Arizona State (18-9, 9-7) is at a critical juncture in the season, with all four of their remaining games against teams ahead of them in the Pac-12 standings. Not only is it an opportunity to make up ground, but also improve seeding at the 2023 Pac-12 Tournament. Prior to the game the program will honor a decorated and impactful senior class who will make their final appearance at Desert Financial Arena.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The Sun Devil Men's Basketball game against Utah will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network at 4 PM MST. Jordan Kent (play-by-play) and Eddie House (analyst) will be on the call. All 31 of Arizona State's games this season will be televised, with Coach Hurley's squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, CBS, and Pac-12 Network in addition to several major network affiliates. Listen to Jeff Munn and Kyle Dodd on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP). The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
RECENT MEETINGS
Arizona State has won four of the past five meetings with Utah, including a sweep of the season series in 2021-22. The Sun Devils knocked off Utah 63-61 in Tempe after previously defeating them in Salt Lake 64-62. ASU has won two straight meetings at home and two of the past three matchups on the road. The Utes sit in fourth-place and just one game ahead of Arizona State in the Pac-12 Conference standings.
GET TICKETS
Want to see one of the nation's best defensive teams in action? Have an itch to watch some high-flying dunks? How about a team in the midst of a postseason push? This is your last chance to catch a Sun Devil Men's Basketball home game and have an impact on our home-court advantage. Get tickets to the Utah game by visit the following link.
SENIOR DAY
Prior to the game Sun Devil Men's Basketball will honor the senior class in a pre-game ceremony. Families and friends of the seniors will be in attendance as they play at Desert Financial Arena and step onto Ned Wulk Court one final time. The seven-man class consists of forward John Olmsted, guard Micah Burno, guard Desmond Cambridge Jr., forward Devan Cambridge, center Warren Washington, guard Luther Muhammad, and guard DJ Horne. The group has combined to play in 619 games in their decorated collegiate careers and have left a significant impact on the program. Continuing reading for more information on the senior class.
LOCKING IT DOWN
Arizona State has been one of the best defensive teams in the country through 26 games, making it difficult on opposing offenses. The Sun Devils rank 7th in the nation holding opponents to just 38.8% shooting from the field. ASU is 7-0 this season when giving up less than 60 points and have held opponents to 40% or less from the field 15 games this season. ASU is 9-0 when opponents shoot under 35%.
TURNOVER MARGIN
The Sun Devils are one of only five teams in the Power 5, Big East and Mountain West to have forced double digit turnovers in each conference game this season. In fact, the Sun Devils have forced double-digit turnovers in 19 consecutive conference games dating back to last season, the most in the Pac-12 in that span. This is the 25th time in the last 27 games ASU has forced double-digit turnovers, and 52 of 58 dating back to the start of last season. ASU has won the turnover battle in four of its last five games. Arizona State forced 15 turnovers against Colorado at home after 20 on the road earlier this season. The +7 differential was tied for the largest for ASU this season.
COLLINS IS BALLIN'
Transfer point guard Frankie Collins has added a different dimension to the Sun Devils offense. Not only can he score at a high level, he has emerged one of the best passers in the conference. He has led the Sun Devils in assists in 17 of 25 games he's played, boasting the the fifth highest assist rate in the Pac-12 per KenPom. Collins' 4.5 assists per game is sixth in the Pac-12. He is one of only two players in the Pac-12 to average at least 10 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, joined by USC's Drew Peterson. Peterson averages 35.8 minutes per game while Collins does it in only 28.8 minutes per game.
BALANCED SCORING
A signature of the Arizona State offense has been the different individuals stepping up at the offensive end. The Maroon & Gold are averaging 70.7 points per game (fourth in the Pac-12) and four different Sun Devils are averaging at least 10.1 points per game or more (D.J. Horne, Frankie Collins, Desmond Cambridge Jr., Devan Cambridge). No one on the team averages over 30 minutes, with 10 players averaging at least 9.6 minutes per game. Arizona State has had three players - Desmond Cambridge Jr., Frankie Collins and DJ Horne - score at least 20 points at least twice. 11 different Sun Devils have scored 10 or more points in at least one game this season.
PROTECTING THE PAINT
Arizona State continues to find themselves near the top of the national rankings in blocks and rebounds per game. 12 players have recorded at least one block this season, led by Warren Washington's 46. Washington 1.84 blocks per game put him at 38th in the country and 3rd in the Pac-12. The Sun Devils are +103 in the paint this season. ASU has won the battle in the paint in its last three games. Arizona State has capitalized on its second chance opportunities as of late, winning the battle in four of its last five games and three straight.
DON'T COUNT US OUT
The Sun Devils have five halftime comebacks this year and three on the road (OSU, Colorado and SMU). Four of the five comebacks have come away from home, with the other one being a neutral site contest against VCU at the Legends Classic held in Brooklyn, NY. 18 of the 37 halftime comebacks under Coach Hurley have been in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 16 against Oregon State, making it the largest comeback since they overcame a 22-point deficit against Arizona on February 25, 2020. The win was also ASU's largest road comeback since trailing by 18 at Georgia on December 15, 2018.
While they didn't qualify as comebacks, in wins over Creighton and Stanford away from home, ASU withstood 16-0 and 14-0 runs respectively in the second half and still came away with a victory.
T-HORNE IN THE SIDE OF THE DEFENSE
DJ Horne led the Sun Devils in scoring against Colorado, reaching double figures for the fourth consecutive game. He hit five three pointers for the fifth time in a Sun Devil uniform and now has made 232 triples in 111 career games.
DEVAN DOES IT ALL
Transfer wing Devan Cambridge has been an intergral part of Arizona State's success this season, immediately earning a spot in the starting lineup. Cambridge averages over 10.1 points per game while shooting over 50% from the floor. His 5.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game are second on the team. He is one of only six players in the conference averaging over 10 points and at least 0.9 blocks, doing so in 26.9 minutes per game, the fewest of anyone in that group. The Sun Devils are 12-0 when Devan Cambridge scores in double figures.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Sun Devils have swept two road Pac-12 series this season (Oregon, Bays). It is the first time ASU has swept the Bay schools since 2019-20. ASU's six road wins are second in the Pac-12, more than Arizona, Utah and Oregon. In fact, ASU is tied for the most road wins in conference play this season (5). It is just the third time since joining the conference and the first since the 1980-81 season that Arizona State has swept two road series in the same season. Additionally, Arizona State is tied with Arizona for second most league play road wins at five. While ASU was able to earn a true-road win in the non-conference schedule, the Wildcats did not contest a single true-road game outside of conference play.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
The Sun Devils have the third best two point percentage defense in the nation according to KenPom. ASU has forced opponents to shoot under 50% from inside the arc in the last seven games. Coach Hurley's squad is 34th in KenPom's adjusted defensive effeciency metric.
SHARING THE ROCK
Arizona State has had at least 20 assists five times this season. It is the most such instances through 20 games since the Sun Devils, led by James Harden, had six in the 2008-09 season.
THE SUN DEVILS ARE...
- 14-1 when shooting at least 40% from the field & are 9-0 when shooting over 45%.
- 12-0 when out rebounding their opponents
- 10-6 advantage in fast break points against their league opponents this season.
COMFORTABLE WHEN IT'S CLOSE
Coach Hurley's team has played in a two-possession game in 11 of its first 26 contests, boasting a 8-3 record. After a four-point win over Stanford, the Sun Devils are 32-16 in two possession games over the last four seasons, trailing only Wisconsin for the most wins in the Division I during that span.
1. Wisconsin 34
Arizona State 32
3. Providence 31
Western Kentucky 31
5. Kansas 29
6. Miami (FL) 28
MILESTONE MOMENT
Fifth-year guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. reached a significant milestone in a win over Washington earlier in the season. He surpassed 2,000 career points, becoming the 10th active player in the NCAA to reach the mark. His 2,189 points rank 9th among active NCAA players and his 361 threes rank sixth among active players. He is one of four active players with over 2,180 points and 595 rebounds in his career and has played the fewest games of anyone to accomplish the feat. Cambridge Jr. also ranks 38th in career steals (174) and 45th in career blocks (142) among active players.
NAVIGATING THE NON-CONFERENCE
Arizona State was extremely successful in the non-conference portion of their schedule, finishing with an 8-2 record. That included several marquee victories away from home. The Sun Devils won the Legends Classic in Brooklyn with wins over VCU and No. 20 Michigan. The Maroon & Gold also traveled to SMU and defeated the Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Arguably the biggest win came in Las Vegas, when Coach Hurley's team withstood a big second half run to edge Creighton at the Jack Jones Hoopfest.
942 CREW GIVEAWAY
??SENIOR DAY TOMORROW??
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) February 17, 2023
@SunDevilHoops vs Utah at 4pm
A win moves us into position for a bye in the Pac-12 Tournament ???
STUDENTS! Help break last years season average for student attendance with one more great showing!!
Student Giveaway: Maroon @SparkySunDevil Pocket T???? pic.twitter.com/17jJOnshMq
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THANK YOU SENIORS!
Seven individuals left their mark on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program. Their work ethic, determination, and passion for the game ignited the fan base and resulted in several historic moments. They represent the program the right way on and off the court. Before they take the floor at Ned Wulk Court one final time, join us in honoring this distinguished group.
John Olmsted
Olmsted has been a member of the program for the past four years. The Morenci, Arizona native provided valuable size and strength in the post throughout his career. He played in 36 career games, making at least four appearances in each of his four seasons. Olmsted scored his first career points against Oregon during his sophomore season, playing critical minutes for the Sun Devils down the stretch in 2020-21. He earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Business and is now majoring in Strength and Conditioning.
Micah Burno
Burno has been a member of the program for the past four years. The guard out of Scottsdale started his career as a walk-on, but recently earned a scholarship for his final semester. Burno has played in 23 career games, making at least four appearances in each of his four seasons. He scored his first career points in a win over Cal last March and also got on the board in the Legends Classic Championship victory over No. 20 Michigan earlier this year. As an upperclassman he has stepped up as a leader, playing an important role in the locker room. He is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in Sports Business from W.P. Carey.
Desmond Cambridge Jr. and Devan Cambridge
The Cambridge brothers have captured the hearts of Sun Devil Nation, joining forces in Tempe for a brilliant final campaign. The Nashville, Tennessee natives have been mainstays in the starting lineup for Arizona State, providing many memorable moments. Desmond reached 2,000 career points in a victory over Washington earlier this season, one of only 11 active D1 players to accomplish the feat. Devan soared past 100 career games played and has not missed a single game this season. The duo combines to average 23.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and accounted for numerous clutch plays.
Warren Washington
Washington made the decision to spend his final year at Arizona State much to the delight of Sun Devil fans. The Escondido, California native has provided a vital presence down low, protecting the rim and drawing defensive attention. The 7-footer has started 24 games for the Sun Devils, leading the team in blocks and rebounds. He is one of the Top-30 shot blockers in the nation, anchoring a defensive unit that is Top-10 in opponent field goal percentage. He has scored in double figures nine times and collected 10 or more rebounds in four games. Washington also has multiple blocks in 15 games.
Luther Muhammad
Muhammad has been a member of the program for the past two years. The Newark, New Jersey native has been an integral part of the rotation since arriving on campus. He has played in 57 games over the past two seasons, averaging 4.6 points playing 15 minutes per game. Muhammad has been one of the most reliable Sun Devils from the free throw line, shooting 83% from the stripe at ASU. The do-it-all guard added 46 assists and 35 steals during his time in Tempe. He earned his Sociology degree from Arizona State in the Fall.
DJ Horne
Horne has been a member of the program for the past two years. The Raleigh, North Carolina native immediately earned a starting role upon his arrival in Tempe. Over the past two seasons he has played in 54 games, making 51 starts and delivering several clutch shots. As a Sun Devil he is averaging 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. Horne reached the 1,000-career point mark last season and has made over 250 three-point field goals in his career. He excels from the free throw line, shooting 84% in a Sun Devil uniform. He has scored in double figures 37 times over the past two seasons, including five 20-point games.
This also represents the final home game for our five senior managers. We take a moment to acknowledge their impact.
- Graduate Assistant Leilani Peat has had a significant influence in her one season with the program. She is pursuing a Master's degree in Sports Law and Business at Arizona State.
- Student Manager Jack Gatto has been a reliable presence with the program for all four years while pursuing a Sport Business undergraduate degree in the W.P. Carey School of Business.
- Student Manager Carter Coray has been with the program for the past year and wasted no time making an impact. He has been a valuable member of the manager staff while pursuing his undergraduate degree in Kinesology, boasting a 3.40 GPA.
- Student Manager Ricky Weipz has been with the program for all four years and served as the Head Manager this season. His commitment and effort were crucial to the operations of Sun Devil Men's Basketball. He graduated in the Fall from Cronkite with a degree in Sports Journalism, finishing with a 3.69 GPA.