If Tuesday night was the last time a Bobby Hurley-led team plays at Desert Financial Arena, THAT is a hell of a way to do it.
The Sun Devils doubled up No. 14 Kansas in the first half 40-20 and survived a comeback from the Jayhawks to earn a marquee 70-60 win.
During the Devils’ senior day ceremony, the team honored Moe Odum, who had a game-high 23 points, Anthony “Pig” Johnson, who scored a crucial five points in a stretch where Kansas was pressing ASU, and Allen Mukeba, who has battled through injuries in the second half of the season and fought hard in the paint on Tuesday.
Hurley wore a “Guard U” hoodie on Tuesday. That era kick-started one of the best runs in the program’s history. What brought it to new heights was when the Devils faced a then non-conference opponent in the Jayhawks and took them down on the road.
Hurley’s future is uncertain with the program moving forward. He is in the tail-end of his final year on his contract. The head coach hasn’t shied away from acknowledging his back is against the wall regarding his future in Tempe.
Tuesday’s win could either be a fitting final act for a man who helped raise the profile of the program. Or it could be a shot in the arm to extend the Devils’ season into the postseason and help build a case to keep Hurley.
Regardless, Hurley focused on compiling this roster of high-character underdogs, and they continue to play hard for him.
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