Sun Devil basketball team aiming to surprise

The Sun Devil men’s basketball team had a disastrous 2011-2012 season, and that’s putting it mildly.

10-21 isn’t exactly a record you can be proud of, but that’s what the team ended up when the smoke cleared from the season.

There were so many issues with personnel, which really hurt the chemistry and continuity of the team. So many pieces moved on and off the team that it was hard to take it all in at times.

However, that was then and this is now…

The 2012-2013 Sun Devils are loaded and ready for success this coming season.

One man who’s definitely ready for ball is head coach Herb Sendek.

“What I like most about this team is the guys on the team,” Sendek said. “This team has a good personality, good chemistry [and] they’re enjoyable guys to coach.”

Being that the team hasn’t played a game yet – either within the PAC-12 or outside of it – Sendek says the team hasn’t been tested or suffered any adversity yet, but he knows his guys will be ready for whatever comes down the pike.

“Right now, as we go into this season, I just really enjoy this group of young men,” Sendek said.

Without a doubt, the most talked about person associated with the Sun Devil basketball team over the past year or so was point guard Jahii Carson.

As electrifying as Carson is on the court, that had to be put on hold for a year as Carson lost that year of play due to being academically ineligible.

That year is up, and Carson is officially on the roster and ready to run and play.

“I’m ready, I wish the game was tomorrow,” Carson said. “I’m chomping at the bit, ready to go out there and get it.”

Carson knows there will be immense pressure on him to perform right out of the gate, but he knows that with the core group of players around him, performing at his normal high level won’t be difficult.

“I think I’m one of the fastest guys in the country,” Carson said. “With the offense that Coach [Sendek] is putting in, and with the fastbreak style that we’re getting in, I think that I’m going to flourish in that offense.”

If Carson has any flaws in his game, he says it’s his mid-range jump shot.

“I think if guards have a great mid-range jump shot, it keeps the defense honest,” Carson said. “I think a small guy, undersized point guard, having a mid-range jumper is definitely something I need to perfect.”

One player who’s sure to benefit from Carson and what he brings to the table is forward/guard Carrick Felix.

Felix says he’s ready to step up as a leader and guide the younger players like Carson, Calaen Robinson, Bo Barnes and others.

“That’s definitely one thing I’m really good at, just me having my wisdom, teaching the guys and helping them get through the little tough times,” Felix said.

Felix says to look out for the Sun Devils this year, because they’re gonna push the ball every chance they get.

“We’re gonna be able to run up and down the court, definitely play defense,” Felix said. “I can tell you right now, the players we have, the people we have, everybody’s relentless, we’re all killers, so that’s good.”