TEMPE, Ariz. — Bobby Hurley is set to continue as head coach for Arizona State into his 11th season. In the wake of this decision, discussions have already begun surrounding the strategic changes Hurley plans to implement. Ahead of their match against Kansas State during the Big 12 Tournament’s opening round, a source, who requested anonymity, confirmed Hurley’s future with Arizona State despite their inability to clinch victory, succumbing to a 71-66 defeat.
Hurley maintains that Arizona State University (ASU) is fully committed to the team, citing adequate resources and support, including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding, that facilitated the recruitment of high-level talent. However, the season was hampered by injuries to key players, including standout freshmen whose contributions were limited due to significant injuries at different stages. Reflecting on these challenges, Hurley acknowledged the need for a broader roster to maintain team performance in case of player setbacks.
Tuesday night’s game highlighted these hurdles, with Arizona State playing their fifth game without star freshman Jayden Quaintance due to a right knee injury. Adam Miller returned to action despite being hindered by a strained oblique, which led to cramping issues, further limiting his effectiveness in the second half. As a result, a reduced rotation of seven players underscored the season’s difficulty.
Although the team entered the season with high expectations, injuries took a toll, compounded by the late-February dismissal of top scorer BJ Freeman. Alston Mason led the Sun Devils against Kansas State with 17 points and expressed that the unexpected injuries presented a challenging season.
Hurley, who still has one year left on his contract, has guided Arizona State to three NCAA tournament appearances during his tenure. However, the team has faced consecutive losing seasons recently, ending with a 13-19 record this year following a 14-18 finish the previous year. Hurley initially joined ASU in 2015, bringing with him impressive accolades from his time at Buffalo, where he led the team to their first NCAA Tournament berth. Under his leadership, Arizona State initially soared, achieving back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances by 2019.
Entering the 2017 season, Arizona State soared to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 rankings after starting 12-0. Hopes were high for a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2020, only for the COVID-19 pandemic to disrupt those ambitions. The pandemic brought uncertainty, and the team has struggled to regain its footing since.
Reflecting on lessons learned from competing in the Big 12, Hurley emphasized the necessity of building a deeper team. Facing formidable opponents, he recognized the need for increased depth and physicality, which would provide more strategic options during the demanding league schedule. Facing teams like BYU, Colorado, Kansas, and Baylor, he noted the importance of strength and versatility in navigating such matchups, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead in the league.
