I can make an argument that Arizona State should be slightly favored for this neutral-site game Wednesday in Chicago. MSU is probably the better team at full strength but the Bulldogs' best player by far, All-SEC first-team Tolu Smith, will not debut this season until conference play due to injury. Forward KeShawn Murphy is also out hurt (not as long) and Shakeel Moore, a senior guard, will miss the first two due to suspension. The more I dig into this, the more I like the play. Arizona State has won seven straight openers under Bobby Hurley, who brought in a nice class of transfers.