December 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, United States; Colorado Buffaloes guard Julian Hammond III (3) drives past Iowa State Cyclones center Dishon Jackson (1) in the second half at CU Occasions Middle. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Pictures
The debuts of Colorado and Arizona State in the Large 12 did not go well, and one of them will begin the conference season with two consecutive losses.
The Buffaloes fell at home to No. 3 Iowa State on Monday, and the Solar Devils lost at BYU on Tuesday. They will now meet in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday afternoon.
Arizona State (9-3, 0-1 Large 12) has played just four of its first 12 games at home, six of them at an away venue and two games on the road. The Solar Devils are led by Joson Sanon (13.5 points per game), Basheer Jihad (13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds), Alston Mason (11.3 points) and BJ Freeman (11.3 points).
Adam Miller (9.7 points) and Jayden Quaintance (9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds) round out the team’s best offensive players. Freeman scored 11 points as the only Solar Satan to finish in double figures during the team’s 76-56 loss to BYU.
The Solar Devils, who had been in the Pac-10/Pac-12 since 1978-79, realize it will be difficult to win in their new league.
Five Large 12 teams are ranked in the top 25.
“The Large 12 is the best basketball league in the country,” said Solar Devils coach Bobby Hurley.
Colorado (9-3, 0-1) is back in the Large 12 after 13 years in the Pac-12. The Buffaloes played tough against the Cyclones before falling 79-69, and are now ready for their first true road game of the season after playing nine of their 12 games at home and three at an impartial site during the Maui Invitational.
Colorado coach Tad Boyle said his team will have to compete with Arizona State’s freshmen: Sanon, Quaintance and Amier Ali.
“They have really talented guys,” he said. “They can shoot the ball.”
The Buffaloes are led by senior Julian Hammond III, who averages 13.8 points per game. Elijah Malone is second with 11.5 points per game and Andrej Jakimovski scores 11.2 points per game.
–Media at field level
