Arizona State Sun Devils Women's Basketball Strengthens Tournament Position
TEMPE -- Under the leadership of head coach Molly Miller, the Arizona State Sun Devils have improved their season record to 17-3 following a challenging matchup against West Virginia. Despite the recent loss, the Sun Devils remain in a favorable position, currently ranked 44th in the NCAA NET rankings, which keeps them in contention for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
ESPN's bracket analyst Charlie Creme has elevated Arizona State from the "last four in" category to "last four byes," projecting them as a 10 seed facing Nebraska in the first round. While their impressive start to the season suggests a higher seed might be warranted, setbacks such as a significant loss to TCU and a shortage of quality victories have tempered expectations.
Miller's inaugural season has been marked by her ability to cultivate a competitive roster, blending experienced seniors with promising underclassmen and returning players. The team's strong defensive performance reflects the culture she has established. Although winning the Big 12 regular season title may be out of reach, Arizona State is poised to secure a top-five finish in the league standings with upcoming matchups against several competitive teams.
```