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Yesterday it was ASU basketball's upset over Arizona moving on to the next round over the Curtain of Distraction going national by another 63-37 majority vote. Here is how the bracket stands as the Elite Eight is starting to take form:
Seed No. 2: ASU beats Notre Dame, rises to No. 6
It was one of the biggest games being played at Sun Devil Stadium in a long time. Thousands filled the stands and dozens of high level recruits filled the sidelines to watch at battle of top 10 teams in the desert. It was No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 9 Arizona State in a crucial non-conference battle.
After allowing an early field goal, the Sun Devils exploded for 34 straight points in the first half. Taylor Kelly threw two touchdown passes and Damarious Randall intercepted an Everett Golson pass and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown, leading ASU to a 34-10 lead into halftime.
The wheels fell off a bit early in the second half, as the Fighting Irish scored 21 straight points to pull within 34-31 with just over six minutes to play. ASU responded with a five-play, 75-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped by a Demario Richard 4-yard touchdown reception to give ASU a 41-31 left.
With the Irish driving to try to close the gap, Lloyd Carrington picked off Golson and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. The Sun Devils added a late score and won the game by a final score of 55-31.
D.J. Foster finished with one of his best days on the ground, carrying the football 21 times for 120 yards. Taylor Kelly went 17/28 for 224 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The swarming Sun Devil defense forced five turnovers and scored two touchdowns of their own.
The victory over Notre Dame was ASU's signature victory last year and propelled ASU to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff Poll when it was released on November 11 of last year.
- Ryan Bafaloukos
#SunDevilMoments Series Seed No. 15: ASU basketball beats Connecticut in NIT
After an upset loss against USC to open the Pac-12 Tournament, Arizona State's basketball team had a long wait until Selection Sunday to find out if it would get an invitation to the NIT. The committee was able to overlook the rough loss against the Trojans and put the Sun Devils in the field, slotting them as a five-seed and giving them a tough opener at Connecticut.
Despite the long road trip, the draw ended up being a favorable one for the maroon and gold. The Huskies, who had dreams of making the big dance, ended up falling one win short of the NCAA's because of a home loss just three days earlier. They were also without star player Ryan Boatright, who had injured his shoulder in that AAC title game defeat against SMU.
The visitors took advantage of the lucky circumstances and raced out to a 37-24 halftime advantage, stunning a Connecticut team that did not look like it wanted to be there.
The Huskies would eventually wake up, and they were able to pull within one late in the second half thanks to an 11-2 run. But just when it looked like Arizona State was going to give up its second huge lead in as many games, something clicked.
Shaquille McKissic buried a huge three just as the shot clock was set to expire. Then he made a layup on the next trip down the court. The home team was unable to answer on their end, and the Sun Devils made their crucial free throws down the stretch to clinch a 68-61 win.
All of the sudden, thoughts of another heartbreaking loss had been erased. The maroon and gold had marched into a hostile environment and came out victorious, advancing to a second round matchup with top-seeded Richmond.
- Connor Pelton