Arizona State Men's Basketball sweeps regular season series with Utah

The offense came from many angles today, with the Sun Devils managing to wear down the Utes defense. Arizona State shot 14-of-26 (53.8%) in the second half thanks to contributions from the entire rotation. The Sun Devil bench outscored the Utes 27-14 while also holding a 36-26 advantage over the visitors in paint points. Despite several players dealing with and playing through injury, it was Arizona State's toughness that proved to be the difference. 

Redshirt sophomore Santiago Trouet led the way with his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also added three blocks, delivering his fourth career performance with three or more rejections. Senior guard Moe Odum had a team-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-5 from distance. Freshman center Massamba Diop had a major impact on both ends yet again, accounting for 14 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. He now has four or more blocks in five games this season, all coming in Big 12 Conference play.

Senior guard Anthony "Pig" Johnson provided his usual boost off the bench, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists. He had his 12th game with two or more steals this season. Junior guard Bryce Ford also came through for Arizona State as a reserve, scoring eight points and making 2-of-4 three-pointers. Senior forward Allen Mukeba came into the game questionable battling an ankle injury, but he suited up and played through it for his team. Mukeba was active and an important part of the victory, adding six points and two rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench. The Sun Devils remain at home for Senior Day, when they host No. 14 Kansas on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 PM MST. Watch on FS1 and listen on ESPN 620 AM (KTAR).

Series history
Arizona State moves to 19-13 against Utah in Tempe and cuts into their series lead, with the Utes holding a 37-30 advantage. Arizona State has now won nine of the last 12 overall meetings between the sides. This is the third time that the Sun Devils have swept Utah under Bobby Hurley, also doing so in 2023-24 and 2021-22. ASU has won five straight home games over Utah. 

Swooping in for the Dub 😈 pic.twitter.com/fRwrpR6nxR

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) February 28, 2026

Season sweep
Arizona State completely dominated the regular season series with Utah. The Sun Devils outscored the Utes 144-123 in the two-games and allowed only 61.5 points per game. ASU held the Utes to exactly 23-of-59 (39%) shooting in both games.

Magic Number
The Sun Devils held the Utes to only 60 points, moving them to 9-0 on the season when allowing 70 or less to an opponent. This is only the FIFTH TIME all season Utah has been held to 60 points or less. Three of the other teams to do it are in the Top-25 (Houston, Kansas, Iowa State). Taking it a step further, Utah has scored 63 points or less seven times this season. Two of those instances have come against the Sun Devils, with the Utes scoring 63 points in the first matchup. Meanwhile, Arizona State has scored 70 or more points in 26 of 29 games this season. 

Second half shooting
The Sun Devils continued their success from the field in the second half of games. ASU shot 53.8% (14-of-26) from the field in the second half, compared to 44.8% (13-of-30) in the first. On the season, Arizona State is now shooting 47.3% in the second half. In the first half, they are shooting 43.0%. By contrast, Utah struggled from the field down the stretch. Despite starting 7-of-7 from the field after halftime, the Utes were held to just 6-of-23 (26.1%) from the field the remainder of the game.

The Ford factor
Bryce Ford made the most of his minutes off the bench in the win over Utah. He finished with eight points and made 2-of-4 three-pointers. Ford was also a perfect 2-of-2 from the line. He is now shooting 80% from the stripe this season and is an 85.7% career free-throw shooter. Ford was a game-high +24 in 28 minutes of action.

Shutting down Brown (again)
In both matchups this season, the Sun Devils have managed to contain one of the nation's best scorers in Utah junior guard Terrance Brown. He came into the game averaging 20.1 points (31st nationally; 4th in Big 12) on 45.1% shooting. Brown finished with eight points on 4-of-12 (33%) shooting and was a -5 in 26 minutes of action. Earlier in the season, Arizona State held him to his worst performance of 2025-26, as he shot just 2-of-13 from the field and scored six points. Brown has been held to single-digit points only three times this season. Two have come against the Sun Devils.

Fewest points in a game by Terrence Brown
6, vs Arizona State on 2/4/26
8, at Arizona State on 2/28/26
9, vs Grand Canyon on 11/25/25
11, at Cincinnati on 2/15/26

Mo(e)mentum
Known nationally for his passing, Moe Odum is proving he can be one of the best all-around players in the Big 12 as well. Odum came into the game one of only three players in the nation averaging 17.2+ points, 5.9+ assists, 3.0+ rebounds, and 1.5+ steals per game (Boopie Miller, SMU; Jaylin Henderson, Portland State). He was Top-20 in the Big 12 in points, assists, three-pointers made, free throws made, FT%, and minutes per game. He only improved upon most of those numbers tonight, finishing with 15 points, two rebounds, and four assists. He has at least 10+ points in 26 of 29 games this season.

Odum also continues to move up the single-season assist list in the program record book. He had four assists today compared to only one turnover. His 170 assists this season are the seventh-most in program history. He needs eight more assists to crack the Top-5, which would require passing Jahii Carson, who was in the building today as part of the Alumni Game recognition.

Sun Devil single-season assists record (1972-73 to present)
294 – Ahlon Lewis, 1998
233 – Marcell Capers, 1995
200 – Marcell Capers, 1993
185 – Mike Redhair, 1990
177 – Jahii Carson, 2013
177 – Lynn Collins, 1992
170 - Moe Odum, 2026
162 – Derek Glasser, 2009
158 – Derek Glasser, 2010
156 – Lynn Collins, 1991
153 – Jahii Carson, 2014

With his 3-of-5 effort from behind the arc, Odum now has 16 games with three or more made threes. This was his sixth time shooting 50% or better from three point range and overall from the field in the same game. He has now made 82 three-pointers this season, which is tied for the eight-most in program history. It is the most triples in a season since Desmond Cambridge Jr. also hit 82 during the 2022-23 season. He is 12 made three-pointers away from cracking the Top-5 in single-season program history.

Sun Devil single-season 3 PT FG record (1972-73 to present)
113 – Stevin Smith, 1993
108 – Torian Graham, 2017
96 – Stevin Smith, 1994
95 – Shannon Evans II, 2018
93 – Rihards Kuksiks, 2009
84 – Jonathan Gilling, 2013
83 – Alex Austin, 1990
82 - Moe Odum, 2026
82 – Desmond Cambridge, 2023
82 – Jermaine Marshall, 2014
81 – Rihards Kuksiks, 2010
81 – Kevin Kruger, 2006

Bench boost
A key to Arizona State’s season has been the success of its bench unit. That was no different tonight, as the three-man unit of guards Bryce Ford and Pig Johnson along with forward Allen Mukeba made their presence felt against the Utes reserves. ASU has now outscored or tied their opponent off the bench in 21 of 29 games (14-7 record). Three of the five losses when winning the bench battle were to Top-10 teams (No. 1 Arizona & No. 7 Houston). ASU’s bench won the battle over Utah, 27-14, and now holds a 697-532 (+165) advantage in points this season. The Sun Devil reserves have 27+ points in three straight games.

Dialed in from deep
Arizona State was extremely effective from behind the arc, finishing 9-of-17 (52.9%) from deep. It was the third time this season ASU has shot 50% or better from the three-point line. They are 3-0 when it happens, previously securing wins over Oklahoma and Texas. This was the second-best 3 PT FG% of the season for the Sun Devils. ASU is now 6-0 when shooting 46% or better from distance.

Best Sun Devil 3 PT FG% of 2025-26 season
54.2% (13/24) vs Oklahoma (Dec. 6, 2025)
52.9% (9/17) vs Utah (Feb. 28, 2026)
50.0% (9/18) vs Texas (Nov. 24, 2025)
47.8% (11/23) vs Washington State (Nov. 25, 2025)
47.6% (10/21) vs Santa Clara (Dec. 14, 2025)

 

 

 

 

 

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He will block you
Massamba Diop is establishing himself as one of the premier defenders in the entire conference. His 43 blocks in Big 12 play are the second-most of any Big 12 player (Flory Bidunga, Kansas). Diop has 18 games with two or more blocks this season, including ten of his last 11 games. He had four blocks in the victory, the fifth time he has finished with 4+ rejections in a game this season. All five have come in Big 12 play. Over the past 11 games, he has been credited with 30 blocks (2.7 blocks per game). 

Diop now has 62 blocks in 29 games on the season. He came into the game ranking 22nd nationally and 2nd in the Big 12 in the category and will only move up after today's effort. He was third among all freshman nationally in blocked shots - meaning he is top-10 in both field goal shooting and blocks for freshmen. - one of only two players who can make that claim (Brandon Benjamin, Fairfield).

Stop, Diop, and Roll
Diop stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two assists doing it all in 33 minutes of action. He even made both of his three-point attempts, showing off his versatility and range. Diop now has 10+ points in 24 of 29 games this season. He is second on the team in points (13.8) and first in rebounds (5.9), producing at that level in only 29.3 minutes per game. He also has a team-high 62 blocks and is fifth on the team with 20 steals, doing all this while committing only 57 personal fouls through 29 games. He has 15 games with at least one steal and 25 games with at least one block. 

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 23 of 29 games, with 18 of those performances coming off the bench. He delivered yet again in the victory, accounting for 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Johnson arguably made most of his impact on defense, typically getting the assignment to guard Terrance Brown when in the game. Brown was held to just eight points on 4-of-12 shooting. It was Johnson's 12th game with mulitple steals, including five of his last six games. After finishing 2-for-2 at the stripe, Johnson is now 96-of-117 (82.1%) from the free throw line over the past 20 games. He has gone from 64.6% to 76.6% from the line on the season during that stretch.

Telling the Troueth
Redshirt sophomore Sun Devil forward Santiago Trouet has fit in seamlessly since transferring in. He is currently second on the team in rebounds per game (5.7) and has had the most rebounds in a team-best 14 of the 27 games he has appeared in, including tonight. He is the first Sun Devil with five or more double-doubles since Romello White accomplished the feat in the 2019-20 season. The big man delivered with 12 points and ten rebounds, highlighted by a 4-for-4 night from the line. He has now made 17 of his last 19 free throws (89.4%) during a six-game span. Trouet finished with three blocks, which was a new season-high. It was the fourth time in his career he had 3 or more blocks in a game. 

Trouet had two consecutive double-doubles earlier in the year, becoming the first Sun Devil since Kimani Lawrence in 2021 to accomplish the feat. Two Sun Devils finished tied for the team-lead with two double-doubles last year and Trouet has already more than doubled the feat with five.

 

 

 

 

 

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First half
Massamba Diop got his scoring going with a three pointer from the wing with Maurice Odum getting the assist. As the Utes tried to expand their lead, the Sun Devils kept on fighting as Odum scored on back-to-back possessions as they trailed 17-14 going into the first media timeout. 

Coming out of the break, Pig Johnson delivered on two layups to keep things close. Noah Meeusen made a great play on defense with a steal and capped it off with a fast break layup with ASU down 21-20 going into the break.

Bryce Ford’s three pointer coming out of the timeout gave Arizona State their first lead of the game. The Sun Devils put on the defensive clamps throughout most of the half, they held the Utes scoreless for eight minutes and eight seconds with Utah only making one of their last eleven shots. On top of that, the Sun Devils took advantage of the scoring drought thanks to Odum’s trio of triples from downtown to push ASU’s lead to double digits. The Sun Devils went into halftime with a 34-24 lead.

Second half
Coming out of the break, ASU continued to hold on to their lead, with Santiago Trouet scoring on consecutive possessions and Odum continued his outing with a pullup jumper from the paint. The Sun Devils entered the first timeout of the second half with a 43-32 lead. With ASU still hanging on, the Utes closed in on the lead as they brought the Sun Devils’ lead to just four, with the score at 43-39 going into the break.

Needing something to prevent Utah from taking the lead, Arizona State came up with two straight possessions with a three pointer, the first coming from Johnson and the second coming from Bryce Ford to help expand the Sun Devils’ lead as they took a 51-42 advantage going into the media timeout.

Johnson continued to attack the paint by driving in another layup. Meeusen and Trouet each recorded a block in the same possession as the Utes took a 30 second timeout. A second chance tip-in layup from Allen Mukeba and a Trouet layup off a Johnson assist helped keep the Sun Devils in the lead, 59-51 going into another break.

Diop continued his strong afternoon with a throwdown dunk off a Johnson assist. ASU continued to put on a stellar defensive performance, they only allowed four out of Utah’s last 18 field goals at one point in the second half after the Utes started seven for seven to begin the half. Trouet iced the game with two free throws along with Diop draining his second three pointer of the game as the Sun Devils secured the win, 73-60.

Empty the notebook

• For the first time since moving to the Big 12 Conference, the Sun Devils have won three-straight home games in league play.
• Utah forward Keanu Dawes was all over the glass in the first matchup between the two teams, keeping the Utes in the game with an 11-rebound effort. Arizona State kept him from impacting the game down low, holding him to just four rebounds. 
• Arizona State finished 10-of-12 from the free throw line, continuing their recent success in the category. Over the past 18 games, the Sun Devils are 300-of-387 (.775) from the free-throw line. In the prior 11 games, they were just 202-of-281 (.719).
• Arizona State commited only 6 personal fouls which led to only nine free throw attempts for Utah.
  • It is the fewest fouls called on the Sun Devils all season. The previous low was 10, accomplished twice (at Houston, vs NAU).
  • The six made free throws by the Utes were tied for the fewest by a Sun Devil opponent this season (Baylor, 6-of-13). It also matched a season-low output from the line for Utah.
  • For the third time this season, a Sun Devil opponent attempted 10 free throws or less. It was the 10th time an opponent had 15 free throws or less, with five of those instances coming in the past seven games.
• ASU came into the game ranked 37th nationally, averaging 4.5 blocks per game. They will only move up after a 9-block performance against Utah.
  • It was the third time this season ASU had nine or more blocks in a game. All have come in Big 12 Conference home games (Kansas State, Colorado).
• Over the past three home games, Sun Devil opponents are averaging only 67.7 points per game (3-0 record). For comparison, ASU is allowing 78.2 points per game on the season.
• The Sun Devils committed a season-low five turnovers. Their previous season-low of six also came against Utah. 
  • The five turnovers are the fewest by the Sun Devils since they committed only four at Arizona on March 4, 2025.
• ASU held Utah to just 39.2% from the field, moving to 7-0 when holding opponents to under 40% shooting.
• Noah Meeusen was once again active on defense, finishing with one block and one steal. It is the fourth time he has had at least one of each in the same game.
• Battling an ankle injury, Allen Mukeba still delivered for his team. He finished 3-for-3 from the field scoring six points in 13 minutes. Mukeba is now shooting 56.5% from the field this season, second on the team to Diop.
• Arizona State is currently shooting 75.1% from the free-throw line, which would be the third-best total in program history.
  
  Sun Devil best single-season team FT% (1972-73 to present)
  75.6 – 1978
  75.4 – 1955
  75.1 - 2026 (502-of-668)
  74.9 – 2017
  74.6 – 1998
  74.6 – 1987
  73.9 – 2008
  73.7 – 2009
• Arizona State already has 135 blocks this season, the 11th-best total in program history. Four of the Top-11 shot blocking Sun Devil seasons have occured over the past five years.
  
  Sun Devil single-season team blocks (1972-73 to present)
  211 – 2013
  182 – 2014
  172 – 1997
  170 – 2023
  165 – 1995
  165 – 1979
  157 – 1980
  146 – 2025
  144 – 1981
  139 – 2003
  135 – 2026
  131 – 2022
  
  Record chasing
  Diop is in the Top-10 among freshmen in program history with three 20-point performances.
  
  Sun Devil freshman 20-point games (1972-73 to present)
  18, Jahii Carson, 2012-13
  16, James Harden, 2007-08
  12, Ike Diogu, 2002-03
  9, Luguentz Dort, 2018-19
  7, Jamal Faulkner, 1990-91
  5, Steve Beck, 1983-84
  4, Christian Polk, 2006-07
  3, Massamba Diop, 2025-26
  3, Joson Sanon, 2024-25
  3, Josh Christopher, 2020-21
  3, Eddie House, 1996-97
  3, Ron Riley, 1992-93
  3, Byron Scott, 1979-80
  3, Gary Jackson, 1972-73
  
  Diop is already second among freshmen in program history with 62 blocks this season. He needs two more blocks to break the record.
  
  Single-season blocks by a Sun Devil freshmen
  63, Jayden Quaintance, 2024-25
  62, Massamba Diop, 2025-26
  55, Mario Bennett, 1991-92
  33, Jamal Faulkner, 1990-91
  31, Ike Diogu, 2002-03
  29, Jalen Graham, 2019-20
  24, Shawn Redhage, 1999-2000
  23, Romello White, 2017-18
  23, Jeff Pendergraph, 2005-06
  
  Diop is currently having the third-best shooting season by a freshman in program history, making 57.6% of his field goals.
  
  Single-season FG% by a Sun Devil freshman (min. 100 attempts)
  .652, Romello White, 2017-18 (120-of-184)
  .608, Ike Diogu, 2002-03 (209-of-344)
  .576 Massamba Diop, 2025-26 (151-of-262)
  .574, Mario Bennett, 1991-92 (159-of-277)
  .570, Dwayne Fontana, 1990-91 (102-of-179)
  .568, Eric Holloway, 1983-84 (79-of-139)
  .545, Kyle Cain, 2010-11 (78-of-143)
  .527, James Harden, 2007-08 (196-of-372)
  .525, Jayden Quaintance, 2024-25 (93-of-177)
  
  Diop is currently averaging 13.8 points per game, the seventh-most by a freshman in program history.
  
  Single-season points per game by Sun Devil freshmen
  19.0, Ike Diogu, 2002-03
  18.5, Jahii Carson, 2012-13
  17.8, James Harden, 2007-08
  16.1, Luguentz Dort, 2018-19
  15.4, Jamal Faulkner, 1990-91
  14.3, Josh Christopher, 2020-21
  13.8, Massamba Diop, 2025-26
  13.6, Byron Scott, 1979-80
  13.0, Ron Riley, 1992-93
  12.6, Eddie House, 1996-97
  12.5, Mario Bennett, 1991-92
  12.0, Christian Polk, 2006-07
  11.9, Joson Sanon, 2024-25
  
  Diop is currently averaging 5.9 rebounds per game, the eighth-most by a freshman in program history. He is one spot behind Jeff Ayers (Pendergraph), who was in the building tongiht for the Alumni game recognition.
  
  Single-season rebounds per game by a Sun Devil Freshman
  7.9, Jayden Quaintance, 2024-25
  7.8, Ike Diogu, 2002-03
  7.1, Romello White, 2017-18
  6.8, Mario Bennett, 1991-92
  6.2, Marcus Bagley, 2020-21
  6.2, Jamal Faulkner, 1990-91
  6.1, Jeff Pendergraph, 2005-06
  5.9, Massamba Diop, 2025-26
  5.8, Johnny Nash, 1976-77
  5.4, Kyle Cain, 2010-11
  5.3, James Harden, 2007-08
  5.2, Chris Sandle, 1984-85
  
  Diop is eighth in program history with 62 blocks this season. He needs 14 more blocks to crack the Top-5 on the list.
  
  Single-season blocks by a Sun Devil freshmen
  133 – Jordan Bachynski, 2014
  120 – Jordan Bachynski, 2013
  115 – Mario Bennett, 1995
  113 – Rodger Farrington, 1997
  75 – Ike Diogu, 2005
  69 – Tommy Smith, 2003
  63 – Jayden Quaintance, 2025 (ASU Freshmen Record)
  62 - Massamba Diop, 2026
  60 – Warren Washington, 2023

Quotables

Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley
Opening statement
“I have to compliment Allen Mukeba and Moe Odum. I've had some teams that if the guys have had their injuries, they might be out for six to eight weeks. A testament to the character of those two is that Allen had an ankle injury in the TCU game. Moe, at the end of the TCU game, came up with a foot injury. He's got a mid-foot sprain, but neither guy practiced the last two days and especially Moe, there was no hesitation when I said, ‘How are you feeling?’ ‘What do you think?’ There was not a chance in the world (that Moe Odum wouldn’t play) the way that kid looked before the game, and Allen, same thing, gutted it out. Very impressive, very thankful to have those two in the program.”

On the key to maintaining momentum
“We got off to a little bit of a flat start and they were scoring. I told the guys that the only good thing that's happened here is that (Terrence) Brown picked up two fouls that legitimately was the only good thing that happened.Then we circled the wagons and started playing better and went on a big run at the end of the first half.”

On how clean the game was
“This game was night and day compared to our TCU game. That (TCU game) was a freaking war. That felt like a football game more than a basketball game. This game (Utah game) couldn't have been any different. It was very cleanly played. I knew coming in, they (Utah Utes) were only turning teams over eight and a half times a game in league games. We had to be under eight turnovers in this game because we've done a very good job in the turnover differential and we didn't do that versus TCU. We had only 47 and we committed 13, which is really uncharacteristic of our team. So that was a point of emphasis to take care of the ball and I remember both turnovers we botched an exchange with the ball in the first half. Then Allen (Mukeba) had the right intentions to throw it to Massamba. He was wide open, just threw it too hard. So it's great as a coach when you have so few mistakes that you could clearly remember them like that.”

Junior guard Bryce Ford
On the lack of personal fouls
“The effort that we gave this game cleans up all the mistakes that we could have had. We've been preaching that all week, just effort and rotating and having our guys’ back. When we're there, you don't have to foul, just stay there. Stay strong, and make a shot.”

On the comparison between zone and man defense
"Noah Meeusen is a great shot blocker. We want to run him off the line and funnel everything to the middle and just make him shoot over the top of him, which is very difficult. That either hits backward or he's gonna block it. From there, we're just off to the race to where we're best. We have (Anthony) Pig (Johnson), he's great in transition, so that's always our advantage out of the zone.”

Senio guard Moe Odum
On carrying over the momentum into the Kansas game
“We just have to keep going over the film, looking at what we did correctly, and just follow the scout every game.The coach gives us a great scout, and if we lose, it's just because we didn't follow the scouts. We follow the scout and just watch our games where we play really great, such as a game like this, and we can learn from that. We get that energy from the game we watched over the film. We should have some wins rolling.”

On playing a smarter final two minutes to close the game
“It’s definitely growth from us as a team and definitely growth from (Anthony) Pig (Johnson). I give credit to him because he can go get a bucket whenever you want, 1-on-5, 1-on-4, it doesn’t matter. It just shows his maturity. We learned a lot of lessons because we lost a lot of leads, and I put a lot of that on me because I gotta be more of a vocal leader. I'm just happy we secured this win and kept the lead and we have to do it in the next two games.”

Redshirt sophomore Santiago Trouet
On bench points being a big factor
"We always stay together, we don't care who starts, who's on the bench. If one day he wants to put me on the bench, I'll be on the bench. Allen (Mukeba) has the same mindset, so we don't really look at that. Everybody scores, everybody plays as long as we win.”

On the zone defense look
“I like to play zone a little bit. It gives me a little break on defense, and we saw the film from our last game against them when we played zone. It worked for a little bit, then they figured it out. We changed a couple things and it messed them up so we were able to go on runs.”

PACK DFA ON TUESDAY 😈

🎟️ https://t.co/wLUt39Tf3U pic.twitter.com/y06HAInWo3

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) February 28, 2026

Up next
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball will be back home at Desert Financial Arena on Senior Night as they will host the No. 14 Kansas Jaywaks on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7 PM MST. Watch live on FS1 and listen by tuning-in to ESPN 620 AM (KTAR).

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Head coach Bobby Hurley (X: @BobbyHurley11)