SB Nation User Blog: mlev811

OG Chris DeArmas Commits to Sun Devils

mlev811 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:47:38 -0000

It looks like Erickson is recruiting junior college offensive linemen as a top priority this offseason. El Camino offensive guard Chris DeArmas has committed to the Sun Devils, a 1 star recruit. Originally a 3-star recruit out of high school and committed to South Flordia, DeArmas ended up going the juco route and has landed with the Sun Devils. The 6-4 305lb lineman looks to contribute immediately for an oft injured and depleted Sun Devil offensive line. DeArmas also received offers from FIU, Memphis, Nevada, and South Florida (again).

Poll

What are the biggest recruiting needs for the upcoming class?

Offensive Linemen

39 votes

Tight End

3 votes

Wide Receiver

0 votes

Quarterback

6 votes

Running Back

4 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

Let The Offseason Changes Continue

mlev811 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:09:06 -0000

More photos » by Rick Bowmer - AP

Erickson is puzzled as to why Bass never understood that in order to contribute you have to be able to hold on to the football.

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It looks like Ryan Bass was granted a release and will transfer from ASU. The often fumbling, speedy, and outspoken Bass had been suspended indefinitely by Erickson the week following the USC game. Bass struggled throughout his career to hold on to the football. While he showed bursts of speed (something we could use from the RB position), his tendency to give the ball up kept him off the field. Bass questioned why he wasn't getting playing time, only to prove to himself the reason. There seemed to be a disconnect between the coaches and Bass and eventually it ended in the demise of the coach-player relationship.

Bass is likely to transfer to San Diego State, where his brother played. We wish him the best and are disappointed that he couldn't contribute more to the Devils in his time here.

ASU AD Lisa Love Getting 4-yr Extension

mlev811 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:43:42 -0000

More photos » by Mary Altaffer - AP

27 days ago: Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek speaks during an NCAA college basketball news conference for NIT Season Tip-off on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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It looks like Lisa Love has earned herself a 4-year extension as the AD of Arizona State University. In a move that is bound to be criticized by many, I think Crow made a good decision offering Lisa the extension.

As the AD of ASU, Love has transformed the basketball program with the hire of Herb Sendek. While her hire of Dennis Erickson is in question right now, overall ASU athletics have been improved overall.

With Pat Murphy's resignation and the football teams dismal performance this year, Lisa is going to be heavily scrutinized in how she handles both situations.

It appears that any word on assistant coach firings (ahem...Rich Olsen) has not been leaked, or is not happening. She needs to force Erickson to make changes in order to keep his job, a lot like the school down south did to Stoops.

Lisa's baseball hire must also be a crowd pleaser. It will be tough to follow up Pat Murphy's coaching reign over ASU baseball, but it should be easy to attract a top coach to replace him. Let's hope she continues to make quality hires like Sendek.

Biggest Surprise So Far

mlev811 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:46:37 -0000

From espn.com's Weekly Watch
"Biggest surprise so far: Arizona State's ability to score. Herb Sendek's Sun Devils are averaging 75 points a game, Derek Glasser is scoring 13.2 (24 against LSU) and the Sun Devils look like a legit top-five contender in the Pac-10. Who had that?"

The Devils and the NBA

mlev811 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:51:13 -0000

More photos » by BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI - AP

about 1 month ago: Oklahoma City rookie guard James Harden dunks the ball over San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili of Argentina during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Bahram Mark Sobhani)

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James Harden is 12 games into his rookie NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first 11 games, Harden contributed decent numbers coming off of the bench. Harden is averaging 18 minutes per game and 7.3 ppg. Currently leading the team in 3-pt%, Harden has been a boost off the bench for the young and energetic Thunder. In last nights game, Harden came off the pine to go 6-7 from behind the arc, scoring 24 points in 31 minutes against the Magic in a losing effort. It seems OKC needs to give more minutes to Harden, who as we all know, can rack up assists, steals, and points as quickly as Pendergraph picked up fouls in his junior year.

Speaking of Jeff Pendergraph, he is still recovering from hip surgery stemming back to September. He is expected to miss a considerable amount of his rookie season in the NBA, but if anyone can bounce back from adversity, its Pendergraph. He will most definitely be the hardest working player on the court once healthy, and may contribute key minutes for the 9-4 Blazers, while Greg Oden takes a break.

Pre-Season Bracketology Report 2009

mlev811 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:40:43 -0000

It is back. Lunardi's Bracketology was released today, and to my surprise, it included ASU. Lunardi has the Devils as a 13 seed, going up against the 4 seed Ohio State Buckeyes. How do the Sun Devils match up against the Buckeyes? I don't even know how well we match up against North Dakota State. 17th ranked Ohio State started their season with a 100-60 defeat of ASU (no, not the Sun Devils...Alcorn State). OSU has a starting squad of 1 Senior, 3 Juniors, and 1 Sophomore. With an experienced, yet youthful lineup, the Buckeyes are primed to compete with the best of the best this year. That is why the Sun Devils take an early exit out of this bracket.

What are your expectations for the Sun Devils this year? NCAA Tourney bound? NIT bound?

Terell Carr Suspended Indefinitely

mlev811 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:56:06 -0000

More photos » by Matt York - AP

about 1 month ago: USC wide receiver Ronald Johnson (8) picks up yards as Arizona State cornerback Terell Carr defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz. USC won 14-9. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Can someone explain to me how a senior, going into the final 3 games of their Sun Devil, and most likely football, career can get suspended indefinitely. SR CB Terell Carr got suspended indefinitely for breaking a team rule. Does indefinitely mean the rest of the season?...I would think so. Erickson needs to make a statement letting the rest of the team know that they need to continue to abide by all team rules. With the suspension of Carr, and the announcement that Bolden will be out for the remainder of the season, the Devils are dangerously thin at the CB position. Look for Frosh Deveron Carr and SR Pierre Singfield to step it up for the remainder of the season. Erickson said about starting freshman this late in the season...

"You just got to do it," he said. "They're all on scholarship. They got to step up and do what they're supposed to do. This happens all over the country, so I don't think we're unusual."

Unusual...a fitting word for this seasons Arizona State Football team.

Poll

Which suspension has a bigger impact on the Sun Devils?

Ryan "Uno" Bass

5 votes

Terrell Carr

26 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

Devil Links for November 10th

mlev811 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:39:22 -0000

More photos » by Reed Saxon - AP

about 1 month ago: Arizona State head basketball coach Herb Sendek talks to reporters at the Pac-10 NCAA college basketball media day in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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A couple of interesting stories out there today...

It looks like the QB situation is just as unsettled as always. Erickson still hasn't decided who will start and doesn't really care about the publics opinion. If I had to guess, it is going to be Danny Sullivan. Lets hope not.

We could have our Center of the future for the Men's basketball team. Thanks to Dirk Diggler for bringing attention to this story.

ASU is looking to finish off its 2010 recruiting class with a player who grew up around MJ and Scottie Pippen. Yes, that Jordan and Pippen.

Gameday @ Washington State 2:00PM

mlev811 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:55:03 -0000

More photos » by Paul Connors - AP

Erickson and Sullivan probably talking about silencing the fans chants for "Brock". (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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Nothing says Sun Devil football like an untelevised away game. The high temperature in Pullman today is a brisk 47 degrees, weather which most ASU players will be unfamiliar with. A low profile game could be the remedy Danny Sullivan and Dennis Erickson need to silence the critics, at least for another week. I'm expecting a game a lot like the ULM and ISU games earlier this year and the Devils should leave Pullman with a W. Prediction: ASU 28 WSU 10. Share your pre-game thoughts right here on HOS.

If the Sun Devils Were a TV show...

mlev811 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:45:18 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

Although the physical resemblance isn't there, Brock and Samson will end up just like E, front row. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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If the Sun Devil football team were a TV show, I'd pick Entourage. Just like Entourage, the Devils are filled with drama, rarely find success as a collective group, and the players can easily be matched with the characters of the cast. So, what Sun Devil will play E, Turtle, Vince, Drama, and Ari?

Ari: Mike Nixon - The mostly dependable, go to for advice character fits Mike Nixon well. Nixon has the life experience along with a solid set of skills to fill this role.

Vince: Vontaze Burfict - The superstar. Hes the future of the group, and quite honestly is the player who attracts most of the attention when on the field. Although he is certain to make mistakes, he'll more than learn from them and bounce back to be even more explosive. Burfict is what will bring people to the games in years to come.

Drama: Danny Sullivan - The elder QB. His career is never taken seriously. While he may think that he can star, he's meant to be just an extra.

Turtle: Thomas Weber - While few fans have high hopes from the kicker, Weber came in as a freshman and put up an award winning year. Having little expectations put upon him allowed him to surprise everyone with his consistency.

E: Brock Osweiler or Samson S. - Why Brock and Samson? Well they're going to benefit from the career of their teammate Sullivan. One of them will fall into high powered offense and be expected to lead.