After a tough loss on Saturday night vs Texas Christian (TCU), ASU is not projected to win a single game over their last six. What was once started off as a very promising season at 9-2 to begin the year, came to a screeching halt as the Sun Devils are 3-11 in conference play. Riddled with injuries, bad games from their star players and everything in between. It seems like the Sun Devils simply cannot catch a break.
Over the last five games, the Sun Devils had been in literally all of the games until the final three to five minutes of the game. Is it coaching? Is it the players giving up? There is so much to break down once this season comes to a close in Kansas City after the Big XII tournament.
What is it going to take for Bobby Hurley?
After the loss at home to TCU, Bobby Hurley spoke to the elephant in the room during the post game press conference. He said that the players had lost faith in his ability to coach a close game and he had to change that. Arizona St has not won a game at home since Jan 4th vs Colorado. Bobby Hurley is 2-8 in the last 10 games and 0-6 at home since that day. It has been a somber 45 days in Desert Financial Arena. With several close calls, the team just hasn't been able to close out a game.
Leading at the 3 minute mark vs TCU. Leading at the 2 minute mark vs Kansas St. Losing by 1 vs Arizona with 6 minutes left. Leading Iowa St with 10 minutes left before scoring 5 points in the last 11 minutes of the game. All of these are examples of "What in the world happened" if you are a fan of the Sun Devils.
The first thing that Bobby Hurley has to do is to gain back the trust of his team. While I don't think that happens over night. There is never a better opportunity to show your team that you still got it than by playing #5 Houston just three nights after confessing to the media that you lost the locker room.
Arizona St vs the world
When it comes to basketball, Houston dominates Arizona St in every facet of the game. It just is what it is and there is no way around it. Kelvin Sampson has only lost 23 games at Houston dating back to the 2020-2021 season. Its safe to say that he is a pretty good coach, recruiter, facilitator, and everything in between. Coming into this game, KenPom has Houston ranked as the #3 defense and #10 offense in the nation, Arizona St is going to have their hands full on both ends of the ball.
Arizona St will be without big man phenom Jayden Quaintance as he has been nursing an ankle injury over the last few games. Seeing as Arizona St typically only plays with an eight man rotation. The loss of JQ, is crucial in a game like this. Phillips Jr has been seeing a majority of the minutes in JQ's absence. If Arizona St wants absolutely any chance at even being in this game late, it is going to fall on the back of Phillips Jr.
The Houston Cougars have too many guys that can beat you to come into this game with a "just stop this guy" mentality and we will have a shot. LJ Cryer, J.Wan Roberts, and Mylik Wilson all will be huge factors in this game tonight for the Cougars. Bobby Hurley & Co are going to need to play a error free game, and even then, it may be a far cry to see the Sun Devils ringing the bell in DFA tonight.
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