TEMPE - Sun Devil Men's Basketball is celebrating Black History Month and honoring the past when they take on California Saturday at 1 PM MST.
Arizona State (11-10, 5-5) looks to end a three-game slide as they host California (8-13, 4-6) at Desert Financial Arena. This is the second meeting between the two sides, with the Maroon & Gold pulling off a come-from-behind victory in Berkeley back in December. Head Coach Bobby Hurley's squad will be wearing their Black Excellence Uniforms specially made by adidas in recognition of Black History Month. Several prominent Sun Devil Men's Basketball alumni will also be honored during a halftime ceremony as some of the program's most influential players make their way back to Tempe.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The broadcast of Sun Devil Men's Basketball's game on Saturday will be on Pac-12 Network when they take on California, scheduled for a 1 PM MST tip-off with Jordan Kent (play-by-play) and Matt Muehlebach (analyst) on the call. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP). The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
BLACK EXCELLENCE GAME
Celebrating Black Excellence ??
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) February 2, 2024
As part of recognizing Black History Month, @SunDevilHoops will wear their Black Excellence uniforms when they take on Cal tomorrow at 1 PM ??@TheSunDevils /// @adidasHoops pic.twitter.com/pRdLepJWeH
Debuting back in 2022, Arizona State's Black Excellence Uniforms will be worn at a home game for the third consecutive season. Honoring Black Excellence (HBE) is an adidas initiative celebrating the achievements of Black individuals, and Black culture as a whole. HBE is a year-round effort focused on authentic storytelling and co-creation. Honoring Black Excellence will continue to celebrate and honor those who continue to invest in their communities. For more information, visit adidas.com/us/honoring_black_excellence.
WELCOME BACK ALUMNI
Sun Devil Men's Basketball is excited to welcome back several distinguished alumni that will be honored during a halftime ceremony. This group includes some of the most influential members in the program's history. Here is who will be returning to Desert Financial Arena to be celebrated as part of ASU Men's Basketball Alumni Night (Listed Alphabetically).
Justin Allen, 1999-2004
James Andrisevic, 2002-2005
Serge Angounou, 2003-2006
Carlos Artis, 1992-1994
Jordan Bachynski, 2010-2014
Kendrick Bates, 1996-1997
John Brooking, 1959-1961
Joe Caldwell, 1961-1964
Lynn Collins, 1990-1992
Roger Detter, 1966-1969
Kyle Dodd, 2000-2002
Roger Farrington, 1995-1997
Torian Graham, 2017-2019
Matt Holman, 1995-1997
Michael Hopwood, 1968-1972
Bill Kennedy, 1971-1972
Donnell Knight, 1999-2003
Mickey Mitchell, 2017-2020
Lester Neal, 1991-1993
Al Schmelz, 1962-1965
William (Jerry) Stiteler, 1951-1955
Andrew Taylor, 2009-2014
Ron Warring, 1979-1981
MILESTONE ACHIEVED
Bobby Hurley secured his 150th victory as the head coach of Sun Devil Men's Basketball over Utah on Jan. 4. The win makes him just the third coach in program history to win 150 games at ASU.
ASU MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH CAREER WINS
406, Ned Wulk (1957-82)
159, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
152, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
Hurley also collected his 75th win in Pac-12 Conference play earlier in the season, the most of any coach in program history (Pac-10/12 era).
ASU MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH CAREER PAC-10/12 WINS
76, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
72, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
67, Bill Frieder (1990-97)
55, Rob Evans (1999-06)
46, Ned Wulk (1978-82)
ABOUT THOSE SUN DEVIL WINS
Coach Hurley has notched 152 wins at Arizona State and has done it while scheduling aggressively and not being afraid to play on the road. He has won 96 games in Arizona, but also has won at least five games in California (14), Nevada (12), Oregon (six) and Washington (five). Three wins have taken place in New York and Utah, with two wins taking place in Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Single wins have taken place in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey and Texas.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Despite Thursday's loss Arizona State is still off to a tremendous start at home this season, boasting a 8-2 record. This included wins in non-conference over strong mid-major competition in San Francisco, SMU, and UMass Lowell. In Pac-12 play, ASU picked up an impressive 82-67 victory over USC in front of a season-high 13,743 fans. So far this season, ASU is outscoring opponents 728-666 at home. They average 72.8 points and by contrast are only giving up 66.6 points. Dating back to last season, ASU has won 11 of their last 15 at Desert Financial Arena.
COMEBACK VS. CAL
Trailing by as many as 16 early in the second half, the Sun Devils doubled up Cal in scoring, 32-15 over the last 9:30 to come back from 15 down to win in the first meeting between the two sides back in December. Frankie Collins scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to spark the comeback.
942 CREW GIVEAWAY
ATTENTION DEVILS! ????
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) February 1, 2024
Don't forget to grab your tickets ??? for @SunDevilHoops BOTH 2/1 @ 7PM for Neon Night AND 2/3 @ 1PM for the Black History Month Game!!!
WE NEED YOU THERE?????? pic.twitter.com/WqBC7cbFZt
GET TICKETS
Tickets for Sun Devil Men's Basketball 2023-24 conference games are on sale now. Ticket packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features upcoming matchups with Cal, Washington and Arizona. Season Tickets and Mini Plans are still available. For more information or questions, please call 480-965-5812 or email sundeviltickets@asu.edu.
I'LL TAKE THAT
Through 21 games of the 2023-24 season, Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation. Collins has 68 steals, putting him second in the country in the category. He is currently second in the nation in steals per game, averaging 3.24 per contest. He matched a program-record with eight steals in the victory over UMass Lowell and has 13 3+-steal performance already this season. Collins is on pace for 100 steals over a 31-game regular season, which would shatter the program record (76 – Lafayette Lever, 1982). He is looking to become only the fourth player in Pac-10/12 history to record a 100-steal season. His 64 steals are 28 MORE than any other player in the Pac-12 and he has four games with 6+ steals.
MOST STEALS IN CONFERENCE HISTORY (SINGLE SEASON)
126 - Matisse Thybulle (Washington), 2019
110 - Jason Kidd (California), 1993
101 - Matisse Thybulle (Washington), 2018
100 - Gary Payton (Oregon State), 1990
*Frankie Collins on pace for 100 steals
FRANKIE DOES IT ALL
Guard Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the top all-around players in the Pac-12 Conference. He is currently THE ONLY PLAYER in the nation averaging at least 13.6 points (1st on team), 4.8 rebounds (2nd on team), 3.6 assists (1st on team), and 3.2 steals (1st on team). Collins is stuffing the stat sheet in a historic manner while playing only 32.2 minutes per game (12th in the conference). Collins has reached double figures scoring in 19 of the 21 games this season.
COMFORTABLE WHEN IT'S CLOSE
After going 12-5 in games decided by six points or less (two possessions) last year, the Sun Devils are 5-2 in such games so far this season. Coach Hurley's team beat Stanford by three and Cal by two, adding to the strong record. Arizona State is now 40-20 (.666) in close games over the past five seasons. The 40 wins are the most in the nation during that span. ASU is 5-1 in games decided by three points or fewer this season. To take it a step further, ASU is 6-2 over its last seven tilts when the game is decided by a two-point deficit or less. Overall ASU is 25-16 in two point or less games under Bobby Hurley.
DON'T COUNT US OUT
Arizona State has come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 43 times during the Bobby Hurley era, including in both games on the Bay Area road trip to start of Pac-12 play. They trailed by nine points against the Cardinal at the break before pulling off a 76-73 victory. Two days later, they found themselves trailing Cal by ten at half before storming back to come away with a 71-69 win. The 10-point halftime comeback was the fifth in which ASU made up a double-digit deficit under Hurley. It was the first time in the Hurley era that Arizona State has completed consecutive road halftime deficit comeback wins. Since 2015-16, the Sun Devils are Top-15 in the nation and lead the Pac-12 with their 43 halftime comeback victories.
2023-24 (4)
(-10) Cal 35, ASU 25/Dec. 31, 2023/ASU 71, Cal 69
(-9) Stanford 37, ASU 28/Dec. 29, 2023/ASU 76, Stanford 73
(-3) SMU 40, ASU 36/Dec. 6, 2023/ASU 76, SMU 74
(-9) UMass Lowell 31, ASU 22/Nov. 16, 2023/ASU 71, UMass Lowell 69
ASU trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half of the Cal game, making this the second straight season in which they overcame a deficit of at least 16 to win a conference game. The Sun Devils won at Oregon St on 1/14/23 after trailing by as many as 16 in the first half.
ZO SAYS NO
Sun Devil forward Alonzo Gaffney is one of the most versatile defenders in the Pac-12 and is a key to the Arizona State defense. He is the ONLY PLAYER in the conference with at least 29 blocks and 25 steals this season. He recently surpassed the 100-game mark in his Division I career.
ASU RECORD BY STARTING LINEUP
Due injuries to Shawn Phillips Jr. and Zane Meeks early in the season, the Sun Devils have been shorthanded most of the year. With Adam Miller gaining eligibility midway through the campaign, fluctuation continues with Arizona State's roster. This has resulted in Coach Hurley using six different starting lineup combinations through their first 21 games. Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal are the only two Sun Devils to have started every game. ASU has at least one win with four different lineup combinations.
Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney (5-7)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Bryant Selebangue, Alonzo Gaffney (4-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney (0-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr. (0-1)
PEREZ WILL MAKE YOU PAY
Graduate transfer Jose Perez has been a huge addition to the Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. He is one of the best players in the country at getting to the free-throw line. He set a new career-high against SMU earlier in the year, attempting 15 free throws in the victory. Perez has now attempted 687 free throws in his career, the fifth-highest total among active NCAA Division I players. His 511 made free-throws puts him ninth among active NCAA Division I players. Perez is a career 74.4% shooter from the charity stripe and is 26-for-29 (89.7%) over his last six games. He currently ranks 44th in the nation and first in the Pac-12 this year with 132 free throw attempts.
Perez is one of only 18 active players at the NCAA Division I level that has reached 1,740 career points (1,742) and 400 career assists (400). Perez has the third-fewest total games played (118) of any player on the list (James Bishop IV, George Washington - 116; Mark Sears, Alabama, 117). In the win over Stanford, he secured his 500th career rebound, making him one of only 23 active players at the Division I level with 1,740 career points and 530 career rebounds (530). To take it a step further, Perez dished out his 400th career assist in the second meeting with Stanford, meaning he is now one of only EIGHT players at the NCAA Division I level with at least 1,740 points, 400 assists, AND 530 rebounds in their career (Tristen Newton - UConn, RayJ Dennis - Baylor, Andrew Taylor - Mississippi State, Marcus Domask - Illinois, Baylor Scheierman - Creighton, Jahmir Yong - Maryland, Aaron Estrada, Alabama). He is one of only 7 players in the Pac-12 to have six or more 20+ point performances.
GAMES PLAYED (2023-24 | Career)
Alonzo Gaffney played in his 100th career game at the Division I level against Washington. He becomes the third Sun Devil on the current roster to reach that mark, joining Zane Meeks and Jose Perez. ASU has seven players with over 75 games of experience at the Division I level.
Kamari Lands - 21 | 53
Frankie Collins - 21 | 87
Braelon Green - 18 | 18
Brycen Long - 6 | 90
Jamiya Neal - 21 | 82
Malachi Davis - 7 | 7
Alonzo Gaffney - 21 | 105
Shawn Phillips Jr. - 13 | 33
Bobby Hurley - 4 | 16
Jose Perez - 21 | 118
Zane Meeks - 5 | 110
Akil Watson - 15 | 15
Bryant Selebangue - 21 | 51
Adam Miller - 12 | 76
Sun Devils have a combined 861 games of experience at the Division I Level (includes previous school).
70-POINT MARK
Arizona State have just two losses this season when they score 70+ points (at San Diego & at Oregon State). They are 10-2 in such games this season. ASU is averaging 75.4 points in their 11 wins and 62.1 points in their ten losses. By contrast, the Sun Devils are holding opponents to 66.9 points in their 11 wins and allowing 76.6 points in their ten losses.
THREE-POINT NOTE
The Sun Devils have made at least one three-point field goal in 725 consecutive games dating back to 2/10/2001.
CONSTANT COMPETITION
Coach Hurley has challenged his team with an extremely difficult non-conference slate. Sun Devil Men's Basketball was ready for Pac-12 play after facing one of the toughest schedules in the country so far this season. Here is a closer look at who ASU has played this season.
- Mississippi State - 14-7 record; ranked four weeks in AP Poll; undefeated in neutral sites; NET of 37; win over No. 5 Tennessee
- Win vs. Texas Southern - No. 7 NET non-con SOS
- Win vs. UMass Lowell - 15-5 record, 6-1 in AEC; 8-3 road record (win at Georgia Tech)
- BYU - 15-5 record; No. 22 ranking in latest AP Poll; undefated in neutral sites
- Win vs. Sam Houston State - 13-9 record, 6-1 in C-USA
- Win vs. San Francisco - 17-6, 6-2 in WCC; NET of 60
- Win vs. SMU - 14-7 record, 5-3 in AAC; NET of 42; Wins over Florida St. & Murray St. on the road
- TCU - 16-5 record, 5-3 in Big 12; No. 25 in AP Poll; wins over No. 2 Houston, No. 9 Oklahoma, at No. 15 Baylor, and No. 15 Texas Tech; NET of 30
- Northwestern - 15-6 record, 6-4 in Big Ten; wins over No. 2 Purdue and No. 10 Illinois
- Win at Stanford - 11-9 record, 6-4 in Pac-12; 8-3 at home including win over No. 12 Arizona
- Win vs. Utah - 14-7 record, NET 34; win over No. 22 BYU
- Win vs. Colorado - 15-6 record, 6-4 in Pac-12; win over Miami; NET of 31
- at Washington - 12-9 record; 9-3 at home
- vs. UCLA - preseason Top-25
- Win vs. USC - preseason Top-25; non-conference wins over Kansas State & Seton Hall
- at Oregon - 15-6, 7-3 in Pac-12; 10-1 at home; NET of 52
- at Oregon State - 11-10; 11-2 at home; win over No. 10 Arizona
Arizona State features a total of 11 new players on their roster, joining returners Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Bobby Hurley, and Jordan Williams to make up the 2023-24 Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. The following is a roundup of the ASU newcomer class.
2023 INCOMING TRANSFERS
G Kamari Lands - Louisville
G Brycen Long - Houston Christian
C Shawn Phillips Jr. - LSU
G Jose Perez - West Virginia
F Zane Meeks - San Francisco
F Bryant Selebangue - Tulsa
G Adam Miller - LSU
JUCO ADDITION
G Malachi Davis - Tallahassee CC
FRESHMAN CLASS
G Braelon Green - Southfield, MI
F Akil Watson - Middletown, NY
BY CLASS
Graduate Student (2): Zane Meeks (San Francisco), Jose Perez (West Virginia)
Redshirt Senior (1) Alonzo Gaffney
Senior (1): Brycen Long
Redshirt Junior (1): Adam Miller
Junior (6): Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Malachi Davis, Bobby Hurley, Bryant Selebangue, Jordan Williams
Sophomore (3): Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr., Zack Markus
Freshman (3): Braelon Green, Andrew Mayock, Akil Watson
BY STATE (10 States Represented)
Ohio (3) – Jamiya Neal (Toledo), Alonzo Gaffney (Cleveland), Shawn Phillips Jr. (Dayton)
New York (3) – Jose Perez (Bronx), Zack Markus (New York City), Akil Watson (Middletown)
California (2) – Frankie Collins (Sacramento), Jordan Williams (Los Angeles)
Canada (2) – Malachi Davis (Toronto), Bryant Selebangue (Montreal)
Arizona (2) – Brycen Long (Gilbert), Bobby Hurley (Scottsdale)
Indiana (1) – Kamari Lands (Indianapolis)
Michigan (1) – Braelon Green (Southfield)
Connecticut (1) – Andrew Mayock (New Canaan)
Kansas (1) – Zane Meeks (Prairie Village)
Illinois (1) – Adam Miller (Peoria)
SOLIDIFYING HIS STAFF
Head Coach Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program officially announced the final additions to the 2023-24 staff in October. Arizona State welcomes Yusuf Ali and Jarryn Skeete to the Sun Devil Family, with Nick Irvin and Mickey Mitchell receiving promotions. The news comes after Greg Lansing (Special Assistant to the Head Coach) and Hunter Eisenhower (Associate Head Coach - Sports Performance) joined the staff earlier in the offseason. ASU now boasts an experienced and diverse staff from top to bottom, featuring some of the nation's top rising talent in the coaching industry.
HERE TO STAY
The Arizona State Board of Regents announced in March of 2023 that Sun Devil Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Hurley has agreed to an extension that will keep him with the program through the 2026 season.
NCAAS UNDER COACH HURLEY
ASU has made the NCAA Tournament three times in the past five chances (2023, 2019, and 2018) and won two games. In the previous 32 seasons (1986-2017), ASU made two NCAA Tournaments and was 2-3.
All 31 of Arizona State's games will be televised, with Coach Hurley's squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports, Pac-12 Network and several major network affiliates in addition to online streaming platforms.
PHOENIX HOSTING THE 2024 MEN'S FINAL FOUR
The 2024 Men's Final Four will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., with the national semifinals on Saturday, April 6 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8, 2024. This is the second time the state of Arizona has hosted the Final Four, also doing so back in 2017. Arizona State will once again serve as the host institution as they did for the 2017 edition.
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
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