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The Arizona State men's basketball team is one win away from doing something it hasn't done since 1985 - start a season 5-0. But the Sun Devils will have to get past Bradley University to do so. Here is your game preview.
Game Time: 7 p.m.
TV/Radio: Pac-12 Networks/Tunein (Link)
Bradley University Update
The Braves (4-1) are looking to rebound after an 81-55 loss at Illinois. In the game forward Tyshon Pickett led all players in scoring with 21 points. However, the Braves only got 12 points off the bench and shot an abysmal 15.4-percent from three-point range.
Bradley's four wins this season have come against Jacksonville State, Alabama State, Central Michigan and Chicago State. This year's team returns seven of 14 lettermen from last season. This includes senior guard Walt Lemon Jr., who is the active career scoring leader in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Arizona State Update
The Sun Devils are coming off of an 86-80 road win over UNLV. Point guard Jahii Carson dropped a career-high 40 points, while shooting guard Jermaine Marshall finished with 20. Center Jordan Bachynski recorded his fourth consecutive double-double as he finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. However, starting forwards Jonathan Gilling and Shaquielle McKissic both struggled. McKissic went 0-3 from the field and finished with no points. Gilling also missed all nine shots he took (including seven three-pointers) and only finished with one point.
Matchup to watch: Jahii Carson vs. Walt Lemon Jr.
This game's match up pits two point guards that are on the Bob Cousy Award watch list. Carson is coming off of a career game, and will look to continue his great play against Bradley. Lemon Jr. is without a doubt Bradley's best player. He leads the team in points per game with 15.6 and assists per game. At 6-foot-3, Lemon Jr. plays more of the hybrid guard so there may be times where Marshall will be guarding him instead of Carson. Overall it should be a fun matchup to watch between two of the best players in their respective conferences.
Prediction
Bradley University is not a team that should be taken lightly whatsoever. But, with that being said, I think Arizona State has too many players that can make shots for Bradley to stop them. Gilling will come out and look to drain some threes early, and Bachynski will dominate in the paint with his size advantage. Therefore, my prediction is Arizona State wins 79-62.