Update: Saturday is Senior Night and Neon Night as ASU faces Washington, which reminds us of either a high school spirit day or a rave, which in retrospect pretty much describes Arizona State.

This explains the Harden plan. RT @brandonharaway:twitter.com/942Crew/status…

— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) February 21, 2013

Arizona State is the rival, but as an objective basketball fan, I won't be a fool and say that James Harden isn't an incredible basketball player. Truly, I enjoy watching him, and believe me when I say he's a great talent.

The Sun Devils appreciate it, too. So much so that they created a James Harden appreciation night on Wednesday as they faced the Washington State Cougars. A few problems with this:

For one, James Harden was not invited to James Harden appreciation night. I know this because the smart folks at ASU probably could have first looked at the Houston Rockets' schedule to determine when he'd be available to join them for his own evening of festivities. The Rockets had a date with Harden's former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Wednesday.

Secondly, the student section decided it'd be a good idea to remain silent until the Sun Devils scored their 13th point of the game.

One of ASU's student section leaders just announced they will remain silent tonight until ASU scores its 13th point in honor of James Harden

— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) February 21, 2013

Is this true? Are the ASU students really staying quiet on purpose?

— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) February 21, 2013

Seriously.

Of course, this backfired terribly. A slow start saw Wazzou take a 14-11 lead with 10:39 left in the first half.

It's 8 minutes in the game and ASU students still are not cheering

— Jason Scheer (@JasonScheer) February 21, 2013

ASU may have one of the worst student section ideas I have heard in a long time.

— Jason Scheer (@JasonScheer) February 21, 2013

Herb Sendek said he didn't know of students' plan to stay silent until after the game. He was thinking, "this is quietest gym I've been in."

— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) February 21, 2013

All this silent appreciation of James Harden went on as Harden appreciated his own talents by scoring 46 points on 14-of-19 shooting to go with six assists and eight rebounds in a 122-119 victory against his former team.

It was not immediately clear why ASU chose Feb. 20 as James Harden appreciation night. A quick glance at his collegiate profile and his Wikipedia page show no historic performance by Harden on any prior Feb. 20. Also, it was not his birthday.

I suppose it is illogical for me to search for logic in anything an ASU student section would do.

Even ASU's sports information official, Doug Tammaro, did not understand why the Sun Devil student section would make such a move.

Ya think? (Sarcastic tone and facial expression) RT @ericsals didnt make sense lol part of being student section is noise for home advantage

— Doug Tammaro (@DougTammaro) February 21, 2013

Students tried something wasn't perfect but ASU went on 20-8 run after 13th point.....so yeah it worked perfectly......yeah.....sort of.

— Doug Tammaro (@DougTammaro) February 21, 2013