TEMPE – Arizona State men’s basketball faces off against No. 24 Arizona for its second matchup of the year down in Tucson. ASU lost the first game in Tempe 81-72, and it feels like a lifetime ago with all that has happened to the program. The Sun Devils leading scorer, senior guard BJ Freeman, is no longer with the team. Head coach Bobby Hurley has had a rolodex of different lineups with all the injuries to his players. The result of all those factors has led the program to a 1-7 record since its last matchup with the Wildcats.
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Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley looks towards the scoreboard during Big 12 conference play against BYU at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 26, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
ASU hasn’t beaten Arizona by more than a point since March 3rd, 2019. It has only won two of its last 12 matches, one from a Desmond Cambridge miracle half-court shot at the buzzer and a Remy Martin takeover to erase a 20-point deficit. Besides those sensational individual moments/performances, the Sun Devils historically have been outmatched by the Wildcats for the past five years.
Hurley has a 4-16 record against Arizona, with a point differential of -231. In his few wins, he had scrappy defenses led offensively by dynamic scoring guards that carried the program’s lackluster offense. Heading into Tuesday’s matchup, ASU is lacking both of those requirements.
Feb 1, 2025; Tempe, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a call during a Big 12 mens basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cheryl Evans-Arizona Republic
The loss of Freeman has hurt the offense, and the injury to freshman center Jayden Quaintance has made the Sun Devils’ interior defense Swiss cheese. In the past seven games, ASU has allowed 85 points per game, notably against Utah, where it allowed 48 paint points.
Hurley has had to rely on freshman guards like Joson Sanon and Trevor Best, who was in high school two months ago, to lead the defensive charge on the perimeter, and it hasn’t translated to wins. Arizona boasts fifth-year guard Caleb Love, who dropped 27 points on ASU in the last matchup and will surely take advantage of the inexperienced defenders.
Mar 1, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) celebrates against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
The Sun Devils will enter Tucson undermanned, underdogs, and under the most pressure for Hurley’s tenure. The 10-year ASU coach is on the hot seat, and losing to Arizona, extending his losing streak to four games will only add fuel to the fire. However, during his tenure, Hurley has had signature late-season wins against ranked opponents that have rejuvenated the program heading into next season. Tuesday’s game aims to be that for Hurley and save himself from this nightmare season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
