Grambling State and Arizona State were in the Phoenix area with different mindsets over the weekend heading into Tuesday night’s Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series game in Tempe, Ariz.
The Tigers (2-1) are trying to regroup after losing 81-48 at Grand Canyon on Friday night while the Sun Devils (4-1) were riding the high of upsetting then-No. 20 Michigan 87-62 Thursday in the championship game of the Legends Classic at Brooklyn, N.Y.
Before embarking to Arizona, Grambling State won its first two games at home, including 83-74 against Colorado in a Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series game.
But against Grand Canyon, the Tigers went the first 5:08 without a basket and trailed 42-15 at halftime.
Carte’Are Gordon was the lone Grambling State player in double figures with 15 points, on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. The rest of the team made just 12 of 45 shots (26.7 percent).
Tra’Michael Moton returned to the lineup after being out last week with an illness. He had seven points, four rebounds and two steals.
Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson indicated the Tigers may have become too comfortable playing at home, where they averaged 82.5 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the field.
“There’s nothing like playing at home,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing like playing in front of your family and friends and being able to compete at a high level.”
Arizona State’s 25-point win over Michigan at the Barclays Center was its largest-ever margin of victory against a ranked opponent.
Desmond Cambridge Jr. led Arizona State with 20 points, and Frankie Collins, who transferred from Michigan in the offseason, finished with a team-high five assists.
The Sun Devils held Michigan to season lows in multiple offensive categories, including points (62), field-goal percentage (33.9) and 3-point field-goal percentage (18.2).
“These guys were just making plays all over the court,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. “I kinda told them I’m kinda in awe of them a little bit. Just kinda took a step back and was just watching and just proud of how they competed and performed and made plays out there.”
–Field Level Media
