PHOENIX – Tuesday’s game is David vs. Goliath. Arizona State men’s basketball is facing No. 5 Houston, which has only lost once since Nov. 30. The Cougars are on a four-game winning streak and have won 17 of their past 18 games. While the Sun Devils are on the opposite end of the spectrum, losing five in a row and 10 of its past 12 games.
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Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley reacts after a foul call against TCU during a game at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 15, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Houston didn’t get top five in the country by accident. In the Big 12, the Cougars have the best scoring defense, turnover margin, and 3-point percentage. They possess elite-level perimeter defenders, with seven players recording 19+ steals.
Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler built on his Big-12 All-Freshman Team selection from last season and has become a defensive force, averaging over two blocks a game. Tugler leads Houston in having one of the best paint defenses in the conference.
Feb 15, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) blocks a shot made by Arizona Wildcats forward Trey Townsend (4) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
ASU was able to match Texas Tech’s high-motor scoring offense, but it will struggle to match Houston’s lockdown defense. The Cougars get most of their scoring going downhill and attacking the rim. Junior guard Milos Uzan has found a rhythm, scoring eight straight games in double figures, including a seas0n-high 19 against Arizona.
The Sun Devils will struggle to contain Uzan without freshman center Jayden Quaintance, who remains out with an ankle sprain. Uzan isn’t the Cougars’ leading scorer, as graduate student guard L.J. Cryer averages 14.3 points. Cryer has six 20-point games and is one of Houston’s few 3-point shooters on the roster.
Head coach Bobby Hurley could be playing for his job Tuesday, needing a big-time win to save what is a disastrous second half of the season for ASU.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
