TEMPE –Arizona State men’s basketball first-round opponent for its inaugural season in the Big 12 tournament has been revealed. After a full Saturday slate of conference games, ASU will play against Kansas State in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament, which begins on March 11th at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas.
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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
During the regular season, the Sun Devils are 1-1 against the Wildcats. In the previous two matchups, ASU has played extremely well against Kansas State. The program jumped to a 15-0 lead in its first matchup, and even after a nightmare second half, the Sun Devils were two freshman center Jayden Quiantance free throws away from pulling off the win.
The second matchup contained ASU’s best defensive performance of the year, as Kansas State scored 54 points at home. Quiantance dominated in Manhattan, dropping 18 points, seven rebounds, and three stocks. However, Quiantance’s availability for the first round is up in the air after suffering an injury in that Kansas State game.
Jan 21, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils forward Jayden Quaintance (21) dunks the ball during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Regardless of Quaintance’s status, Kansas State is a favorable draw for ASU, as it is one of the Big 12 programs the team has beaten this season. Of the Sun Devils’ three conference wins, two are against Colorado, and one is against the Wildcats. Arizona State has a realistic shot to move on to the next round.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
