TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State Men’s Basketball will host their second game of the 2025-26 season and welcomes Utah Tech to Desert Financial Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST.
Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s team secured an impressive season-opening victory over Southern Utah on Tuesday and returns to action on Sunday when they take on the Trailblazers. It is the second leg of a four-game homestand to open the season, as Sun Devil fans have plenty of early opportunities to check out the 2025-26 squad.
The matchup
Arizona State and Utah Tech will meet for the first time on Sunday. The Trailblazers are out of the WAC, the same league as game one opponent Southern Utah. Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State) officially began its transition to NCAA Division I in July 2020, but it was officially granted full Division I active status in June 2024.
How to follow
The broadcast of Sun Devil Men’s Basketball’s game on Sunday will air on ESPN+ ($) when they take on Utah Tech at Desert Financial Arena, scheduled for a 1 p.m. MST tip-off with Braiden Bell and Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Famer Jeff Ayers (Pendergraph) on the call. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on ESPN 620 AM KTAR. The action can also be tracked via live stats.
Quotable
“It’s nice to win," Coach Hurley remarked after the Southern Utah game. "It’s nice to obviously get a win under our belt to start. We struggled at the end of last year. I told the team we hadn’t won a game in a long time. We had two close exhibitions that didn’t go our way. We had a lot of stuff going on in those games - the program needed to win today and just get off to the right start - mission accomplished there."
Coach Hurley and Pig Johnson postgame media
Arizona State (1-0) did not trail and led for over 39 minutes of the game, eventually securing an 81-64 victory over Southern Utah on Tuesday night. ASU used an aggressive defensive effort and balanced offensive attack to secure the tenth straight win in a home opener under Head Coach Bobby Hurley. The Maroon and Gold wore down their visitors as indicated by their advantage in both bench points (35-14) and fast-break points (24-11). The Sun Devils held the Thunderbirds to 16% (4-of-25) on 3 PT FGs and 37.1% from the field overall while also forcing 16 turnovers.
Four Sun Devils players reached double figures tonight - led by senior transfer Anthony “Pig” Johnson, who delivered 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting while coming off the bench. Freshman Massamba Diop showed why he earned the start in his collegiate debut, stuffing the stat sheet with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and three blocks. Bryce Ford looked comfortable from beyond the arc, finishing with 11 points while cashing in 3-of-5 from three. Allen Mukeba was efficient in a reserve role, finishing with 11 points, six boards, and four blocks in only 17 minutes of action.
Full recap of Southern Utah win
Men's Basketball meets Utah Tech for first time
The Sun Devils and Trailblazers match up at Sunday at 1 p.m. MST.
Pig Johnson brings the ball up the court against Southern Utah in the Sun Devil Men's Basketball home opener, in which the Sun Devils won, 81-64.
Sun Devil Men's Basketball vs Southern Utah Game Recap
Four-game Homestand
The matchup with Utah Tech represents the second leg of a four-game homestand for the Sun Devils to open the season. Arizona State is already 1-0 during the stretch, defeating Southern Utah at Desert Financial Arena in the season opener. After Utah Tech, ASU hosts Gonzaga and Georgia State before hitting the road for the first time when they head to Hawai'i.
Season opening notes
Arizona State is 9-2 in season openers against non-conference opponents in the Bobby Hurley era, having won nine of their last 10. Overall since 2000, the Maroon & Gold are 22-6 in season openers dating back to the 1998-99 season. Moe Odum's eight assists are the most by a Sun Devil in the home opener since Tra Holder also had eight in a win over Idaho State in 2017.
Home opener success
The Sun Devils have now won their past 10 home openers under Bobby Hurley. They are averaging 79.5 points in home-opener games while giving up only 64.8. ASU is 12-1 in their last 13 home openers overall.
Seeking a 2-0 start
Arizona State is looking for their sixth 2-0 start to the season under Bobby Hurley. It would be their second consecutive year winning their first two games. ASU also started 2-0 in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2022-23.
We will block you
Arizona State finished third in the Big 12 and Top-50 nationally averaging 4.5 blocks per game last year. The Sun Devils 139 total blocks were the 8th-most in program history. Two of the eight best shot-blocking seasons in program history have taken place in the Bobby Hurley era (170 in 2023). ASU is already off to a tremendous start in the category in 2025-26, blocking eight shots in the opening game.
Most blocked shots in a season
211 – 2013
182 – 2014
172 – 1997
170 – 2023
165 – 1995
165 – 1979
157 – 1980
146 - 2025
144 – 1981
139 – 2003
131 - 2022
Allen Wrench
Graduate transfer forward Allen Mukeba made a big splash in his Sun Devil debut. He has always been a double-double threat throughout his career, posting big scoring and rebounding numbers. However, Arizona State fans got a glimpse at what an impact he can make on the defensive end. He threw a "wrench" into the Southern Utah offensive gameplan thanks to his ability to protect the rim. Mukeba finished with four blocks, the 12th game of his career with 3+ blocks. It is the second-straight season opener in which a Sun Devil had 4 or more blocks (Jayden Quaintance, 6 vs Idaho State).
Belgian shot blocker
Mukeba (a Charleroi, Belgium native) is solidifying his reputation as one of the premiere rim protectors in all of college basketball. Thanks to his four-block performance on opening night, Mukeba surpassed 100 blocks for his career. He is one of only 41 active NCAA Division I players to reach the milestone. Mukeba's 103 career blocks are the 39th-most of any active NCAA Division I player. He is one of only 18 NCAA Division I players nationally with over 100 career blocks in under 90 career games (88).
Keeping it 100
Senior point guard Moe Odum has played in 99 career games at the Division I level, which includes stops at Pacific and Pepperdine before his arrival in Tempe. He will appear in his 100th career game when Arizona State takes on Utah Tech on Sunday. No active Sun Devil has played in more games at the Division I level.
Mo(r)e assists, less games
Odum is putting together one of the most productive passing careers in recent memory. Among active NCAA players at the Division I level, Odum's 526 assists are the THIRD most. He is the only active NCAA Division I player to have been credited with 500+ assists and have played in less than 100 games (99 career games).
Active NCAA Division I Players with 500+ career assists
1. Braden Smith, Purdue - 778 assists in 112 games
2. Themus Fulks, UCF - 583 assists in 112 games
3. Moe Odum, Arizona State - 526 assists in 99 games
4. Donavan Dent, UCLA - 506 assists in 106 games
5. Kerr Krisa, Cincinnati - 504 assists in 110 games
Proven Passer
Odum ranks near the top nationally in several significant career passing statistics, an indication of what a successful career he has had. Here is a closer look at where he stands nationally in several important categories:
---> 2.77 career assist/turnover ratio - 2nd nationally
---> 526 career assists - 3rd
---> 5.31 career assists/game - 7th
Bench boost
Arizona State got tremendous contributions from their bench in the season-opening victory. ASU finished with a 35-14 advantage in bench points and it was thanks to a collective effort. Anthony "Pig" Johnson led the way with a team-high 17 points, with Allen Mukeba also reaching double figures with 11 points. Trevor Best provided a spark as a substitute as well, finishing with seven points and drawing three fouls leading to seven free throw attempts. ASU's bench also accounted for 16 of the team's 39 rebounds. All of this production came in only 66 total minutes of game action.
Pushing the pace
The Sun Devils took advantage of the Thunderbirds in several areas, including in transition. Arizona State finished with a 24-11 edge (+13) in fast break points, thanks in large part to the efficiency and aggressiveness from floor general Moe Odum.
Diop's Debut
Freshman center Massamba Diop earned the start in his first collegiate game and didn’t fail to make his presence known. Diop finished the night with 14 points, five boards, and three blocks, while shooting 6-of-8 from the field. He became the ninth freshman to start opening night in the Bobby Hurley area.
Sun Devil freshman opening night starters (under Bobby Hurley)
2025-26: Massamba Diop
2024-25: Jayden Quaintance, Joson Sanon
2020-21: Marcus Bagley, Josh Christopher
2019-20: Jalen Graham
2018-19: Luguentz Dort
2017-18: Vitaliy Shibel
2016-17: Sam Cunliffe
Keep them off the line
ASU held Southern Utah to only eight free throws attempted in the game. This marks the lowest free throws attempted by the Thunderbirds in a game since they had eight attempts against Grand Canyon on January 4th, 2025. It is only the second game since the start of last season in which Southern Utah attempted single-digit free throws.
Last season, Arizona State had only six games with double-digit free throw attempt advantages. The Sun Devils already notch one game this year with a 10+ advantage from the stripe, finishing +12 (20-8).
No threes for the Thunderbirds
Arizona State held Southern Utah to 4-of-25 (16%) shooting from beyond the arc, a team that shot 31% from three collectively last season.
Dialed in from deep
The back-court duo of Moe Odum (3-for-5) and Bryce Ford (3-for-5) combined to go 6-of-10 from deep. Arizona State made 287 three-pointers last season, the fourth-most in program history. Four of the five most prolific three-point shooting seasons in program history have taken place in the Bobby Hurley era (328 in 2017, 288 in 2018, 274 in 2023). In their season opening, the Sun Devils made nine threes, which is already ahead of their average (8.7) from last season.
Most three-point field goals in a season
328 – 2017
288 – 2018
288 – 2009
287 - 2025
274 – 2023
271 – 2010
268 – 2014
2025-26 Men's Basketball schedule
(All times MST)
11/4 at 7 p.m. vs. Southern Utah (ESPN+)
11/9 at 1 p.m. vs. Utah Tech (ESPN+)
11/14 at 9 p.m. vs. Gonzaga (ESPN2)
11/17 at 7 p.m. vs. Georgia State (ESPN+)
11/20 at 10 p.m. at Hawai’i 10 p.m. (Spectrum Sports)
11/24 at 9 p.m. Maui Invitational First Round vs. Texas (ESPN2)*
11/25 at TBD Maui Invitational First Round vs. Washington State/Chaminade (ESPN or ESPN2)*
11/26 at TBD Maui Third Round (ESPN or ESPN2)*
12/6 at 8 p.m. vs. Oklahoma (CBSSN)*
12/9 at 7 p.m. vs. Northern Arizona (ESPN+)
12/13 at 5 p.m. Santa Clara (TNT/TruTV)*
12/17 at 8:30 p.m. at UCLA (FS1)
12/21 at 1 p.m. vs. Oregon State (ESPN2)
1/3 at 12 p.m. vs. Colorado (TNT)
1/7 at 7 p.m. at BYU (Peacock)
1/10 at 1 p.m. vs. Kansas State (Peacock)
1/14 at 8:30 p.m. at Arizona (FS1)
1/18 at 3 or 4:15 p.m. at Houston (ESPN or ESPN2)
1/21 at 7 p.m. vs. West Virginia (Peacock)
1/24 at 8 p.m. vs. Cincinnati (CBS Sports Net)
1/27 at 5 p.m. at UCF (ESPN+)
1/31 at 4 p.m. vs. Arizona (ESPN2)
2/4 at 7 p.m. at Utah (CBS Sports Net)
2/7 at 12 p.m. at Colorado (TNT/TruTV)
2/10 at 6, 7, or 8 p.m. vs. Oklahoma State (CBS Sports Net)
2/17 at 9 p.m. vs. Texas Tech (ESPN or ESPN2)
2/21 at 2 p.m. at Baylor (ESPN or ESPN2)
2/24 at 7 p.m. at TCU (CBS Sports Net)
2/28 at 1:30 p.m. vs. Utah (TNT/TruTV)
3/3 at 7 p.m. vs. Kansas (FS1)
3/7 at 12 p.m. at Iowa State (FS1)
*Neutral Sites
Non-conference schedule breakdown | Conference schedule breakdown
Constant competition
Bobby Hurley has once again assembled one of the nation’s toughest schedules. The Sun Devils have nine games on their schedule against teams in the preseason AP Top-25, including three of the Top-10. ASU will play Texas, which received votes, in Maui and has potential matchups with three other teams receiving votes while at the Invitational.
ASU opponents in the preseason top 25
2. Houston (Jan. 18 road game)
8. BYU (Jan. 7 road game)
10. Texas Tech (Feb. 17 home game)
12. UCLA (Dec. 17 road game)
13. Arizona (Jan. 14 road game; Jan. 31 home game)
16. Iowa State (Mar. 7 road game)
19. Kansas (Mar. 3 home game)
21. Gonzaga (Nov. 14 home game)
RV Texas (Nov. 24 Maui Invitational First Round)
RV NC State (Potential Maui Invitational opponent)
RV USC (Potential Maui Invitational opponent)
RV Boise State (Potential Maui Invitational opponent)
Road warriors
Does any team in the nation have a tougher road schedule on paper in the preseason than Arizona State? It would be tough to argue. They have five road games scheduled against teams ranked in the top-16 of the AP Preseason Poll. That includes trips to No. 2 Houston and No. 8 BYU in addition to a non-conference battle with UCLA in Los Angeles. ASU will also face Texas and several other programs knocking on the door of the preseason Top-25 away from home when they travel to the Maui Invitational.
Impact transfers
A six-man transfer class immediately bolstered the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball roster. It is one of the premier transfer classes in program history. Moe Odum finished fourth in the nation, averaging 7.5 assists per game last year. Marcus Adams Jr. was an All-Big West Second Team selection, while Allen Mukeba landed on the Second Team All-Horizon League. Adante’ Holiman earned All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team distinction. Santiago Trouet made a big jump at San Diego a season ago and has three years of eligibility remaining. Scottsdale native Bryce Ford returns to the Valley after a successful run at Toledo. Odum and Adams Jr. were both rated as four-star prospects by 247 Sports.
G Moe Odum, Pepperdine
F Allen Mukeba, Oakland
F Marcus Adams Jr., Cal State Northridge
G Adante' Holiman, Georgia Southern
F Santiago Trouet, San Diego
G Bryce Ford, Toledo
International presence
Sun Devil Men's Basketball has a roster with players from all over the World. Seven different countries are represented on the 2025-26 roster.
Sun Devils by country
United States (9)
Belgium (2)
Serbia (1)
Senegal (1)
Italy (1)
Montenegro (1)
Argentina (1)
Milestone watch
- Moe Odum is one games away from having played in 100 games in his career (currently at 99)
- Odum is 80 points shy of 1,000 career points (currently at 920)
- Odum is 74 assists shy of 600 career assists (currently at 526)
- Reached 250 career rebounds in the last game (currently at 252)
- Allen Mukeba is 12 games away from having played in 100 games in his career (currently at 88)
- Mukeba is 67 points shy of 1,000 career points (currently at 933)
- Mukeba is 54 rebounds shy of 600 career rebounds (currently at 546)
- Mukeba is 15 assists shy of 150 career assists (currently at 135)
- Adante' Holiman is one appearance away from 70 career games played (currently at 69)
- Holiman is 49 points shy of 800 career points (currently at 751)
- Holiman is 30 assists shy of 200 career assists (currently at 170)
- Santiago Trouet is 27 rebounds shy of 300 career rebounds (currently at 273)
- Marcus Adams Jr. is 37 rebounds shy of 200 career rebounds (currently at 263)
Don't count us out
The Sun Devils have come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 47 times during the Bobby Hurley era, including three times last season. Since 2015-16, the Maroon and Gold are in the top 40 in the nation in halftime comeback victories. Here is the full list of comebacks.
Conference of contenders
- The Big 12 tied both a Conference record and the national lead with six teams in the Preseason AP Top 25 Poll, with a nation-leading three teams inside the Top-10.
- Four of the last six national championships have featured a Big 12 school, including Houston’s appearance in the game last season. The run is highlighted by back-to-back national championships by Baylor in 2021 and Kansas in 2022.
- The Big 12 has been the top-ranked Conference in NET/RPI (before 2019) in nine of the past 12 seasons.
- The Big 12 boasted the nation’s top winning percentage in the 2025 NCAA Tournament (66.7%)
- Every Big 12 team had an AP Top 25 win last season, the only league to accomplish the feat.
- All four semifinalists in the 2025 Big 12 Championship reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in league history. The Big 12 produced 25% of the teams in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four.
- 13 of 16 Big 12 teams reached the postseason, including seven who made the NCAA Tournament. It is the 11th consecutive Tournament to feature at least six Big 12 teams, with the Conference receiving at least seven bids in eight of those seasons.
- Eight of the top 14 recruits in the 2025 class are at Big 12 schools.
- The Big 12 has produced a first-round selection in each of the last 26 NBA Drafts.
Roster snapshot (numerical)
- #1 Santiago Trouet (RS-Sophomore/Forward/San Diego/Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- #2 Anthony "Pig" Johnson (Senior/Guard/University of Cumberlands/Midfield, AL)
- #3 Adante' Holiman (Senior/Guard/Georgia Southern/McAlester, OK)
- #4 Bryce Ford (Junior/Guard/Toledo/Scottsdale, AZ)
- #5 Moe Odum (Senior/Guard/Pepperdine/The Bronx, NY)
- #7 Vijay Wallace (Junior/Guard/Triton College/Chicago, IL)
- #8 Marcus Adams Jr. (RS-Sophomore/Forward/Cal State Northridge/Torrance, CA)
- #11 Kash Polk (Freshman/Forward/Argyle, TX)
- #12 Trevor Best (Freshman/Guard/Wilson, NC)
- #14 Andrija Grbović (Junior/Forward/Pljevlja, Montenegro)
- #15 Noah Meeusen (Sophomore/Guard/Zandvliet, Belgium)
- #22 Quentin McCoy (Sophomore/Guard/Chicago, IL)
- #23 Allen Mukeba (Graduate/Forward/Charleroi, Belgium)
- #24 Dame Salane (Freshman/Center/Biella, Italy)
- #35 Massamba Diop (Freshman/Center/Rufisque, Senegal)
- #70 Jovan Ićitović (Freshman/Forward/Belgrade, Serbia)
2 returners; 6 Division I transfers; 2 JUCO/NAIA transfers; 5 international additions; 1 incoming U.S. freshman
The Hurley era
Bobby Hurley has won 169 games in 11 seasons at ASU, the second-most in program history.
Career wins at ASU
406, Ned Wulk (1957-82)
169, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
159, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
About those Sun Devil wins
Coach Hurley has notched 169 wins at Arizona State and has done it while scheduling aggressively and not being afraid to play on the road. He has won 106 games in Arizona, but also has won at least five games in California (16), Nevada (13), Oregon (six) and Washington (five). Four wins have taken place in Utah, three in New York, and two in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Single wins have taken place in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and West Virginia. Hurley has won in a total of 18 different states while at ASU.
Jeff Pendergraph Hall of Fame
A cornerstone of the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball program from 2005 to 2009, Ayres left an indelible mark on ASU Basketball. He was part of the 2025 Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame class. Over 126 games, he averaged 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and shot an impressive 58 percent from the field. His senior season was his finest, as he led the nation in field goal percentage at 66 percent, averaged 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and earned First-Team All-Pac-10 honors. Notably, he delivered a 31-point, 11-rebound performance in a decisive win over Stanford in January 2009.
Ayres ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,588 points), second in rebounds (942), and his 2008-09 field goal percentage is the school record. He is the only player in program history to lead the team in rebounding four consecutive seasons and helped guide ASU to a 25-win campaign and NCAA Tournament berth in his senior year.
Following his collegiate career, Ayres was selected in the 2009 NBA Draft and went on to play six seasons in the NBA, including a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, before continuing his career overseas.
His consistency, leadership, and inside dominance made him a pillar during a pivotal era of transition for ASU basketball.
Preseason pub
- Sun Devil Men's Basketball national TV games revealed
- Photo gallery: Moonlit Madness
- Healey’s Highlights: Sun Devil moments that define 28 seasons
- Sun Devil Men's Basketball solidifies staff
Offseason news - Lu Dort wins 2025 NBA Championship
- Jeff Ayres (Pendergraph) named to 2025 ASU Hall of Fame Class
- 2025-26 Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster preview
Get tickets
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball season tickets are now available for the 2025-26 season and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. If you are interested in joining the season-ticket holder family next season, please call or text 480-727-0000 or email seasontickets@asu.edu to speak to a Sun Devil ticket sales representative.
Season ticket benefits
Sun Devil season-ticket holders receive the most benefits:
- Best ticket prices
- Personal service representative
- Same seat for all home games
- Option to purchase season parking
- Priority on postseason tickets
- Ability to manage and renew your tickets online
- Access to exclusive season-ticket holder events and behind-the-scenes tours
If you are a current season-ticket holder and have questions, please call or text our VIP service line at 480-727-0000 to speak to your Sun Devil service representative.
Mini plans
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball mini plans are now available for the 2025-26 season. Build your plan by choosing any six home games.
Group tickets
Group ticket packages for the 2025–26 season will be available one month before the first game. Group discounts, packages, and experiences start at just 15 tickets. If you are interested in learning more about group tickets and experience options, please call or text 480-727-0000 or email grouptickets@asu.edu to contact a Sun Devil ticket sales representative.
Single-game tickets
Single-game tickets for the 2025–26 season are available for all home games and are going fast. Don’t miss your chance to check out the Sun Devils in action.
Sun Devils on social
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball program, follow our X and Instagram accounts, like our Facebook page, and visit sundevils.com.
Head coach Bobby Hurley (X: @BobbyHurley11)