The Moe Show: Odum's 36 leads ASU past Texas at Maui Invitational

Series history
Arizona State and Texas matched up for the 6th time, with the Sun Devils closing the gap to a 4-2 Longhorns' edge in the series. This is the first Sun Devil victory since defeating the Longhorns at the 1991 Sun Devil Classic. Bobby Hurley has now defeated Texas Head Coach Sean Miller 14 times while the Head Coach at Arizona State.

History at the Maui Invitational
The 2025 Maui Invitational is Arizona State's 6th appearance in the tournament (1991, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2007), compiling a 10-6 record during those visits, including winning the 1994 Maui Invitational with Bill Frieder as head coach in which standout power forward Mario Bennett received tournament MVP honors. During their most recent visit to Maui in 2007, NBA star James Harden led the Sun Devils to a 2-1 record where then freshman guard averaged 17 points/game.

Led by 1992 Maui Invitational co-MVP, Bobby Hurley, the Sun Devils will be one of the tournament's predominant storylines. Coach Hurley will be only the third head coach to lead a team in Maui after winning the Tournament's MVP honors during their playing career (Penny Hardaway/Steve Wojciechowski).

Sun Devil Maui Invitational quick facts
Total Appearances: 6
All-Time Record: 10-6
Best Finish: 1994 (Tournament Champions)

Appearances by Arizona State in Maui Invitational (6)
2025
1-0 
W - Texas

2007
2-1 (5th place)
L Illinois
W Princeton
W LSU

2002
2-1 (5th place)
L No. 17 Kentucky
W Chaminade
W Utah

1998
1-2 (7th place)
L No. 9 Utah
L Kansas State
W Chaminade

1994
3-0 (Tournament champions)
W Texas A&M
W No. 13 Michigan
W No. 7 Maryland

1991
1-2 (6th place)
L Rice
W Lamar
L Minnesota

5-1 start
The Sun Devils have started 5-1 for the second consecutive season. It is their fifth 5-1 start in the Bobby Hurley era.

Neutralizing the opponent
Arizona State continued their success under Bobby Hurley in regular season games at neutral sites. They picked up their first win of the 2025-26 campaign in a neutral setting after going 5-1 during the 2024-25 run.  The five neutral site wins during the regular season were a new program record. The Sun Devils defeated four teams that won 20+ games in neutral settings in 2024-25 (Saint Mary's, Grand Canyon, Santa Clara, New Mexico). Three were 2025 NCAA Tournament participants. ASU has won 19 games overall under Hurley in neutral site regular season games. That includes past wins over Texas, NC State, Kansas State, St. John's, Mississippi State, Xavier, Michigan, Utah State, New Mexico, Saint Mary's, Creighton, Santa Clara, and UMass.

2025-26 (1-0)
ASU 87, Texas 86 (Nov. 24, 2025) - Maui Invitational First Round (Maui, Hawai'i)

2024-25 (5-1)
ASU 78, UMass 62 (Dec. 21, 2024) -  MGM Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic (Springfield, MA)
Florida 83, ASU 66 (Dec. 14, 2024) - Holiday Hoopsgiving at State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
ASU 68, Saint Mary's 64 (Nov. 29, 2024) - Acrisure Series (Palm Desert, CA)
ASU 85, New Mexico (Nov. 28, 2024) - Acrisure Series (Palm Desert, CA)
ASU 87 vs. Grand Canyon 76 (Nov. 14, 2024) - Hall off Fame Series at Footprint Center (Phoenix, AZ)
ASU 81, Santa Clara 74 (Nov. 8, 2024) - Hoopfest at Lee's Family Forum (Las Vegas, NV)

Bench boost
Arizona State's bench had the advantage yet again. After a 26-19 edge in bench points tonight, the Sun Devils now hold a 152-97 (+55) advantage in bench points this season. Anthony "Pig" Johnson led the way with his fifth double-digit scoring output this season. Noah Meesuen added four points and two steals, while Allen Mukeba finished with five points.

The Moe Show
Moe Odum delivered one of the greatest individual performances in program history. His 36 points were not only a career high, they were the most by a Sun Devil since Alonzo Verge had 43 vs. Saint Mary's on Dec. 18, 2019. It was tied for the eighth-highest scoring output by Sun Devil away from home (road or neutral) ever. It is his second career 30-point game and second 20-point game. 36 is the most points by a Sun Devil in a win since Tra Holder had 40 vs #15 Xavier on Nov. 24, 2017.

Moe Odum's highest career scoring games

• 36 pts with ASU 11/24/25 against Texas
• 31 pts with Pepperdine 3/7/25 against Portland
• 26 pts with Pepperdine 2/22/25 against Loyola Marymount 
• 24 pts with Pepperdine 12/30/24 against Gonzaga
• 24 pts with ASU 11/17/25 against Georgia State
• 22 pts with Pacific 3/2/23 against Pepperdine
• 21 pts with Pacific 1/18/24 against Santa Clara

CAREER HIGH 36 POINTS AND THE DUB! pic.twitter.com/1Bjh4IrWGC

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 25, 2025

Most points by a Sun Devil away from Tempe
61, Eddie House at California (2 OT ), Jan. 8, 2000
45, Paul Williams at USC, Mar. 10, 1983
43, Alonzo Verge Jr. vs. Saint Mary's (Phoenix), Dec. 18, 2019
40, Tra Holder vs. #15 Xavier (Las Vegas), Nov. 24, 2017
40, Jahii Carson at UNLV, Nov. 19, 2013
40, James Harden vs. UTEP (Anaheim), Nov. 30, 2008
37, Mario Bennett at Washington, Mar. 2, 1995
36, Moe Odum vs. Texas, Nov. 24, 2025
36, James Harden at Oregon, Feb. 5, 2009

Comfortable when it is close
Arizona State moved to 8-3 in game separated by one possesions or less over the past three seasons. 

Getting to the line
The Sun Devils attempted 36 free throws, the second consecutive game they have finished with 35+ attempts from the strip (37 at Hawai'i). ASU had only two instances in which they attempted 35 or more free throws in 33 games last year and have already accomplished the feat twice through only six games this year. 

Maui Moe 😈 pic.twitter.com/Avhhb9ZLMQ

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 25, 2025

Notables

• ASU forced Texas to commit 19 turnovers. The Longhorns came into the game averaging only 9.0 turnovers per game, the 18th-lowest mark in college basketball.
• Yet another opponent struggled from deep against the Sun Devils. Despite a 4-of-6 effort in the second half, the Longhorns still only finished at 31.6% (6-of-19) by the end  of the night.
• Arizona State defeats Texas for only the second time in six matchups in their first meeting since the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
  
• Bobby Hurley now has seven wins over SEC teams during his tenure and 14 wins over Sean Miller while at the helm in Tempe.
• Texas came into the game allowing only 62.6 points per game, the 21st-best total in the nation. ASU scored a season-high 87 points.
• This is back-to-back incredible offensive efforts against great defenses. Arizona State put 83 up against Hawai'i, a Top-25 scoring defense that came into the game allowing only 61.6 points per game.
• Noah Meeusen's defense has been key for the Sun Devils since his return from injury. In 54 minutes combined over the past three games, he has accounted for seven steals, including recording two steals in 24 minutes in tonight's win.
• The Sun Devils attempted 36 free throws, the second consecutive game they have finished with 35+ attempts from the strip (37 at Hawai'i). ASU had only two instances in which they attempted 35 or more free throws in 33 games last year and have already accomplished the feat twice through only six games this year. 
• They made 28 of those free throws to finish with a 78% clip.
• ASU started the half 7-of-21 through first 3:15. They made their final five shots to end the first half on a 15-4 run and take a 39-34 lead into the break.
• Moe Odum not only had a career-best scoring night, he also set new career highs with free throw attempts (18) and makes (16). Odum drew eight fouls and got the Longhorn backcourt in foul trouble.
• Arizona State scored 48 points in the second half after scoring 49 in the win over Hawai'i in the previous game. They are averaging 46.0 points in the second half in their past three games and have eclipsed 40 points in each.
• Anthony "Pig" Johnson came through with a clutch 17-point performance off the bench. He matched his career high and now has five double-digit scoring efforts as a reserve. He shot 5-of-6 from the field and drew seven fouls.
• The Sun Devils shot 50% (9-of-18) from beyond the arc. ASU is 9-3 over the last four seasons when reaching the threshold.
• Massamba Diop saved his best for last. After battling foul trouble most of the game, he delivered a timely five points over the final 5:38 of regulation, including a game-tying hook shot with under a minute left.
  

   

   

   

   

   

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First half
The Lahaina Civic Center setting took some feeling out for both teams, as each side struggled from the field early on. Andrija Grbovic got the Sun Devils on the board with a three-pointer, while the defense held Texas to a 2-of-6 start from the field. Johnson came off the bench to give his team an offensive spark, scoring four points with his patented style of attacking the basket. ASU held Texas without a field goal for nearly five minutes allowing them to tie the game at seven.

Johnson continued to provide energy and crucial scoring off the bench. His explosive start, combined with a sturdy defensive effort, kept the Longhorns from pulling away. Mukeba went to work in the post to give ASU their first lead, 14-13 at the 10:03 mark in the first half. Texas started the half a putrid 4-of-15 (26.7%) from the field, including a 1-for-8 from behind the arc. A brief Texas run, with most of the points coming at the free throw line, allowed them to build a 23-17 at the under eight media timeout.

The Sun Devils answered with a free throw run of their own, scoring their next five points at the line to cut the lead in half. Odum proceeded to take over to trim the deficit even further, converting on all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt followed by a mid-range jumper on the next possession. He would then set up Grbovic for behind the arc for a three that put the Sun Devils back on top. Odum electrified the crowd with a deep three from well beyond the line to push the ASU lead to 36-32 with under a minute left. On the final possession of the half, Odum broke a Texas defenders ankles, crossing over and stepping back to hit another triple. Odum scored or assisted on the final 13 points of the half for ASU as they ended the half on a 15-4 run to take a 39-34 lead into halftime.

Moe's 15 points in the first half puts him in the 1,000 point club 😈#ForksUp /// @mauriceodum6 pic.twitter.com/9b50X5wVY1

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 25, 2025

Second half
Bryce Ford opened the scoring for the Sun Devils, producing a quick five points in the first two minutes. The Longhorns had an answer to the six-point lead, going on a run to take the lead back. Johnson continued to do what he does best, getting to the line and attacking the basket. He had three consecutive productive possessions for a total of six points, getting to the line twice in addition to a tough finish at the rim.

Both teams started to heat up offensively and settle into the game. The Sun Devils remained step-for-step with the Longhorns, not allowing them to separate. A steal and score from Noah Meeusen followed by an old-fashioned three-point play from Allen Mukeba cut the lead back to two. A 7-1 run by Texas gave them a then game-high eight-point lead with 8:33 left. A three-minute field goal drought for ASU came at a bad time, allowing Texas to take control of the game. A red-hot Longhorns shooting effort pushed them to a double-digit lead.

The toughness of Arizona State started to make a difference, as the Maroon and Gold refused to fold. A quick 6-0 run in only 38 seconds cut the Texas lead back to two with just over five minutes left. Meeusen’s defense and a Diop and-one conversion were key factors in starting the comeback. Then it was Odum, who continued his offensive barrage. He scored 13 of 16 points during the ASU comeback, including several dagger three pointers. One came with 4:56 left and finally gave the Sun Devils a 79-78 lead after trailing by as many as ten.

A back-and-forth final five minutes ensued, with the two teams exchanging the lead thanks to critical baskets. A hook shot by Diop evened the game at 84 with 59 seconds left. However, Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain converted on a driving layup to give Texas the lead back with 34 seconds left. That set the stage for Moe Odum, who came through with the biggest shot of the evening. He buried a contested three from the top of the key, putting Arizona State on top 87-86 with 10 seconds left. The Sun Devils needed one stop to advance to the semifinal round. It was Diop that came through on the final defensive possession, poking the ball loose from Texas guard Tramon Mark and chasing down the ball to seal the dramatic victory.

Quotables
Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley
Opening statement
“That was a hell of a game. It felt like a NCAA Tournament game. That is the vibe I had the whole time. They are a really good team, Texas, give them a lot of credit. What Sean (Miller) has put together is a very good team defensively who was physical and made everything difficult for 40 minutes. Both teams wanted to win badly, but credit to my guys when we got down ten in the second half. A lot of teams may have not been able to respond, but we were able to make plays at both ends of the floor to get back into it. A testament to their resilence."

On what he saw in Moe Odum
"We as a staff watched his WCC tournament last year, and he really put up big numbers in that event for Pepperdine against really good teams, St. Mary's and teams like that in the tournament. So we thought his game would translate. Sometimes when you're a coach there's a ceremonious hand to guard the ball and hey, run my team. But he just went in the gym in practice and dominated practice and said, hey, I'm the guy. So I'm going to lead this team. He did it by action, and from there, we've just been kind of following his heart."

On Pig Johnson's contributions
"I will say about Pig, I know Moe had the big game, but you're playing against a Sean Miller team on defense, it's like going to the dentist trying to score. Pig early in that game I thought did a great job offensively getting to the basket, getting some points on the board for us so we could get our feet under us in the game."

Senior guard Moe Odum
On staying positive after a slow start
“I stay in the gym, so if I am missing or turn the ball over, I know it is just basketball. You are not going to be perfect the whole game. That is my mentality, just stay in it. When my teammates get down, I'm the one telling them to stay in it, so how can I not stay in it myself?"

On where the team's resilency comes from
“Just practices. I feel like our practices are harder than games. Some people throw up in practice. We play literally to exhaustion in practice. If all we've got is a 40-minute game, there should be no question why our effort isn't the highest."

Anthony "Pig" Johnson
On what his mentality was on offense
“Take what the defense gives you. My team was down and we needed to push, so I attacked the rim. That's what I do."

On his style of play
“I always emphasize dog mentality. When it comes down to dog mentality it's who wants it more, and I know my team is going to want it more."

Full transcription of press conference in PDF format 

Up next
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will have a quick turnaround, as they continue play in the Maui Invitational. Arizona State will take on Washington State in the semifinals on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. MST. The broadcast can be found on ESPN with the game also available on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP). 

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Head coach Bobby Hurley (X: @BobbyHurley11)