Lineup change provides speed off the bench for Bobby Hurley in ASU win
Jan 29, 2021, 12:28 PM
California guard Matt Bradley (20) draws a foul from Arizona State forward Jalen Graham (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 72-68. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Changes had to be made to the Arizona State men’s basketball team following a six-game losing streak to right the ship in a 72-68 win over Cal on Thursday.
The biggest change on paper was head coach Bobby Hurley dropping reigning Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year Alonzo Verge back to the bench, replacing him with the 6-foot-8 Kimani Lawrence.
“We started the game way better than we’ve been starting games,” Hurley told reporters via Zoom after the game.
The added size seemed to have an instant impact on the defensive side of the ball for the Sun Devils.
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ASU held Cal to just eight points through the first 9:30 of the game, forcing Cal into three different two-minute stretches where they could not make a basket.
“I liked our size initially in the game,” Hurley said. “There were some more interchangeable defenders with Marcus (Bagley), Kimani and Josh (Christopher).”
Verge and Jaelen House brought a different element for the team as the sixth and seventh man, combining for all 12 bench points with House adding three steals to lead the team.
“We could go to the bench and bring more speed and energy into the game,” Hurley said.
Extra speed led ASU to a 19-8 advantage in fast-break points, something that Hurley said he hopes to see continue.
“It worked out well and hopefully there is some more carryover with it,” Hurley said.
