WHAT: No. 24 Sun Devil WBB (3-2) vs. Boston University (1-5)
WHEN: Saturday at Noon MT
WHERE: Wells Fargo Arena • Tempe, Arizona • Traffic Info for this weekend's games
LIVE STREAM: http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university
LIVE AUDIO: TuneIn.com

UP NEXT
Coming off a split at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout, the No. 24 Arizona State women's basketball team (3-2) returns to Wells Fargo Arena this weekend to host the annual ASU Classic, which will feature Boston University (1-5), No. 19 Florida (5-1) and Long Beach State (3-3).
 
Saturday Schedule
Game 1 – ASU vs. Boston University – Noon
Game 2 – Long Beach State vs. No. 19 Florida (25 minutes after game 1)
 
Sunday Schedule
Game 1 – Boston University vs. Long Beach State/No. 19 Florida – 11:30 a.m.
Game 2 – ASU vs.  Long Beach State/No. 19 Florida – 2 p.m.
 
The Sun Devils are currently in the middle of a stretch in which they are playing five of seven games away from home. ASU started the string of games with a 75-63 setback at Marquette on Nov. 19. The Sun Devils then traveled to Las Vegas where they lost to current fifth-ranked Maryland before bouncing back to defeat St. Johns. After this weekend's games ASU will take a break for finals before going back out on the road for games at current No. 17 Kentucky (Dec. 11) and at Middle Tennessee (Dec. 13).

The Sun Devils have won 12 of the last 15 ASU Classics going back to the 2001-02 season. The three times that ASU did not win both games in that span occurred in 2007, 2012 and 2015. Of those three, last year's ASU Classic was the only in that stretch in which the Sun Devils did not advance to the championship game.
 
COVERAGE
All four games of the ASU Classic will be streamed at http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university. Live audio of both of ASU's games can be heard on the Sun Devil Athletics Tune-In Channel. Pre-game coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 13th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
 
SERIES NOTES
ASU's only previous meeting against Boston University came in the first round of the 2006 ASU Classic, a game won by the Sun Devils 75-53.

Looking ahead to ASU's potential opponents on Sunday, the Sun Devils have won one of their previous three meetings against Florida. All three meetings have taken place at neutral sites. ASU was victorious in the most recent contest, 74-58, at the 2012 South Point Thanksgiving Shootout. Florida won the first encounter 73-62 at the 1990 Richmond Invitational in Richmond, Va. The Gators would come out on top again, 65-60, at the 2008 Junkanoo Jam (Freeport, Bahamas).

ASU is 2-15 in the all-time series vs. Long Beach State. The most recent meeting took place in the championship game of the 2013 ASU Classic, a game won by the Sun Devils in overtime (74-67). ASU Classic Tournament MVP Sophie Brunner scored 12 of her 17 points in the second half and overtime while Kelsey Moos added 13 points and six rebounds to help lead ASU to the win.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• This year's Sun Devil squad returns three senior starters – posts Sophie Brunner, Quinn Dornstauder and Kelsey Moos – from the 2015-16 team that captured a share of the Pac-12 regular season title, won 26 games (tied for third-highest win total in program history) and went on to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest placement in program history. In addition, 2016 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Charli Turner Thorne  also welcomes a five-member freshman class – Sydney Goodson, Reili Richardson, Jamie Ruden, Kiara Russell and Robbi Ryan – that was ranked among the nation's top 10 signing classes when it was announced last fall, and Sara Hattis, a graduate post who will be eligible to play this season after transferring to ASU from the University of Texas in May.
• The Sun Devils opened the season ranked No. 18 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the USA Today coaches poll. They remained there after going 2-0 opening weekend. They fell five spots in both polls after losing at Marquette (Nov. 19). ASU's streak of appearing in 35 consecutive AP polls came to an end after splitting last week's game at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout. The Sun Devils were 24th in this week's USA Today coaches poll.
• Sophie Brunner became the 22nd Sun Devil to reach 1,000 career points in last Sunday's win over St. John's
• Quinn Dornstauder (95 career blocks) needs four blocks to move into a tie for fourth place (Fran Ciak/99/1987-90) on ASU's all-time list and five blocks to move into a tie for third place (100/Becca Tobin/2008-11).
• ASU's five member freshman class – Sydney Goodson, Reili Richardson, Jamie Ruden, Kiara Russell and Robbi Ryan – combined for 60 points and 19 assists the first two wins of the season. Richardson was named the Pac-12's Freshman of the Week after averaging 9.0 points and 5.5 assists while connecting on 58 percent of her shots in the two wins. Richardson, who had seven points and seven assists in her Sun Devil debut, tied fellow freshman Robbi Ryan with a game-high 11 points (4-7 FGs) to go along with four assists in ASU's 82-37 win over San Jose State. Ryan scored 19 points in ASU's loss at Marquette (Nov. 19). The 19 points represent the most scored by a Sun Devil in the first four games of the season.
 
QUICK PLAYER NOTES
Sophie Brunner: A starter in 89 of 100 career games, in 2016 Brunner earned honorable mention recognition on the 2016 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team, the first Sun Devil to earn all-America notice since Briann January in 2009...Brunner is ASU's active leader in points (1,007), rebounds (704 - 3rd on ASU's all-time list), assists (130) and steals (146). Is also 2nd on ASU's all-time list for most rebounds (56) in the NCAA Tournament...Currently leads the team in scoring (10.0 ppg) and steals (1.6 spg) and is second rebounding (5.6 rpg) and FG percentage (51.2)...Scored season-high 15 points in win over St. John's (Nov. 26).

Quinn Dornstauder: Has played in 100 career games (31 starts) and is ASU's active leader in career blocks (95/5th on ASU's all-time list)...Moved into starting role in 2015-16 after coming off the bench her first two seasons and continued to be a strong offensive presence, accounting for 3 of ASU's 4 highest single-game point totals...Currently leads the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and is blocked shots (0.8 bpg) and is fourth in scoring (6.6 ppg)...Scored season-high 12 points in win over St. John's (Nov. 26).

Kelsey Moos: Has started 94 of 96 career games and has been first (2014 - 6.6 rpg) or second (2015 - 5.4/2016 - 6.0) on the team in rebounds each of her first three seasons...Was also second on the team in field goal percentage in 2014 and 2015...Earned Pac-12 Defensive honorable mention recognition and was also named to the Pac-12's All-Academic first team for the second straight season last year...Earned her Communication degree in only 3 years (May 2016) and is currently pursuing Master's Degree in Liberal Studies...Currently tied for the team lead in both steals (1.6 spg) and 3-pointers (5) and is third in rebounding (4.4 rpg)...Had a career-high six steals in season opening win over Illinois State (Nov. 11).

Sara Hattis: Came to ASU this past May as a four-year transfer from the University of Texas ...An exceptionally talented athlete, Hattis was a member of both the Longhorn volleyball and women's basketball squads in 2012-13 and 2014-15 before committing to basketball on a year-round basis prior to the 2015-16 academic year...Hattis played in 51 games in her three seasons as a member of the Longhorn women's basketball team (joined the squad after the conclusion of volleyball season in 2012-13 and 2014-15)...Has played in four games this season (3-6 FGs/4.3 rpg)...Posted a career-high three blocks vs. Maryland (Nov. 25).

Courtney Ekmark: Valley native who transferred to ASU in June 2016 after playing two seasons for UConn where she was part of two national championship teams...Per NCAA transfer rules, will have to sit out the 2016-17 season, but will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2017-18 season...In her three years playing for Phoenix St. Mary's, helped lead the Knights to an 87-3 record that included a 49-game winning streak, three straight Division I State Titles, a No. 1 ranking in the USA Today Super 25 in 2012 and a No. 2 ranking in 2013.

Sabrina Haines: Earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention honors in 2016 after she played in every game and led the team in FT percentage (86.7/39-45), was 2nd in 3-point FG pct. (31.9/15-47 ) and 4th in 3-pointers (15)...Posted season highs in scoring (19 points/5-7 FGs) and rebounds (6) in win at Washington State (Jan. 10, 2016). Scored 14 of her 19 points in the second half...Has started all five games this season and is currently second on the team in assists (2.8 apg) and tied for third steals (1.2 spg).

Charnea Johnson-Chapman: Expected to seeing more playing time this season after playing in 25 games as a freshman...Scored a 2015-16 season-high 8 points (4-4 FGs) in win at Hawaii (Nov. 28) and grabbed season-high 5 rebounds in win over CSUN (Dec. 28)...Has played in every game this season and is currently tied for the team lead in blocks (0.8 bpg).

Kianna Ibis: Outstanding offensive talent who was slowed freshman year by knee injury suffered senior year of high school... Played in 31 games last season and connected on 59 percent (17-29) of her shots in the final 9 games of the season...Tied for the team lead with a career-high 14 points and knocked down her first career 3-pointer in Pac-12 quarterfinal vs. Cal (Mar. 4)...Has played in every game this season and is averaging 4.0 ppg.

Armani Hawkins: Played in 10 games as a freshman and logged a season-high 7 minutes 3x...Scored in 7 games and had a career-high 3 steals vs. CSUN (Dec. 28)... Played with sister, Arnecia, who was a senior on last year's team... Has played in every game this season and currently leads the team in FG pct (61.5/8-13)...Scored a career-high 14 points in season opening win over Illinois State (Nov. 11).

Sydney Goodson: A 2016 graduate of Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Texas), who was as one of key players in helping lead her Liberty High School team to back-to-back state titles in 2015-16...Was named the Denton Chronicle's Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 after averaging 17.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals per game...Has played in three games and is currently third on the team in 3-point FG percentage (40.0).

Reili Richardson:  A 2016 graduate of Brea High School (Brea, Calif.), where she was a four-year member of the varsity squad and accumulated career totals of 1,731 points and 504 rebounds in 105 career games...In May 2016, participated in the USA Women's U18 National Team Trials...Has played in every game and currently leads the team in assists (4.3 apg) and both free throws made (12) and attempted (15) and is third in both scoring (7.6 ppg) and steals (1.2 spg)...Was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after averaging 9.0 points and 5.5 assists in ASU's wins over Illinois State (Nov. 11) and San Jose State (Nov. 13)...Scored season-high 12 points vs. No. 6 Maryland (Nov. 25).

Jamie Ruden: A 2016 graduate of John Marshall High School (Rochester, Minn.), Ruden was a two-time AP First-Team All-State honoree, member of the James Naismith All-American team and a finalist for Minnesota's Miss Basketball award who concluded her five-year varsity career (was member of varsity since eighth grade) as Rochester's all-time leading scorer, boy or girl, with 2,671 points while also pulling down for than 1,000 career rebounds...Has played in four games and is fifth on team in FG pct (46.2)...Has scored a season-high six points on two occasions.

Kiara Russell: A 2016 graduate of Osseo High School (Osseo, Minn), Russell was named a Ms. Minnesota Basketball finalist, a Gatorade Player of the year finalist and was named to the Star Tribune First Team...Was named to the AP's All-State Second Team as a senior and was selected to play in the Minnesota Girls Basketball All-Star Game... Has started each of ASU's first five games at point guard and is currently third on the team in both assists (2.0 apg) and field goal percentage (50.0) and is fifth in scoring (6.2 ppg).

Robbi Ryan: A 2016 graduate of Sheridan High School (Sheridan, Wyo.), Ryan was a four-time First Team All-State selection and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for the State of Wyoming, who would go on to be named Ms. Wyoming Basketball 2016...Has played in all five games and is currently tied for the team lead in 3-pointers (5), is second in scoring (8.0 ppg) and fifth in steals (1.0 ppg)...Averaged 9.0 ppg opening weekend and tied with fellow freshman Reili Richardson with a game-high 11 points to go along with eight rebounds in win vs. San Jose State (Nov. 13)...Led the team with 19 points (8-14 FGs) in loss at Marquette (Nov. 19).
 
CHARLI TURNER THORNE HAS SUN DEVIL WBB AMONG NATION'S ELITE
The all-time winningest coach in program history and No. 2 in the Pac-12 in career wins (383), Charli Turner Thorne has turned Sun Devil women's basketball into one of the nation's premiere programs since taking over in 1996-97. Included in ASU's earlier run of 13 consecutive postseason appearances (2000-12) were a school record five-consecutive NCAA Tournament bids from 2005-09. During that time the Sun Devils qualified for the Elite Eight on a pair of occasions, making ASU one of only 15 programs in the country to have qualified for the Elite Eight at least two times between 2007-12.

In 2013-14 Turner Thorne, who recorded both the 400th win of her coaching career and her 200th Pac-12 win last season, raised the curtain on the team's current era of success as she helped the Sun Devils post one of the best turnarounds in the country as they went from a 13-18 record and a ninth-place Pac-12 finish (5-13) in 2012-13 to a 23-10 record and fourth-place Pac-12 finish (11-7). Included among ASU's 23 wins in 2013-14 were three triumphs over Top 25 teams.

In 2015-16 Turner Thorne was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year for a season in which she led the Sun Devils to their best start in school history (18-1), their best conference start in school history (7-0), a second-place finish in the Pac-12 and 29 wins, the second-highest number of wins in school history.

Under Turner Thorne's leadership the program ascended to even greater heights last season. In the month of January alone the Sun Devils posted the best conference start in school history (9-0), equalled the highest AP ranking in school history (No. 8) and matched the school record for consecutive wins (15). They would go on to clinch their first Pac-12 regular season championship since 2001 and earned the highest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 2) in program history.

The outstanding success Sun Devil women's basketball has enjoyed under Turner Thorne is a 180-degree difference from the program that had an aggregate record of 20-60 in the three years prior to her arrival and only two NCAA Tournament wins in its history.
 
NOTES
• ASU was picked to finish in fourth place in the Pac-12 by both the league's coaches and media who cover the conference. The Sun Devils received one first-place vote in the media poll.
• Over the last three seasons ASU is 34-7 in non-conference games and 45-6 at home.
• ASU is 31-5 in regular season Pac-12 games the last two season. Prior to its loss at Oregon State on Feb. 1, 2016, ASU's 9-0 record in Pac-12 play was its best conference start in program history (surpassed last 7-0 start in 2015).
• ASU has allowed an average of only 55.4 points per game since the start of the 2014-15 season (73 games). On average, opposing teams scored more than 15.0 points under their scoring average when facing ASU last season. In fact, only two opponents (Marquette and Tennessee), scored more points than what they averaged coming into their respective games vs. ASU.
• In the last three seasons the Sun Devils are 25-6 in games decided by five points or less and/or overtime.
• Since the 1996-97 season, Turner Thorne's first season at ASU, the Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 in the number of first-team All-Academic conference awards (19) and the combined number of first- and second-team All-Academic conference awards (40). In 2014-15 ASU's team GPA (3.558) was No. 7 on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) 2015 Academic Honor Roll.

SUN DEVIL WBB IN COSTA RICA
Over the summer the Sun Devil women's basketball did a six-day foreign tour of Costa Rica. Every four years the program is allowed to take a foreign tour to a destination where it plays games and partakes in a variety of team bonding activities in addition to volunteering time in the community.

 The Sun Devils, who graduated five players from last year's team that won a share of the regular season Pac-12 title, won all four games during their stay in Costa Rica. From a basketball standpoint the trip was an invaluable experience for a relatively young team. While ASU returns its entire starting frontcourt this season in the form of seniors Sophie Brunner, Quinn Dornstauder and Kelsey Moos, they are also adding seven new members.

Following its first official practice of the season in October, Charli Turner Thorne said that having the practices prior to the trip and the games in Costa Rica helped to smooth the transition with such a new team.

"Obviously the fact we got some summer practices in I think made it a lot less frantic," Turner Thorne said. "We had great energy and effort out there, but we are by no means peaking right now."

Turner Thorne said preseason practices are important for setting the tone for the upcoming season.

"This such an impactful time because once you get into the season your rest and recovery is so important," Turner Thorne said. "This is when you really lay your foundation and establish how you are going to play. You figure out who you are and try and get as good as you can because once you get into games you are never going to have this amount of quality reps and practice time."
 
CELEBRATING ELITE ACCOMPLISHMENT
This season will be the 10th anniversary of ASU's first ever appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight. Led by senior forwards Aubree Johnson and Emily Westerberg who were both named to the All-Pac-10 Team, ASU set school records for overall wins (31), most Pac-10 wins (16 - tied in 2016) and most road wins (10 - broken in 2016) With the honor, Westerberg became the first Sun Devil to be named to the All-Pac-10 Team three times. In addition to Johnson and Westerberg's accolades, sophomore guard Briann January was named All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention and guard Dymond Simon was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team.
 
SUN DEVIL WBB ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF EVA RUBIN AND BRE'YANNA SANDERS
On Nov. 9, 2016, Arizona State University head women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne today announced that student-athletes Eva Rubin and Bre'yanna Sanders signed national letters of intent to join the Sun Devil women's basketball program.

"We are excited to announce that Eva and Bre will be joining our Sun Devil women's basketball family," Turner Thorne said. "Both of these young women come from great families and will not only excel on the court but in the classroom and our community."

A 6-5 post, Rubin will be coming to ASU from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois, where she averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as a junior in 2016. Ranked No. 14 at her position by ESPN.com, Rubin earned Class 3A/4A All-State recognition from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association last season in addition to also being named to the All-Area and All-Conference teams. As a sophomore in 2015, Rubin helped lead her squad to a fourth-place finish in the IHSA 4A state tournament. During Homewood-Flossmoor's run in the tournament, Rubin tied a Class 4A single-game record with five blocked shots.

 A 6-0 forward, Sanders will be joining the Sun Devils from Clovis West High School in Fresno, California, where she has earned first-team All-Valley recognition in addition to being named the team's defensive player of the year each of the last two seasons. In 2016 Sanders averaged 11.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 blocks in helping lead her team to 30-4 record and the semifinals of the Southern California Regional Open Division. She would go on to be named the league co-player of the year. In 2015 Sanders had a big role on a team that posted a 26-5 record, its third straight Central Section Division I title and reached the second round of the Southern California Open Division regional.