LAS VEGAS –Arizona State men’s basketball begins its journey to shock the world tonight against Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. ASU is the 15th seed after finishing its conference schedule 3-15. The good news for the Sun Devils is that one of the three wins was to this Wildcats team.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the program’s two matchups this season, ASU controlled a majority of the game. However, head coach Bobby Hurley will be without a key part of the team’s identity, with freshman center Jayden Quaintance out for the entirety of the Big 12 tournament.
ASU center Jayden Quaintance (21) goes up for a dunk being fouled by GCU guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) during a game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Nov. 14, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Quaintance’s importance to ASU:
Quaintance is the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to the Sun Devils and illustrated his importance throughout the season with his stellar athletic ability on both ends. The freshman’s only weakness is his health. In the past month, Quaintance has been in and out of the lineup, dealing with an ankle injury.
He returned on February 23rd against Kansas State, where the 17-year-old dropped 18 points, seven rebounds, and three stocks. Quaintance was unstoppable until another ankle injury took him out for the rest of the game and the regular season.
ASU center Jayden Quaintance (21) reacts after his fifth foul against Iowa State during a game at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Jan. 25, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
In Quaintance’s absence, ASU has struggled defensively. In their last four games, the Sun Devils surrendered 97.0 points per game. Opponents are destroying the program beyond the arc, shooting 42.6% from the perimeter and averaging 12.3 made 3s a game.
How ASU can still win without Quaintance:
In ASU’s defense, three of those four games were against the top three scoring offenses in the Big 12. Kansas State will be a nice change of pace for Hurley’s squad. The Wildcats struggle from beyond the arc, shooting 22.2% from 3 in their past five games.
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
Even without Quiantance, ASU matchups up strong against Kansas State. Hurley will have the return of senior guard Adam Miller, who’s been dealing with injuries sustained during the BYU game. Dynamic guard play from senior Alston Mason and freshman Joson Sanon, who both dropped 25+ point games during this final stretch of the season. Junior center Shawn Phillips Jr. recorded a double-double in his lone appearance against Kansas State.
The 2024-2025 season has been everything but easy for ASU. Injuries, dismissals, and more have plagued the program this season, but it doesn’t have to be what defines it. Hurley is on the hot seat, with his job in serious jeopardy depending on how the team performs in the Big 12 tournament. March Madness might be a fever dream, but making it to next year isn’t for Hurley. Tuesday’s game’s importance to the future of the program is high. The outcome will be either the fall of a decade-long era for ASU or the birth of something special.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
