As the new year arrives so does conference play for the Sun Devils.
While the women already got their first couple Big 12 wins over Colorado & Utah, setting the program record for most consecutive victories at 15-0, the men are about to embark on their conference journey.
Molly Miller is off to a dream start in Tempe.
#ASU WBB coach Molly Miller on win over Colorado in Big 12 opener pic.twitter.com/NFCjdwenMn
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) December 22, 2025
Unsurprisingly, her team hangs its hat on the defensive end and has already developed chemistry that shows on the court.
They’ve pulled through in clutch moments like the three-point win over UNLV and two-point win at Gonzaga.
Behind forward McKinna Brackens’ 31 points and seven boards they beat the Utes by a point on the road.
Brackens is the type of talent that can post you up, go down hill, or knock down the elbow jumper – whatever’s necessary to get a bucket.
Even though they have an undersized roster, they make you earn everything. Six different Sun Devils notched a steal in the win.
Arizona State is now 15-0 on the season after beating Utah 69-68! McKinna Brackens finished with a career-high 31 points and 2 game-winning free throws!@SunDevilWBB has now tied the school record for consecutive wins at 15. pic.twitter.com/IZhwKpf0qZ
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) December 31, 2025
The undefeated record is no fluke, with the likes of Brackens, sophomore Heloisa Carrera, as well as guards Gabby Elliott and Marley Washenitz leading the way.
Our Jeff Metcalfe wrote a well-written feature on one of the roster’s leaders in Last-Tear Poa.
The Big 12 gut checks continue as they travel to BYU on January 3 at 2 PM.
In the locker room down the hall, ASU Men’s Basketball is 9-4 and stumbling into Big 12 competition on a two-game losing skid after dropping back-to-back matchups against the Bruins and Beavers.
After some bright moments early on like beating Texas, we’re starting to see the signs of impending conference doom.
MOE MONEY 😈 pic.twitter.com/lsfIP52TrR
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 25, 2025
Oregon State’s defensive plan was simple: make anyone but Moe Odum beat us.
Odum’s shot making ability demands that much attention for good reason. He’s attempted 60 more shots than the next guy so far (Diop).
Doesn’t help that it’s been easy for defenders to stay home on shooters with ASU matching this season’s three-point low with four treys made each of the last two games.
Anthony “Pig” Johnson and Massamba Diop have contributed by way of 13 points per game each & have shown the potential to be the reliable second scoring option this team needs.
There’s usually no shortage of talent on Bobby Hurley’s rosters but what they lack in that department they make up in the grit their head coach is known for.
Though they committed untimely fouls in the last pair of games and their defense had trouble defending the three, the “care factor” in this group is clear to see.
Hurley’s squads have often built up hope in the nonconference just to see it slip away in-conference.
What resolutions will Hurley & Co. bring into 2026?
They host the Buffs on January 3 at 3 PM.
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