Redemption doesn’t come around very often. Then again, neither does Arizona State in the NCAA Tournament.
Tonight, the Sun Devils (22-10, 13-7 Pac-12) will make their second straight appearance in the Big Dance, facing St. John’s (21-12, 9-11 Big East) at the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. This is the first time ASU has made consecutive tournament appearances since 1980-81, and the opportunity is rewarding.
A year ago, the Sun Devils’ season came to an end at the University of Dayton Arena, falling 60-56 to Syracuse. Shannon Evans II missed what would’ve been the go-ahead 3-pointer with five seconds remaining, sending ASU home while the Orange made the Sweet 16.