Souvenir vendors at Arizona State expect brisk sales of T-shirts and souvenir buttons that say: "I Like Ike."

Now, it's up to Ike Diogu to prove that he's more than just a freshman sensation or one-year novelty. For now, his name and game are giving the Sun Devils reason to feel more optimistic than they have in years.

"It's time to take the second step," says Diogu, who won Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors last year and has created league-wide respect for the Sun Devils.

Second-year expectations can be a burden on many players. But if anybody is immune to a sophomore slump, Arizona State coach Rob Evans believes it is Diogu.

"He's just an unusual player, an unusual personality," Evans says. "He doesn't let anything bother him. Nothing gets in his way."

If the Diogu trend continues on its upward swing, the Sun Devils have legitimate hopes of finishing better than fourth in the Pac-10 and going beyond two games in the NCAA Tournament. Arizona State upset Memphis in its tournament opener but was embarrassed in a 32-point loss to Kansas.

"I think Ike remembers that loss," Evans says. "I think he'll use it."

The Suns Devils are counting on it.

FRONTCOURT

It starts and ends with Diogu. With the departure of senior forward Tommy Smith, Diogu is expected to assume an even larger role along the frontline. He was at center most of last season. But with Smith gone, the 6-foot-8 Diogu might move to power forward, his natural position.

Evans is confident he can use Diogu anywhere. "He's able to shoot the 3, if we need him to," Evans says. "You might see more of that. We also might ask him to put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop more often."

There's also a vacancy at small forward, which was an unsettled spot last year. Evans has several candidates, including incoming freshman Keith Wooden, redshirt freshman Serge Angounou and sophomore Allen Morill. Angounou showed great promise until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in an exhibition game last November. He's slowly working his way back into shape. Morill, an ex-boxer who failed to qualify academically last season, is a bruising rebounder. There's talk that Wooden will eventually be a center. For now, however, he'll fill whatever role he needs to as a complement to Diogu.

Evans may also decide to use a small lineup with returning swingmen Jamal Hill and Kenny Crandall. However, there are questions about both. Crandall is still coming back from a serious leg fracture, while Hill is trying to re-discover his shooting touch after falling into deep slump late last season.

BACKCOURT

With Curtis Millage gone, there are serious concerns in the backcourt. Junior Jason Braxton figures to be back as the starting playmaker, but his shooting -- 38.6 percent from the floor and a woeful 47.7 from the free throw line -- is a huge liability.

However, there might be some help waiting in the wings. Kevin Kruger, the son of former Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger, will be a redshirt freshman. The coach's son is a consummate playmaker and appears to be good shooter.

Tron Smith, Braxton's former teammate in Moreno Valley, Calif., is a candidate to take over for Millage at the 2-guard. Another possibility at shooting guard is newcomer Steve Moore, a transfer from Eastern Oklahoma State. Crandall and Hill also figure to be in the hunt for playing time in the backcourt.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Sun Devils finally broke through in Evans' fifth year on the job. Diogu got them there. The real question now is whether they have progressed far enough to become a perennial NCAA Tournament team.

The Sun Devils will be young. Their starting lineup could include two freshmen, possibly three. There is danger in the inexperience. But it's safe to predict that there will be plenty of leadership from Diogu, who is wise beyond his years. Last year, he worked as an apprentice. This year, Arizona State will be his team, and chances are it will be a good one.

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