Newcomers contribute, even stand out in ASU's Maroon-Gold scrimmage
TEMPE -- The season of melding for Arizona State's men's basketball team went public with the Maroon and Gold scrimmage Friday as the Sun Devils prepare for their first year in several without Jahii Carson and Jordan Bachynski.
The starting group was the same that coach Herb Sendek identified at Pac-12 media day -- holdovers Bo Barnes, Shaquielle McKissic and Eric Jacobsen, along with freshman point guard Tra Holder and junior college transfer Willie Atwood. At the same time, Sendek said moving parts remain, and the final statistics indicate contributions could come from several fronts.
Transfer forward Savon Goodman had 18 points and showed both athleticism and tenacity in rebounding, especially on the offensive end. After leaving UNLV early last year, he will miss nine games before gaining eligibility for the Marquette game Dec. 16.
Junior college transfer Gerry Blakes had 17 points and McKissic had 15 as players changed sides frequently in the Gold's 63-57 victory at Wells Farge Arena.
Senior Jonathan Gilling, projected in the sixth man role he played most of last season, sat out the scrimmage with an ankle injury suffered in practice Thursday. Sendek said he believed the injury would not keep Gilling from the Sun Devils' season opener Nov. 14 against visiting Chicago State.
Freshmen center Connor MacDougall and guard Kodi Justice had 11 points apiece, as did Atwood and fellow junior college transfer forward Roosevelt Scott. Justice spent much of the first half with the first unit stepping in for Barnes, McKissic and Atwood as the Sun Devils looked at different combinations.
It appears Holder has secured the point guard position for the time being. Blakes, a 6-foot-4 point guard in junior college, will play only the off guard, Sendek said.
"We were much better tonight than we were last Friday, and hopefully we can say the same a week from now," Sendek said.
"We have a number of new guys that we are trying to integrate what we are doing. They are still in beginning stages of learning Sun Devil basketball, but this team has been consistent with their energy, their effort. Their hearts are in the right place. I think we are going to continue to get better."
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