LAS VEGAS – Arizona State men’s basketball entered Tuesday’s Big 12 first-round matchup against Kansas State how it has for the past month of the season: shorthanded. Head coach Bobby Hurley was without freshman center Jayden Quaintance and had limited minutes for senior guard Adam Miller, who’s been battling injury for the past few weeks. In its first season in the Big 12, ASU ended the year with a 3-15 conference record and the 15th seed in the tournament.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, the Sun Devils matched up well against a Wildcats team, splitting the season series. Despite the lethargic ending to the season, Hurley and his team had hoped to survive and advance. ASU had great showings from its starters, with four Sun Devils in double figures. At last, senior forward Coleman Hawkins dropped a season-high 26 points that put ASU down early and couldn’t muster the offense to make the comeback in the 71-66 loss.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley calls a timeout as TCU widens its lead during a game at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 15, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Despite some great individual performances, the Sun Devils shot 38.3% from the field and 26.9% from 3 as a team. Kansas State gave its chances late but couldn’t capitalize, ending ASU’s season.
1st Half: Kansas State Hawkins’ hot shooting stuns ASU
Jan 14, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Coleman Hawkins (33) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Kansas State entered Tuesday struggling from beyond the arc, shooting 22.2% in its past five games. However, it didn’t matter for senior forward Coleman Hawkins, who started the game 3-for-3 from the 3-point line and helped the Wildcats jump to a 12-1 lead within the first few minutes. Hawkins scored 11 of Kansas State’s first 17 points, with the team starting the game 5-for-5 from the perimeter.
In the teams’ first encounter, ASU started the game on a 15-0 run, only to lose the lead before halftime. In tonight’s game, the roles reversed, with the Wildcats jumping to a double-digit lead only for the Sun Devils to go on a 15-2 run to tie the game.
Feb 23, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Alston Mason (1) makes a layup during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Senior guard Alston Mason fueled the run with back-to-back 3’s for a strong response to Hawkins’ hot shooting start. ASU started the game 1-for-5 from the 3-point line and then made the following four 3-pointers to get its first lead of the day, 25-23.
The lead wouldn’t last long, as Hawkins led a 9-0 run where the Sun Devils went on a five-minute scoring drought. Hawkins finished the half with 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting, halting ASU’s momentum entering the break up 38-31.
2nd Half: ASU’s late run not enough to overcome deficit
Points were like pulling teeth for both teams to start the second half. ASU started 3-for-11, while Kansas State shot 5-for-12. Any Sun Devils bucket was responded to by the Wildcats in the following possession. ASU couldn’t build consistent stops while scoring, as it went through a 1-for-7 stretch midway through the second half.
The Sun Devils flirted with cutting the deficit under double digits the entire half but got its first serious push after Hawkins went to the bench. The senior forward sat for only a minute, but it was enough for ASU to go on an 8-0 run, led by freshman guard Joson Sanon, who finished with 13 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
Feb 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Joson Sanon (3) shoots over Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during the second half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Kansas State went through a four-minute field goal drought, with the Hurley electing to double Hawkins and make other Wildcats beat the Sun Devils. Junior center Shawn Phillips Jr. had three second-half blocks and was stellar in picking up ASU’s rim protection.
Feb 12, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) goes to the basket against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) and guard Elijah Hawkins (3) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Phillips Jr. kept his team alive with his presence on both ends, finishing Tuesday’s game with 11 points and 13 rebounds, seven of which were offensive rebounds. The seven-footer helped cut the lead to four points with a minute left, but an and-one from forward David N’Guessan sealed the game and ended ASU’s season.
The Sun Devils were one and done in their first inaugural appearance in the Big 12 tournament, ending a hectic 2024-2025 season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
