Sun Devils to get road test

Asking the Arizona State men’s basketball team about last year’s trip to Nebraska seemed akin to asking which part of the all-time worst movie you want to keep replaying.

From the weather to the game’s final 30 minutes, it was ugly, as a freshmen-laden squad was beaten badly in its first true road game of the season last December.

Even Sun Devils point guard Derek Glasser knew about a 41-7 scoring separation that wedged its way between the two schools for the middle two-thirds of that game.

Nearly every Sun Devil is back, and since No. 15 ASU wound up 4-5 in road games (and 2-2 on neutral courts) last year, this year’s one-year-wiser squad is confident that they won’t be watching repeats, even though the calendar says tonight’s first road test against a quality opponent in San Diego State comes three weeks earlier than last year.

“We know what it’s like,” sophomore guard Jamelle McMillan said. “Obviously, we got killed (against Nebraska). We know it’s (San Diego State’s) gym, their crowd, their lighting. ... We know it’s going to be tough, but we feel we’re tough as well. The stuff we have and how we’re playing, we should be OK going on the road for the first time.”

Even coach Herb Sendek acknowledged that his team has talked about the Nebraska disappointment in preparation for the Aztecs, but that was that. No further discussions. No revisionist film breakdowns. No year-to-year comparisons.

Whatever lessons were learned about how to start a season away from home following that 62-47 loss are up to his players.

“We have a lot of work to do right now,” Sendek said. “We’re not focused on Nebraska; that was a long time ago. It’s there for whatever it’s worth, but not what we’re spending our time on. Whatever Nebraska offers us, so be it from past learning experiences, but right now, we’re consumed with improvement.”

It turned out Arizona State (21-13, 9-9 Pac-10) fared better than Nebraska (18-11, 7-9) by season’s end, but the Aztecs aren’t likely to fall far themselves. San Diego State has won more than 20 games in three consecutive years under Steve Fisher and played in three straight postseasons (two NIT appearances and the 2006 NCAA tournament).

“I don’t think we’ll put ourselves in a hole like we did last year,” Glasser said. “We’ve got a solid nine. It’s definitely a tough test, they won 20-something games and return their whole team. It’ll be a big road game.”

Arizona State also returns most of its team, hence the reason for road optimism. More importantly, contributions from those other than James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph were evident during Friday night’s season-opening win over Mississippi Valley State.

Ty Abbott had 18 points and eight rebounds, Rihards Kuksiks hit four 3-pointers and Jerren Shipp played well off the bench.

Last year, the Huskers were successful at pushing around ASU’s top two scoring options and taking the Sun Devils out of the game by early in the second half.

“You saw a variety of different things from different guys,” McMillan said of Friday’s win.

“I think that’s because we’ve improved. Practice has been better the past couple weeks. Guys know this is the real deal.

“Last year. they felt they could come in and not much was expected of them. Now, they know of the expectations from teammates and coaches, and they’re playing that way.”

No. 15 ASU at San Diego State

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Cox Arena at the Aztec Bowl, San Diego

TV/Radio: None/KTAR (620 AM)

Outlook: San Diego State: This game has the Sun Devils worried, and for good reason. The Aztecs are coming off a season-opening win against UC-San Diego, as well as an NCAA tournament appearance and a their third consecutive 20-win season. Virtually their entire roster returns, although first-team All-Mountain West Conference forward Lorrenzo Wade could miss a second consecutive game due to a team suspension. Senior forward Ryan Amoroso is the team’s top returning rebounder. He sat out the season opener with a back injury, but is expected to return tonight.

Arizona State: In addition to James Harden and Ty Abbott, look for Jeff Pendergraph to get more involved offensively early. Two quick fouls took away much of his early playing time against Mississippi Valley State, but the Sun Devils found him early in the second half. Pendergraph will have his hands full with Aztecs sophomore Billy White. These two teams last met in 2000.