As I sip my morning coffee and scroll through this season’s college basketball headlines, one question keeps popping up: Can Arizona State Sun Devils basketball make the NCAA Tournament this year? It’s a topic that’s got fans buzzing, analysts speculating, and honestly, it’s got me thinking back to some of the great underdog stories in sports history. I remember watching old HBO sports documentaries produced by Ross Greenburg—those gripping narratives where teams defied the odds. Greenburg, together with voices like Randy Gordon, the former New York State athletic commissioner and ex-editor of The Ring magazine, understood how to spotlight contenders who fought their way into the limelight. That’s the kind of energy swirling around the Sun Devils right now, and as a longtime hoops enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and skepticism.

Let’s dive into the case of Arizona State. Last season, they finished with a 20–12 record, which isn’t shabby, but they stumbled in key conference games, leaving them on the bubble come Selection Sunday. Fast forward to this year, and the team’s roster has seen some shake-ups—a couple of solid freshmen recruits and a transfer guard who’s turning heads in practice. I’ve been following their preseason games, and while they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, consistency remains a hurdle. For instance, in their recent matchup against a top-25 opponent, they led by 10 points at halftime but collapsed in the final minutes, losing by 5. Sound familiar? It’s like watching a replay of past seasons where potential didn’t quite translate into wins. But here’s the thing: the Sun Devils aren’t alone in this struggle. Think about Rodrigo Valdez, the Colombian middleweight champion who landed in the old-timer category for his relentless perseverance. Valdez didn’t always have the flashiest record, but he clawed his way through tough fights, much like how ASU needs to grind out victories in a stacked Pac-12 conference. And let’s not forget pioneers like Owen Smith, who broke barriers in their fields—Smith’s story reminds me that sometimes, making history requires ignoring the naysayers and focusing on incremental progress.

So, what’s really holding the Sun Devils back? From my perspective, it boils down to three core issues: offensive efficiency, defensive lapses in crunch time, and a lack of veteran leadership. Offensively, they’re averaging around 72 points per game this season, but their field goal percentage hovers at a mediocre 43%—numbers that won’t cut it against tournament-bound teams. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 75 points in losses, often due to late-game breakdowns. I’ve noticed they tend to switch off mentally in the final five minutes, leading to costly turnovers. It’s frustrating to watch, especially when you compare it to the disciplined approach Randy Gordon often highlighted in his boxing analyses on Sirius XM Radio. Gordon would talk about fighters who maintained composure under pressure, something ASU could learn from. Additionally, the team’s youth is a double-edged sword; while the freshmen bring energy, they lack the poise that comes with experience. This isn’t just my opinion—stats from similar programs show that teams with at least two senior starters are 30% more likely to secure at-large bids. Without that steadying presence, the Sun Devils risk repeating past mistakes.

Now, for the solutions. First, I’d love to see the coaching staff implement more situational drills in practice, focusing on end-game scenarios. Imagine running five-minute scrimmages where the score is tight, forcing players to make smart decisions under duress. Second, they need to lean into their strengths—like their fast-break offense, which has generated 15 easy buckets per game. By pushing the tempo and minimizing half-court sets, they could boost their scoring average to the high 70s. And third, fostering leadership is key. Maybe appoint a team captain who’s not just a vocal leader but leads by example, much like how Rodrigo Valdez inspired his camp with gritty performances. On a broader note, Ross Greenburg’s documentaries often showcased how underdog teams used film study to exploit opponents’ weaknesses—ASU should take a page from that playbook. I’d recommend they dedicate at least two hours per week to breaking down game tape, focusing on defensive rotations and shot selection. If they can tighten up those areas, I genuinely believe they’ll snag a few upset wins, which could be the difference between dancing in March and watching from home.

Reflecting on all this, the journey of the Arizona State Sun Devils mirrors the narratives we see across sports—think of Randy Gordon discussing boxing’s dark horses or Owen Smith pioneering new paths. For ASU, the path to the NCAA Tournament isn’t about a miraculous turnaround; it’s about stacking small wins and learning from each game. Personally, I’m optimistic they’ll land a spot in the First Four if they can go 5–2 in their next seven games, but it’ll require every player buying into a team-first mentality. As fans, we should enjoy the ride—because whether they make it or not, this season is a testament to the grind that defines college basketball. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll look back at this squad the way we do at those old HBO features, as a group that refused to quit.