TEMPE, Arizona: Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley was occasionally infuriated last season by a team that seemed to lack chemistry and played inconsistently.
Hoping to get the program back on an upward trajectory, Hurley has revamped the roster for 2021-22, bringing in a group of transfers and freshmen that he hopes can add a level of grain.
I think it really comes down to that mental toughness, said Hurley. We had games last year where a team missed us 10 points and we didn’t react. You have to have guys who are ready to face that type of adversity and who are able to have an answer and come out of a hole and get back into the game.
Arizona State had one of its most talented teams in program history last season, a mix of stable veterans and top freshmen.
The Sun Devils never seemed to freeze, plagued by injuries, COVID-19 breaks and a lack of cohesion to complete a disappointing 11-14.
Arizona State lost talented guards Remy Martin (Kansas) and Allonzo Verge (Nebraska) to transfers, and freshman Josh Christopher to the pro ranks.
The Sun Devils got a boost when big man Marcus Bagley chose to return after entering the transfer portal, joining Jalen Graham and Kimani Lawrence in what will be a veteran frontcourt.
Guard Luther Muhammad will provide Arizona State with some of the courage Hurley wants after being out last season as a transfer from Ohio State. The immediately eligible transfer group is coming to the wilderness after seeing success at smaller schools, led by Marreon Jackson of Toledo, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year last season.
Transfer goalie Jay Heath led Boston College with 14.5 points per game last season and goaltender DJ Horne led Illinois State with 15.1 points per game. Northwest Florida State Junior College transfer forward Alonzo Gafney could also make an impact after playing his freshman year at Ohio State.
We have a lot of guys who are just plain tough, Lawrence said. We compete every day. We face each other every day. Were just a really competitive bunch of guys. Hurley did a good job of bringing this group of guys together.
FIVE STAR FRESHMAN
Big man Enoch Boakye had a minor knee problem but is expected to play a big role for the Sun Devils.
The 6-foot-10 Canadian is a physical and athletic presence who was ranked No. 20 overall by the 247Sports Composite after being reclassified to the Class of 2021. Hurley compared him to a larger version of the former Arizona State goalie Lugentz Dort, a confident player. who plays and works hard in practice.
When you have those things to yourself with the physical talent that you have with the size and athletic ability, it’s a pretty good package, Hurley said.
AT THE TURN OF MUHAMMAD
Hurley occasionally raves about Muhammad last season, even though the tough minded keeper was not eligible to play.
The 6-3 goalie started 28 games at Ohio State and has been pushing the Sun Devils every day in practice as he awaited his turn this season.
He brings tenacity and intensity and rubs off on the other guys, Hurley said.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The state of Arizona should have a chance to figure some things out on the ground with a non-conference schedule that starts with Portland, UC Riverside, and North Florida.
The Sun Devils’ first big test will be against San Diego State on November 18. Right after that, they will face challenging Battle 4 Atlantis terrain in the Bahamas which includes No.8 Baylor, No.18 Auburn, No.24 UConn, State of Michigan, and Commonwealth of Virginia.
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