For the first time in Luguentz Dort‘s college career, the four-star freshman guard was relegated to the bench.
While Dort’s recent offensive cold spell (14-of-59 shooting) makes a case for a lineup change, the alteration might’ve been exactly what Arizona State needed to rediscover itself after losing four of its past six games.
In his place, senior forward De’Quon Lake was inserted into the starting lineup as coach Bobby Hurley opted to utilize a large lineup, a resource he’s not had in previous years.
With Lake starting, redshirt senior forward Zylan Cheatham opened the game as the team’s lead guard while redshirt sophomore forward Romello White was able to roam the high post and shift between blocks, both adjustments that impacted the game from the tip.