Cal Poly SLO Mustangs vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 20th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Cal Poly is currently undergoing a transformation as it gets ready to face off against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona on Wednesday.

Under the guidance of first-year coach Mike DeGeorge, the Mustangs have won their last three games, bringing their overall record to 3-2. This is a significant improvement from their 2023-24 season, where they finished with only four wins and a dismal 0-20 record in the Big West.

In their recent 82-78 victory against Eastern Washington, seniors Owen Koonce and Mac Riniker led the Mustangs in scoring with 19 and 15 points respectively.

Koonce and fellow senior Isaac Jessup are currently the top scorers for Cal Poly, averaging 14 points per game. Riniker also leads the team in rebounds, with an average of 5.8 per game.

According to DeGeorge, the team's confidence is growing as they continue to win close games. This is a positive sign for the Mustangs, as DeGeorge previously had a successful record of 141-43 in six seasons at Division II Colorado Mesa.

On the other side, Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley has a lineup that includes two highly talented freshmen, Joson Sanon and Jayden Quaintance.

In their last game against St. Thomas-Minnesota, Sanon and Quaintance combined for 31 points and 23 rebounds, with Sanon contributing 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Hurley praised Sanon's performance, stating that he has the potential to be an NBA prospect. Quaintance also had a strong game, finishing with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocked shots.

The Sun Devils were also led by Basheer Jihad, a transfer from Ball State who scored 20 points and had six rebounds. He currently leads the team with an average of 13 points per game.

PREDICTION

Cal Poly SLO Mustangs

Arizona State Sun Devils

Cal Poly SLO Mustangs vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Recap NOV 20TH 2024

BJ Freeman's two free throws with six seconds left secured a 93-89 victory Wednesday night for Arizona State over visiting Cal Poly.

Freeman, who finished with 13 points and five assists, was one of six Arizona State players who scored in double figures.

Freshman forward Joson Sanon led the Sun Devils (4-1) with a season-high 22 points. Adam Miller finished with 16 points, Alston Mason had 14 points and five assists, Basheer Jihad scored 11 points and freshman Jayden Quaintance had 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Cal Poly (3-3) nearly matched its win total of last season, when it finished 4-28.

Jarred Hyder had 27 points while shooting 9 of 18 from the field, 7 of 14 from 3-point range, for the Mustangs. Isaac Jessup had 17 points and Kieran Elliott 14.

Arizona State led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but Cal Poly rallied to cut the deficit to 81-80 with 2:50 left on a layup by Mac Riniker.

Jihad's two free throws with 1:41 to go gave Arizona State an 84-80 lead.

Koonce then made two free throws to pull the Mustangs within two.

Sanon answered making a shot on a drive while being fouled. He sank the free throw for the three-point play to put the Sun Devils ahead 87-82 with 1:03 left.

Elliott followed with a basket in the lane.

Mason made one of two free-throw attempts to give Arizona State an 88-84 lead with 32 seconds left.

After a missed 3-point attempt by Koonce, Quaintance was fouled. Quaintance made 1 of 2 shots at the free-throw line to increase the lead to 89-84 with 21 seconds left.

Hyder made a 3-pointer before Sanon responded with two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to keep Arizona State ahead 91-87.

Hyder was fouled attempting a 3-pointer, and he made 2 of 3 free attempts with 8 seconds left.

Freeman then made his game-clinching free throws.

Arizona State went on a 13-1 run to take a 19-7 lead with 13:04 left in the first half, and the Sun Devils went into halftime up 46-38.