TEMPE – Arizona State men’s basketball is at a crossroads. ASU is 4-12 in the Big 12 and has had soul-crushing losses. Sun Devils fans are looking for someone to blame, and all the fingers point at head coach Bobby Hurley. After starting 10-3, Hurley and his squad sit 13-14, with no glimmer of light towards the future.
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Feb 23, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley looks on during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Fans have asked for Hurley’s job for the past few years as disappointing seasons stack consecutively. Hurley has survived, but this season is different, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, who said ASU is one of the nine college basketball jobs that could open up after the season.
Borzello had this to say about Hurley:
“ASU finds itself in a fitting modern conundrum: pay nearly $3.5 million to fire Bobby Hurley or invest that money into basketball. Hurley is the second-winningest coach in program history and has made the second-most NCAA appearances with three trips in 10 seasons. (It would have been four had the tournament been held in 2020.)
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini has said publicly that reaching the NCAA tournament is an “expectation” for the program, a “minimum requirement” and “not a goal.” He also pointed to the onus on the greater organization for helping to accomplish that mandate.”
Nov 10, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley sends in a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
ASU is 60th in NET rankings, the most important metric for the NCAA tournament. Regardless, the Sun Devils are under .500, which might be enough to scare off the selection committee. Hurley is likely to fall short of Rossini’s expectation of making the NCAA tournament, which would make sense if Hurley’s job were open.
However, as Borzello mentions, ASU would have to pay out the rest of Hurley’s contract, which could hurt the program’s pursuit of players with NIL. Hurley just signed a two-year contract extension in 2024, which puts him in Tempe until after the 2025-2026 season. The possibility of Rossini not firing Hurley and waiting for his contract to expire next season is high.
The Sun Devils still have four more games and the Big 12 tournament this season. If Hurley wants to remain at ASU, he’ll need to finish the season strong, starting tonight against BYU.
ASU’s key to victory is stopping this BYU junior guard on Wednesday
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
