Sun Devils look to extend win streak against Stanford

After hitting a funk following their marquee victory over then top-ranked Kansas, Arizona State may be heading back in the right direction.

ASU dropped two straight games after its big win against the Jayhawks, but have since won back-to-back games against Colorado and California. The Sun Devils will look to extend the win streak to three when they travel to Palo Alto to face off against Stanford on Saturday.

They came out flat in the game against Cal on Wednesday but were energized by the play of Remy Martin, who came off the bench for the second game in a row after head coach Bobby Hurley decided to shake up the starting lineup. Martin scored 24 points and dished out eight assists while shooting a very efficient 9-of-14 from the field, which included five three-pointers.

“Whatever I can do to help my team win, that’s what I’m going to do,” Martin said to the Pac-12 Network after ASU’s win on Wednesday. “It doesn’t matter if I’m starting or coming off the bench, I’m going to continue to play my game and help this team win.”

Hurley recognized Martin’s great play in the win, and has already committed to using him in an increased role against Stanford this weekend.

“Remy’s most likely going to be in the starting lineup on Saturday,” Hurley said.

Stanford, on the other hand, is looking to get back on the right track following a rough start to conference play. The Cardinal finished the non-conference slate with three wins in four games, but have lost the first three conference games to UCLA, USC and Arizona, respectively. Stanford has been good at home this year though, as they carry a 5-1 record in Palo Alto into the contest against ASU.

The game against the Cardinal will be an important one for the Sun Devils if they want to keep pace in the Pac-12, as they currently sit a game behind first-place Arizona in a conference that has proved itself to be open for the taking all season.

The team may be without Zylan Cheatham for this game, however, as the memorial service for his late brother takes place on Saturday morning. His availability is currently up in the air.