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Rivalry Renewed: Men's Basketball faces UCLA in Pauley Pavilion

Arizona State and UCLA meet for the 101st time on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. MST in Los Angeles.

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Rivalry Renewed: Men's Basketball faces UCLA in Pauley PavilionRivalry Renewed: Men's Basketball faces UCLA in Pauley Pavilion
Emma Jeanson

Men's Basketball team huddles during win over Santa Clara

by Connor Smith

LOS ANGELES - Arizona State Men’s Basketball is back in Los Angeles to take on UCLA at historic Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. MST.

The Sun Devils (9-2) and Bruins (7-3) will renew an old Pac-12 Conference rivalry, meeting for the first time since 2024. This is the first of a home-and-home agreement, with UCLA returning the trip to Tempe next season. Head Coach Bobby Hurley is looking to continue his success in non-conference road games during his tenure in Tempe. Coach Hurley has 16 wins in the state of California as the Arizona State Head Coach, the second-most of any state (Arizona).

Field of 68 Coach of the Week - Nick Irvin
Thanks to his efforts in the second half, helping lead Arizona State to a comeback win over Santa Clara, Nick Irvin was tabbed by the Field of 68 crew as their National Coach of the Week.

Andy Katz's Power 37
Following their 9-2 start, Arizona State landed at No. 23 in Andy Katz’s Power 37 rankings of week six.

Andy Katz's Top-10 Games of the Week
Arizona State and UCLA are a Top-10 matchup of the week in college basketball, according to Andy Katz. He lists the former Pac-12 rivalry as the seventh-best game of the week. 

AP Top-25 votes
A week after receiving their first AP Top-25 vote of the season, the Sun Devils received five in week six. That would put them at No. 35 in the receiving votes category of the AP Poll.

The matchup
Arizona State and UCLA will meet for the 101st time, with UCLA holding a 76-24 edge. The two sides last faced off in March of 2024, the final regular-season Pac-12 Conference Men’s Basketball game. The Bruins are the fourth-most common opponent in program history for the Sun Devils. Bobby Hurley has defeated UCLA five times in his tenure, including a four-game win streak during a stretch from 2018-20.

Arizona State
UCLA

How to follow
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball will make their season debut on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday when they take on UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. The game is scheduled for a 8:30 p.m. MST tip-off with versatile play-by-play ace Jason Benetti and 2017 Sports Brodcast Hall of Fame inductee Bill Raftery 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.

Quotable
“We are a family as a staff. This is not my show. We work together and do this collectively. To see him have that moment and to lead us the way he did was so impressive. It was one of the better wins that I have had, and I wasn’t even a part of it. That is because of what Nick Irvin means to me and what my staff and players did in that second half.” - Coach Hurley on Nick Irvin taking over in the second half.

Nick Irvin with TNT Postgame after Santa Clara win

Last time out
Arizona State Men’s Basketball defeated Santa Clara, 82-79, improbably on Saturday night at Lee’s Family Forum. In the Entertainment Capital of the World, the Sun Devils (9-2) gave the fans a show, erasing a 19-point deficit to defeat the Broncos (8-3). Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s team battled adversity and a significant halftime hole, but still managed to secure their fourth neutral-site win of the season. ASU has now defeated Santa Clara and former Sun Devil Men’s Basketball Head Coach Herb Sendek in back-to-back years.

Without the services of Head Coach Bobby Hurley after his double technical foul with four seconds left in the first half, Arizona State did not let the circumstances faze them. Assistant coach Nick Irvin took over as the acting head coach and helped lead the Sun Devils to an epic comeback victory. 

It was a second half for the ages that helped Sun Devil Men’s Basketball move to 3-0 in games separated by six points or less this season. A total team effort proved to be too much for Santa Clara to handle, with contributions coming from all over the court during the comeback. Four Sun Devils ended in double figures, led by senior guard Anthony "Pig" Johnson’s 15 points, 14 of which came in the second half.

Joining Johnson in double figures is freshman center Massamaba Diop, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds in a season-high 35 minutes. Senior guard Moe Odum was the leader behind the big comeback effort, adding 12 points and seven assists of his own. Junior forward Andrija Grbovic delivered a season-high 13 points, including huge buckets down the stretch to keep the Sun Devils within striking distance.

Full recap of Santa Clara win

Second half shutdown
ASU completely dominated Santa Clara in the second half, thanks in large part to the defensive effort down the stretch. At halftime, Santa Clara was shooting 58.1% (18-of-31) from the field and had a season-best 55 points. Over the final 20 minutes, the Sun Devils outscored the Broncos 44-22, including holding SCU to only 9-of-33 (27.3%) from the field. SCU went from 9-of-15 (60%) shooting from three-point range to 2-of-17 (11.8%) after the break. The 24 second-half points were the fewest scored in a half by the Broncos this season.

The Broncos’ duo of guard Christian Hammond and forward Elijah Mahi combined to score 31 points on 9-of-12 (75%) from the field with only one turnover in the first half. Arizona State absolutely shut the pair down in the second half, as the two combined for eight points on 3-of-14 (21.4%) shooting overall with three turnovers. The Sun Devils also dominated from the free-throw stripe over the final 20 minutes, finishing 13-of-16 (81.3%) compared to just 4-of-6 (66.7%) for Santa Clara.

Getting defensive
The Sun Devil defense has flipped a switch since coming back from Hawai'i. At the Maui Invitational, opponents shot a combined 93-for-167 (55.69%) from the field and 29-for-68 (42.65%) from deep. In the three games since returning, opponents are combining to shoot just 66-of-178 (37.1%) overall and 26-of-94 (27.7%) from behind the arc.

Sharing the rock
Arizona State’s unselfishness was on full display in the win over Santa Clara. The Sun Devils finished with 20 assists as a team, the first time they have accomplished the feat since having 21 in the NCAA Tournament victory over Nevada on March 15, 2022. Moe Odum led the way with seven assists, and he has now led the team in assists in 10 of 11 games. Five different Sun Devils finished with two or more assists. 

Arizona State vs Santa Clara Game Recap

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Comfortable when it is close
Arizona State has 47 wins in games decided but six points or less since the start of the 2019-20 season, including a 3-0 record this season (wins over Texas, Washington State, and Santa Clara). The 47 wins by the Sun Devils in such circumstances are tied for the most in college basketball during that span. Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s team is 47-27 (64%) overall in games decided by six points or less since 2019-20. 

Most wins by 6 pts or less since start of 2019-20
T1. Arizona State, 47 wins (46-27)
T1. Northern Colorado, 47 wins (47-31)
3. SE Louisiana, 46 wins (46-34)
T4. Wisconsin, 45 wins (45-33)
T4. Xavier, 45 wins (45-37)
T4. Kansas, 45 wins (45-18)
T4. Boise State, 45 wins (45-22)
T4. Western Kentucky, 45 wins (45-38)
T9. Oregon, 44 wins (44-24)
T9. Drake, 44 wins (44-25)

Non-conference road success under Hurley 
After defeating Hawai'i back in November, ASU moved to 11-7 in non-conference road games under Bobby Hurley. That is significant when you consider the program went 9-21 in such games its previous 30 prior to his arrival. Hawaii joined SMU, Creighton (twice), Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Princeton, Georgia, No. 2 Kansas, San Diego State and UNLV as major non-conference road wins in the Hurley era.

The Moe Show
Sun Devil point guard Moe Odum is one of the elite passers in college basketball. He is currently 25th nationally and third in the Big 12 with 66 assists on the season. Odum has 5+ assists in nine of 11 games this season. He now sits with 66 assists through 11 games, which puts him on pace for 192 assists over a 32-game season. This would be the fourth-highest in program history.

Single season assists record
294 – Ahlon Lewis, 1998
233 – Marcell Capers, 1995
200 – Marcell Capers, 1993
192 - Moe Odum, 2025* (66 through 11 games) 
185 – Mike Redhair, 1990
177 – Jahii Carson, 2013
*32-game pace

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 584 assists are the THIRD most. He is the only active NCAA Division I player to have been credited with 550+ assists and have played in 109 games or less. Wednesday's matchup features two of the Top-4 players with the most career assists among active NCAA Division I players (Donovan Dent, UCLA).

Active NCAA Division I players with 500+ career assists
1. Braden Smith, Purdue - 859 assists in 121 games
2. Themus Fulks, UCF - 642 assists in 120 games
3. Moe Odum, Arizona State - 584 assists in 109 games
4. Donavan Dent, UCLA - 554 assists in 113 games 
5. Kerr Krisa, Cincinnati - 541 assists in 118 games

Sun Devil fans will be tracking Braden Smith’s total, as he is attempting to catch Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley as the all-time NCAA assists leader. Hurley finished with 1,076 in 140 games. Smith needs 217 assists to pass Hurley. If he were to play the maximum amount of games (40), Smith would need to average at least 7.5 assists per game the remainder of the season to pass Hurley. Keep in mind, Smith is going to play at least five more games than Hurley did in his career.

Proven passer
Odum ranks near the top nationally in several significant career passing statistics, an indication of the successful career he has had. Here is a closer look at where he stands nationally in several important categories:

---> 2.62 career assist/turnover ratio - 5th nationally
---> 584 career assists - 3rd
---> 5.36 career assists/game - 7th

Mo(e)mentum
Known nationally for his passing, Moe Odum is proving he can be one of the best scorers in the Big 12 as well. He is Top-15 in the Big 12 in points (184), assists (66), three-pointers made (32), free throws made (46), and minutes per game (32.5). He has at least 12 points in nine of 11 games this season. Through 11 games, he has already registered three of his six best career scoring performances. His 36 points against Texas on Nov. 24 were the most points by a Sun Devil in a win since Tra Holder had 40 vs #15 Xavier on Nov. 24, 2017.

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

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 ASU 11/25/25 against Washington State
  • 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

“Maui” Moe
By delivering one of the most memorable runs in the history of the prestigious event, Moe Odum gained the nickname “Maui Moe”. It was earned, as he was responsible for the 2025 tournament’s signature moments. He ranked at or near the top of several major statistical categories, averaging 26.3 points in leading the Sun Devils to the championship game. For his efforts, Odum was one of six players named to the Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team
Chad Baker-Mazara, USC (MVP)
Moe Odum, Arizona State
Ace Glass, Washington State
AJ Staton-McCray, Seton Hall
Ezra Ausar, USC
Dailyn Swain, Texas

Rivalry renewed
Familiar foes will do battle on Wednesday, as an old Pac-12 Conference rivalry is renewed. Arizona State and UCLA have been involved in some of college basketball’s greatest games, with memorable moments created on both sides. Back on Feb. 6, 2022, Head Coach Bobby Hurley and his squad knocked off No. 3 UCLA in a triple-overtime instant classic at Desert Financial Arena. It was Hurley’s third win over an AP Top-5 opponent during his tenure in Tempe.

Marreon Jackson led the Sun Devils with 24 points, but it was an all-around effort as four other Sun Devils ended up in double figures.  Kimani Lawrence had 11 points and nine rebounds, while Alonzo Gaffney chipped in with 10 points. Arizona State’s bench outscored UCLA’s 27-8. The Sun Devils were able to outscore the Bruins 13-10 in the final overtime period, emerging victorious in one of the iconic games in the series.

ASU vs. UCLA 2022

Getting to the line
As a team, Arizona State ranks 36th nationally and 3rd in the Big 12 averaging 25.5 free throw attempts per game. In 33 games last season, ASU had only five instances in which they attempted 27 or more free throws. They have already accomplished the feat five times through only 11 games this year. In 2024-25, the Sun Devils had only two games where they attempted 34 or more free throws (in 33 games). They have already accomplished this MORE TIMES this season (3) through 11 games. 

Moe Odum has been the driving force behind the increased free throw frequency. Over his past seven games, he is 38-for-42 (90.5%) at the line and is shooting 46-of-52 (88.5%) on the year, the third-highest mark in the Big 12. After an 8-of-9 performance from the stripe in his last game, Pig Johnson now has at least nine free throw attempts in five of his last seven games.

9-2 start
The Sun Devils have started 9-2 or better for the second consecutive season. It is their fourth 9-2 start or better in the Bobby Hurley era. Five of their wins to start off 2025-26 have come away from home (4 neutral, 1 road). The 9-2 start comes against the nation's 40th-strongest schedule according to ESPN, who has ASU slotted at 24 in their latest Strength of Record metric with two Quad 1 wins credited (Texas, Oklahoma). The only two losses the Maroon and Gold have suffered this season have come to No. 7 Gonzaga and the first team out. ofthe AP Top-25 USC, who are a combined 20-2 this season.

Seeking a 10-2 start
The Sun Devils are looking for their first 10-2 start or better to the season since 2022-23 when they started 11-1. Should ASU claim the victory, it would be their third 10-2 start or better in the Bobby Hurley era.

Don't count us out
The Sun Devils have come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 51 times during the Bobby Hurley era. It has happened four times this season, all of which have come in the past eight games. In fact, Arizona State has trailed at some point in the second half in five of their wins. 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.

Above the margins
Arizona State has been one of the best teams in the nation at taking care of the basketball. Through 11 games, they rank 40th nationally and 4th in the Big 12 in turnover margin (+3.7).

Massamba making his mark
Freshman center Massamba Diop was impactful yet again in the win over Santa Clara, tying for the team lead with 15 points. He was extremely efficient from the field, going 6-of-10 and hitting his only three point attempt. He added nine rebounds and two assists in a season-high 35 minutes of action. Diop is the first person to lead the team in minutes in a game other than Moe Odum.

Diop is third on the team in points (12.7) and second in rebounds (5.3), producing at that level in only 27 minutes per game. He also has a team-high 16 blocks and is tied for fourth on the team with nine steals, doing all this while committing only 19 personal fouls in 11 games. He has seven games with at least one steal and nine games with at least one block. After starting the season 18-of-29 (62.%) from the free throw line, Diop has made 11 of his last 13 (84.6%) from the stripe.

Bench boost
Despite being shorthanded due to Pig Johnson's inclusion in the starting lineup, the Arizona State's bench still managed to have an impact in the win over Santa Clara. After matching Santa Clara's bench points (23) in the win, the Sun Devils still hold a 305-214 (+91) advantage in bench points this season. They have outscored or tied their opponent off the bench in nine of 11 games (all nine wins). 

Graduate forward Allen Mukeba led the way with eight points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block in 14 minutes. Redshirt sophomore forward Marcus Adams Jr. was effective for a third straight contest, coming through with seven points and five rebounds in 14 minutes. Sophomore guard Noah Meesuen stuffed the stat sheet, ending with eight points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Dialed in from deep
The Sun Devils have emerged as one of the nation's elite three-point shooting teams. They are currently shooting 39.2% from deep, the 22nd-best total in the NCAA. Over the past three games (3-0 record), ASU is 29-for-64 (45.3%) from behind the arc, helping bring up their season total.

Arizona State's starting backcourt has been extremely effective from three-point range this season. Moe Odum and Bryce Ford are a combined 50-for-117 (42.7%) from deep through 11 games. Ford leads the team shooting 43.9% (18-of-41) with Odum not far behind at 42.1% (32-of-76). Both rank in the Top 10 in the Big 12 in three-point shooting.

When Pigs fly 
Senior guard Anthony "Pig" Johnson has emerged as one of the nation’s best sixth men, coming off the bench to provide energy and scoring while living up to his nickname. “Pig” has 10 or more points in nine of 11 games, with eight of those performances coming off the bench. His 15 points in the win over Santa Clara were tied for the team lead. Fourteen of those points came in the second half, as he took over the game after the break. Johnson went 3-of-3 from the field - and most importantly - a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line to spark the comeback. Johnson finished 8-of-9 from the stripe tonight to add to his team-leading free-throw attempt total.

He is second on the team, averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 43-for-83 (51.8%) from the field. He produces well and efficiently while playing only 22.0 minutes a game. Johnson also leads the team with 75 free throw attempts (3rd in Big 12) and is second in the team in steals (15) and assists (20).

M.A.J.
Through his first eight games, Marcus Adams Jr. accounted for a combined 16 points, averaging just 2.0 points per contest. In his last three matchups, he has accumulated 26 points, good for 8.7 points per game. After going just 1-of-10 from distance in those first eight games, he is 6-for-10 in his last three games. The Sun Devils are 3-0 with wins over Oklahoma and Santa Clara and an average margin of victory of 14.3 points during Adams Jr.’s resurgence.

T-Allen-ted
Graduate transfer forward Allen Mukeba is solidifying his reputation as one of the premier rim protectors in all of college basketball. Mukeba is second on the team with ten blocks this season, adding to his impressive career total. He is one of only 44 active NCAA Division I players with 109 or more blocks. Mukeba’s 109 career blocks are tied for the 43rd-most of any active NCAA Division I player. He is one of only 20 NCAA Division I players nationally with over 109 career blocks in 98 career games or fewer.

Telling the Troueth
Redshirt sophomore Sun Devil forward Santiago Trouet has fit in seamlessly since transferring in from San Diego. In the matchup with No. 7 Gonzaga and a formidable frontline, Trouet had 10 points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks. Trouet had two consecutive double-doubles earlier in the year, becoming the first Sun Devil since Kimani Lawrence in 2021 to accomplish the feat. Only two Sun Devils finished with two or more double-doubles all of last year, and Trouet accomplished the feat in only three games. He currently leads the team in rebounds per game (5.9) and has had the most rebounds in a team-best seven of the 11 games.

Empty the notebook

  • Arizona State is 88-37 (70.4%) in non-conference games under Bobby Hurley. They have won at least nine non-conference games in seven of his 11 seasons.
  • ASU is 53-6 (.898) when it shoots 50 percent from the field under Bobby Hurley. They are now 3-0 when it has happened this season, with wins over Washington State, NAU, and Santa Clara. They have accomplished the feat in two straight contests.
  • The 17-point halftime deficit erased by the Sun Devils in their past game matches the largest in program history. ASU was also down by 17 at the break in a 1994 victory over Stanford. It was the fifth time in the Hurley era that Arizona State had trailed by ten or more points and emerged victorious.
  • Arizona State trailed by as many as 19 points, with Santa Clara taking a 60-41 lead with 18:17 left in the second half. From that point on, the Sun Devils outscored the Broncos 41-19 to finish the game. 
  • The Maroon and Gold trailed for over 30 minutes, but led for the final 7:40.
  • A dominant stretch of defense sparked the comeback effort. ASU held SCU without a point for 6:30 of game time during a critical second-half stretch. This allowed the Sun Devils to trim the double-digit deficit quickly. 
  • The Sun Devils were too much for the Broncos in transition, outscoring SCU 17-6 in fast break points. Arizona State ranks 56th nationally, averaging over 15 points in transition per game.
  • Arizona State fouled out a pair of frontcourt players for Santa Clara. Bukky Oboye fouled out in only 14 minutes, while Allen Graves was disqualified after 26 minutes.
  • Since returning from injury, guard Noah Meeusen has been a game-changer defensively. He has at least two steals in four of his eight games played. He is averaging 2.38 steals per 40 minutes.
  • Meesuen had his second game with 8+ points, 4+ rebounds, and 4+ assists this season.
  • The 14 personal fouls committed by the Sun Devils in the last game match the second-lowest tally this season. The lowest total (10) came in the previous game, meaning two of Arizona State’s top-3 games with the fewest fouls committed have come in the past two contests.
  • Santa Clara held a 11-3 advantage in free throw attempts in the first half. The Sun Devils flipped the script in the second half, boasting a 16-6 edge in the category after the break.
  • Coach Hurley's squad has scored at least 80 points in seven of their 111 games (7-0 record).
  • Andrija Grbovic contributed a career-best 13 points, one of four Sun Devils in double figures (Odum, Johnson, Diop).
  • Massamaba Diop has 10 or more points in nine of 11 games

2025-26 Men's Basketball schedule
(All times MST)
11/4 at 7 p.m. vs. Southern Utah (ESPN+) - W, 81-64
11/9 at 1 p.m. vs. Utah Tech (ESPN+) - W, 81-66
11/14 at 9 p.m. vs. Gonzaga (ESPN2) - L, 65-77
11/17 at 7 p.m. vs. Georgia State (ESPN+) - W, 75-62
11/20 at 10 p.m. at Hawai’i 10 p.m. (Spectrum Sports/ESPN+) - W, 83-76
11/24 at 9:30 p.m. Maui Invitational First Round vs. Texas (ESPN2)* - W, 87-86
11/25 at 6 p.m. Maui Invitational Semifinals vs. Washington State (ESPN)* - W, 100-94
11/26 at 12:30 p.m. Maui Invitational Finals vs. USC (ESPN)* - L, 75-88
12/6 at 8 p.m. vs. Oklahoma (CBSSN)* - W, 86-70
12/9 at 7 p.m. vs. Northern Arizona (ESPN+) - W 73-48
12/13 at 5 p.m. Santa Clara (TNT/TruTV)* - W, 82-79
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 seven games on their schedule against teams in the latest AP Top-25, including FIVE of the Top-10. ASU will play a total of nine teams that received at least one vote in the latest rankings.

ASU opponents in the AP Top-25
1. Arizona (Jan. 14 road game; Jan. 31 home game)
4. Iowa State (Mar. 7 road game)
7. Gonzaga (Nov. 14 home game)
8. Houston (Jan. 18 road game)
9. BYU (Jan. 7 road game)
17. Kansas (Mar. 3 home game)
19. Texas Tech (Feb. 17 home game)

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 that received at least one vote in the Top-25 of the current AP Poll. That includes Big 12 Conference trips to No. 1 Arizona, No. 4 Iowa State, No. 8 Houston, and No. 9 BYU. ASU has also faced USC away from home, as well as past/future matchups with several other programs knocking on the door of the Top-25 in neutral/road environments.

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 played in 109 career games, the most of any Sun Devil
  • Odum is the first Sun Devil to reach 1,000 career points (currently at 1,095)
  • Odum is 16 assists shy of 600 career assists (currently at 584)
  • Odum is 17 rebounds shy of 300 career rebounds (currently at 283)
  • Allen Mukeba is two games away from having played in 100 games in his career (currently at 98)
  • Mukeba is 3 points shy of 1,000 career points (currently at 997)
  • Mukeba is 24 rebounds shy of 600 career rebounds (currently at 576)
  • Mukeba is nine assists shy of 150 career assists (currently at 141)
  • 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 reached 400 career points in the win over Santa Clara (currently at 400)
  • Marcus Adams Jr. is 42 points shy of 600 career points (currently at 558)
  • Marcus Adams Jr. is 16 rebounds shy of 200 career rebounds (currently at 184)
  • Bryce Ford is 6 points shy of 400 career points (currently at 394)

Conference of contenders

  • The Big 12 is a combined 133-34 so far this season, including a 43-26 mark against power conference teams (SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big East).
  • The Big 12 has the most top five (two), top 10 (four) and top 20 (six) in the latest AP Top 25 poll. No. 1 Arizona, No. 4 Iowa State, No. 8 Houston, No. 10 BYU, No. 17 Kansas, and No. 19 Texas Tech comprise the Conference’s ranked teams.
  • Six Big 12 teams have started the season 9-1 or better, with UCF possessing an opportunity to join the group on Wednesday. The six teams to win nine of their first 10 games tie the ACC for the most from any conference this season.
  • In the Dec. 15 NET rankings, the Big 12 co-leads the nation with three teams in the top 10, six teams in the top 25 and 14 in the top 100. 4. Arizona, 5. Iowa State, 6. BYU, 15. Houston, 16. Kansas and 25. Texas Tech comprises the top 25 teams in the metric.
  • The Conference boasts four of the top 10 teams in the KenPom ratings, with 14 teams inside the top 75 of the metric. The Big 12 has five top-20 teams and at least 13 top-75 teams in the EvanMiya, KenPom and Torvik rankings.
  • 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 177 games in 11 seasons at ASU, the second-most in program history. 

    Career wins at ASU
    406, Ned Wulk (1957-82)
    177, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
    159, Herb Sendek (2006-15)

About those Sun Devil wins
Coach Hurley has notched 177 wins at Arizona State and has done it while scheduling aggressively and not being afraid to play on the road. He has won 110 games in Arizona, but also has won at least five games in California (16), Nevada (14), Oregon (six) and Washington (five). Four wins have taken place in Utah, three in New York and Hawai'i, and two in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Single wins have taken place in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and West Virginia. Thanks to the November Hawai'i trip, Hurley has now won in a total of 19 different states while at ASU.

Jeff Pendergraph in the 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.

Linking the program 

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 still 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 are now available for any home 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)