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College Basketball Bubble Watch: Arkansas fighting for a position early

By Nathaniel Reeves

ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 17: Yante Maten
ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 17: Yante Maten /
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TUCSON, AZ – JANUARY 12: Head coachBobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 12, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – JANUARY 12: Head coachBobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 12, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Arizona State Sun Devils

Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Arizona State is quickly making a case as the most underrated team in the conference, and has a chance for a pair of big wins at the Continental Tire Invitational.

After dismissing head coach Herb Sendek in 2015, the Sun Devils poached Bobby Hurley out of Buffalo, but have yet to get going with a 34-35 record during his tenure. The Sun Devils were projected to put up a similar mark this year, with most polls forecasting around a 7th place finish in the middling Pac-12.

Even so, the foundation of a good team was there with terrific guard Tra Holder returning alongside Shannon Evans and four-star forward Romello White, who was ineligible last season. Behind a trio of players averaging at least 18 points per game, the Sun Devils have blown out four straight opponents to begin the season, including a 90-68 win over San Diego State.

Things are about to get tougher this week in Las Vegas, starting with Thursday’s contest against a Kansas State team that should also be competing for a tournament spot. The winner of that game will likely take on Xavier on Friday, providing a chance for a marquee nonconference win.

A loss to the Wildcats would likely set a matchup against George Washington, which Arizona State cannot afford to lose to. Beating Kansas State would be huge, as the Sun Devils won’t get too many chances to beat tournament teams once the Pac-12 season rolls around.