ASU BASKETBALL

Despite poor record, ASU’s Bobby Hurley pleased with team development

Jan 20, 2022, 10:57 AM

This season has not brought the record Arizona State and head coach Bobby Hurley were hoping for at 6-9, but the coach is pleased with how the new group is improving as a unit.

Outside of sophomore forward Marcus Bagley, senior forward Kimani Lawrence and junior forward Jalen Graham, the Sun Devils’ roster is molded with new faces of contributors from the transfer portal. That can often lead to chemistry issues early in the season

Hurley told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday that the influx of players from the transfer portal has impacted his style of coaching. Despite how the win-loss column looks, he likes the individual adjustments made following the team’s two games against Colorado and Utah.

“We talked about what happened in that Colorado game,” Hurley said. “We had a good practice and the guys came out very determined against Utah. It was great to see them play better offense.”

The Sun Devils took a one possession game into half against Colorado before falling by 18. ASU bounced back two days later, however with Graham hitting a game-winning shot to take a 64-62 victory over Utah.

It was a big two games for Graham, who posted a career high 16 points over 20 minutes off the bench in the loss to Colorado.

“He (Graham) and I had a very good talk before the Colorado game,” Hurley said.

“Just to take advantage of every moment left in the season. He had a good way about him, he had a confident look. He is a guy that can really help us score the ball in the paint while we have been struggling to shoot the three this year.”

Arizona State will travel to play Stanford on Saturday at 9 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 FM HD-2.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

ASU Basketball

Jayden Quaintance is going to be out for a period of time after rolling his ankle on Sunday...

Tyler Drake

Hurley: ASU’s Jayden Quaintance ‘out for a period of time’ with ankle sprain

Arizona State center Jayden Quaintance is going to miss some time after rolling his ankle in Sunday's loss against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

8 hours ago

ASU...

Damon Allred

Shorthanded ASU can’t get over the hump at Oklahoma State

Given the circumstances it was facing, ASU men's basketball competed well to not be put away in a loss at Oklahoma State on Sunday.

2 days ago

Jayden Quaintance...

Damon Allred

ASU’s Jayden Quaintance exits vs. Oklahoma State, out with ankle injury

ASU's Jayden Quaintance left Sunday's game against Oklahoma State with a left ankle injury after he was seemingly tripped in transition and will not return.

2 days ago

ASU...

Bailey Leasure

ASU’s Adam Miller, BJ Freeman suspended for 1 game, out vs. Oklahoma State

Arizona State guards Adam Miller and BJ Freeman have reportedly been suspended for one game and will not play against Oklahoma State on Sunday.

2 days ago

Tempe brewery NIL...

Arizona Sports

Tempe brewery signs sponsorship and NIL deal with ASU

Tempe-based Huss Brewing Co. announced it has signed a multifaceted sponsorship deal with Arizona State University, which includes the creation of a Sun Devil specific ale.

4 days ago

Bobby Hurley...

Damon Allred

ASU AD Graham Rossini agrees Bobby Hurley’s handling of Arizona loss was unacceptable

Arizona State AD Graham Rossini on Thursday was critical of how men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley handled Saturday's loss to Arizona.

5 days ago

Despite poor record, ASU’s Bobby Hurley pleased with team development