TEMPE – Arizona State men’s basketball could make history on Saturday, but not in a good way. Since Desert Financial Arena opened in 1974, ASU has never lost more than eight home games in a row. On Saturday, that could change. Head coach Bobby Hurley’s squad is tied with the record, and against a talented No. 9 Texas Tech, that mark could be broken. Nine straight home losses would be a perfect ending to a 2024-2025 Sun Devils team that was anything but that and could be the Hurley Era at ASU.
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Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley looks towards the scoreboard against BYU during Big 12 conference play at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 26, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
After starting the season at 10-3, ASU has gone 3-14 and is stranded as the 15th seed in its inaugural season in the Big 12. At 13-17, the Sun Devils are currently on pace for their lowest winning percentage in a season since 2011-2012 and the worst under Hurley. The 10-year ASU head coach has recorded a losing season in four of his last five seasons.
TUCSON, AZ – JANUARY 12: Head coach
Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 12, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Regardless, Hurley is still one of the best coaches in the program’s history, being second in wins (168) and NCAA tournament appearances (3). There’s no question that Hurley has improved ASU since his arrival. However, nine straight home losses and consistent years of second-half season collapse set a precedent for Sun Devils’ Athletic Director Graham Rossini to take action.
Feb 12, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a call in the second half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Throughout the years, Hurley has picked up marquee wins against ranked opponents to build up hope for either March Madness or next season. Saturday is the latest opportunity to repeat that feat and build confidence in a team that needs some before heading into the Big 12 tournament. ASU is locked in as the 15th seed in the conference bracket, but Hurley’s squad needs a major confidence booster before then, with Texas Tech filling that role.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
