Arizona State - Root for the Mascot

Herb Sendek has his hands full after moving over from North Carolina State. What to say about Arizona State....umm, I love their mascot. In all seriousness, Arizona State is going to have an awful time this year trying to find a replacement for leading scorer, and ASU record holder for most minutes played per game (38.98 mpg), Kevin Kruger, who tranferred to UNLV, citing the new NCAA rule to transfer schools after he graduated this past spring. The rule states that if a student-athlete who is enrolled in a specific graduate degree program of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree to participate in intercollegiate athletics regardless of any previous transfer. This is a very controversal new rule by the NCAA, I wonder how long it will be until someone gets in trouble for violating or pushing this rule too far. ASU will also have to find a replacement for second leading scorer Bryson Krueger, who was kicked off the team following his arrest for possesion of firearms and various drugs. Congratulations Krueger, you are at the top of the Delta pledge class.

Weaknesses: TOO MANY TO COVER - Missing top two scorers from a team that was only 11-17 last season (5-13 in league). The sad thing is this, if the Krugers comeback this year, this is potential a middle of the pack Pac-10 team. Now, with the loss of their two best players, this will be a young team, with a new coach, trying to find itself on the shoulders of a sophomore who didn't have to be the number one option last year. Kruger, who was over 40% from 3-point line last year gone, ASU now will suffer from long range, something that Sendek overemphasises in his offense.

Strengths: Sendek. I know, he is the coach, but his offenses are alway potent, and he will get a lot out of this ASU team that will need to learn quickly how to score points. ASU FANS GOTTA LOVE THIS THOUGH, Sendek is 1-0 versus Lute Olson and the Arizona Wildcats. Sendek beat Olson when he was with Miami (Ohio) in the 1995 NCAA Tournament. Pendergraph is a all-around assest. But, will a sophomore be able to handle the pressure of being the number one option. His 8.0 rebound per game last season is very impressive.

Players to watch: Jeff Pendergraph. The Pac-10 All Freshman team selection averaged almost 15.0 ppg over the last nine games last season, and must shoulder more of the load this season with the lost of Kruger and Kruger. Good luck to you sir!

Click here to view ASU's roster, outside of Pendergraph, you will not recognize a single name.

A Husky Fan's Take: YES, count those as gimmie games. Why is there only two on the roster.

Prediction: Horrible, with a shade of pathetic. I hope Pendergraph is amazing this year. Should battle the offensively challenged Washington State Cougars for last in the Pac-10.