when we had the Pac-12 season starting losing streak. But even before we were rewarded with some wins, I would be telling our guys we’re getting better, you could see it.”

One player in particular has been a key to their recent success. Tra Holder has scored 10 or more points in six of the last seven games and has averaged five assists per game in that span. Those numbers have been especially important because fellow point guard Kodi Justice was lost for the season with a broken foot on Jan. 27.

“It starts with his character,” Sendek said. “He’s a tremendous young man. He has a great family. He’s a high character guy, so you can tell him the truth. He’s able to take it and respond accordingly, so he’s been very coachable. The other thing is, because he’s a high character guy, he’s been willing to change. In other words, he’s learned what it takes to be successful at this level and he’s put in the work.”

Holder’s season didn’t start out well. He lost his starting role after two games when he had as many turnovers as he did points (5). He went on to start a few games here or there, but didn’t even appear in two games and it looked like his freshman season would be a struggle. He looks completely different now.

“With a great attitude, a terrific work ethic, his foundation being his great character, he has improved quickly as a young player,” Sendek said. “Obviously, he’s a much different and better player than he was in our non-conference, but even if you look back at the beginning of Pac-12 play and fast forward to now, he’s made great progress.”

Arizona State Basketball

Jadrian Tracey...

Associated Press

Oregon captures final Pac-12 Tournament championship with win over Colorado

Oregon secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by defeating Colorado 75-68 on Saturday night, ending the Pac-12 basketball era.

2 days ago

Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley...

Jesse Morrison

State of the Sun Devils podcast: What is the future of Bobby Hurley at Arizona State

On the latest edition of the State of the Sun Devils podcast, the guys discuss the future of ASU men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

3 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

4 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

5 days ago

Utah guard Gabe Madsen (55) fouls Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) during the first half...

Arizona Sports

Bobby Hurley: ‘I failed miserably’ in Arizona State’s Pac-12 Tournament loss to Utah

Arizona State's basketball season ended in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas after the team started 4-0 in conference play this year.

5 days ago

Arizona State coach Herb Sendek: Tra Holder ‘has improved quickly’