Bobby Hurley reached the 150-win mark as ASU head coach on Thursday when the Sun Devil men’s basketball beat Utah 82-70.
The victory is a big addition to ASU’s resumé. Utah was No. 18 in NET rankings entering the game while the Sun Devils were 125th.
But the Sun Devils’ performance was a vintage Hurley win. Great defense, solid shooting and an all-around team win. The Devils shot 50% from the field and three players scored in double-figures with Jose Perez leading the way with 26 points.
The Sun Devils are continuing to find their identity, and it’s been a challenge to accomplish that early in the year. Jose Perez was added to the team in October. Adam Miller is just now finding the court in game situations. With injuries to Shawn Phillips and Zane Meeks, it’s been hard to see the full group (or almost full group) together on the court. It’s taken even more time to see all those pieces working together cohesively.
But Hurley and the crew can look back on this win – a win where ASU was massively (literally) out-sized. But they used their speed, their depth and their intensity to keep the Utes on their heels.
It could be the turning of the page and a new benchmark as the Devils are 3-0 in Pac-12 play.
Jordan Hamm
