ASU Basketball: The way too early look at 2014-2015

Now that everybody has had time to digest the loss to Texas in the NCAA Tournament and reflect on the season, let's begin to look ahead to next season. After all, it is never too early to start on that kind of stuff.

The Sun Devils lose their four leading scorers from last year's squad. The major losses are Jermaine Marshall, Jordan Bachynski and of course Jahii Carson. Shaquille McKissic and Richie Edwards are also lost to graduation. Bo Barnes is not expected back as some believe he will transfer.

Some of the names may change, as transfers are always prevalent in college basketball, but for now let's see what next season may look like.

Who Arizona State is bringing back

Jonathan Gilling - Gilling was moved to the bench midway through the season, but has played starter minutes for the past two seasons. Gilling averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season. He showed flashes, but for the most part was inconsistent with his shot and his defense was spotty at best.

Eric Jacobsen - The big man has improved year-to-year at Arizona State and was moved into the starting rotation during the season. Jacobsen showed he is a good interior defender when he stays out of foul trouble. However, his offensive game is very limited and his outside shot is non-existent.

Egor Koulechov - The freshman saw minutes in Arizona State's nonconference games but was limited to the bench during Pac-12 play. Koulechov averaged 3.7 PPG and did not play in Arizona State's postseason play.

Calean Robinson - The Tempe, Ariz. product showed some positive flashes of play in a very limited amount of playing time this season. Robinson is one of the favorites to replace Carson next season.

Chance Murray - Murray was the youngest player in the Pac-12 last season. He shot 39-percent from 3-point territory and has very good size for the shooting guard position in college.

Brandon Kearney - Many thought that Kearney would have a bigger role at Arizona State than he did. Kearney came to Tempe from Michigan State but did not see much playing time last season behind Carson.

Sai Tammala - Bench player saw limited time last season. Probably won't play a major role next season.

Who Arizona State is bringing in

Tra Holder - The point guard from Los Angeles is described as explosive with good vision. Holder averaged 22.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in his senior season and his Rivals profile lists offers from Florida State, Fresno State, Rutgers and USC.

Kodi Justice - Justice is one of two local products that Sendek signed in the 2014 class. The Mesa, Ariz. product has a nice outside shot and can attack the basket with both hands. Justice has good size, 6-foot-5, but needs to bulk up once he gets to college.

Connor McDougall - McDougall is rated as the No. 91 player in the nation according to Rivals. The Tempe, Ariz. product has a good frame for Division I basketball and has a good offensive game for a big man of his age. His profile lists offers from Oregon State, Colorado, Utah, California and New Mexico.

Gerry Blakes - Blakes attends San Bernardino Community College, where he averaged 20.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48-percent from the field. Blakes was named the California Junior College Co-Player of the Year and figures to be a candidate to start at point guard although he may be able to play off the ball as well.

Roosevelt Scott - Scott, another junior college player, took his team to the National Junior College Championship Game. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is a very good perimeter defender and should compete for playing time next year.

Octavius Ellis - Ellis began his collegiate career at Cincinnati before being dismissed because of off the court issues. He found a home in Trinity Junior College in Texas, where he is averaging 13.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Ellis is a very good defender, averaging over three blocks per game in his first season of junior college.

Season Outlook

There is no doubt that this program is about to go through some major upheaval. However, the junior college recruits come highly regarded and it would not surprise me if this team added a transfer in the offseason.

It is going to be tough for Arizona State to return to the NCAA Tournament next season, just because of the inexperience returning.

The point guard position will be interesting to track as Robinson, Holder, Kearney and Blakes will all compete for the starting job and playing time next season.

Koulechov, Murray, Scott and Justice will compete for the other guard position with Jacobsen, Ellis and McDougall will fight for minutes down low. The only starting position that looks to be secure is that of Gilling.