Northern Arizona @ Arizona State preview

Northern Arizona at Arizona State

Last Meeting ( Dec 17, 2011 ) Northern Arizona 69, Arizona State 68

So far, so good for Arizona State which has scored at least 90 points in winning its opening two games of the season. The Sun Devils continue their four-game homestand Friday night by hosting winless in-state rival Northern Arizona.

Arizona State did struggle through the opening half of Tuesday’s game against San Diego State, trailing 40-34 at the break, but coach Bobby Hurley’s bunch blitzed the visiting Aztecs 56-28 over the second 20 minutes to win going away at 90-68. The Sun Devils hit 20 of 30 shots in the second half while limiting the visitors to 9-of-30 shooting, including 2-of-9 3-pointers after a 6-of-12 showing from long range in the opening half. Arizona State displayed superior offensive balance in the contest with senior guards Tra Holder and Shannon Evans II combining for 38 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists while forwards Romello White and De’Quon Lake, both newcomers, added 31 points and 22 boards. “I think we have a chance to be better with the balance we have,” Hurley said in his post-game news conference. “The guards, with what they can do away from the basket and getting to the rim, along with the presence of Romello and De’Quon around the basket, it’s going to make it harder to defend us.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA (0-2): Losing big (101-67) to No. 5 Arizona in the season opener was fully expected, but dropping its home opener 82-70 to Embry-Riddle, an NAIA program, on Monday night after squandering an early 25-9 lead is an ominous sign for the young and rebuilding Lumberjacks. Forward Chris Bowling had 16 points to pace Northern Arizona and is the only player averaging double figures at 13.5 per game. Forward Corey Brown (8.0) and guard Torry Johnson (7.0) are next in scoring while forward Brooks Debisschop is averaging a team-most 5.5 rebounds for the Lumberjacks, who have been outrebounded 84-59 so far.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (2-0): White, a 6-8 forward, made his debut Tuesday after sitting out last season as an academic redshirt and then missing the Sun Devils’ opener for an unspecified violation of team rules. He showed some signs of obvious rust with a game-high six turnovers and three fouls but did hit 5-of-10 shots and 6-of-9 free throws while notching the double-double. Overall, Holder (21.0 points), Evans (19.5) and Lake (19.5) are all off to sizzling offensive starts while Holder is also averaging 8.5 rebounds and seven assists.

TIP-INS

1. Arizona State owns a 21-7 series lead since 1950, but Northern Arizona has won three of the last four meetings dating back to 1998.

2. Holder and Evans are each 6-of-17 on 3-point attempts so far while the rest of the Sun Devils are a combined 5-of-21 from long range.

3. Arizona State announced earlier this week that prize recruit Kimani Lawrence, a freshman forward, will miss the next 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 96, Northern Arizona 69