Bobby Hurley says he hasn’t been told anything on ASU future despite ‘reputable’ report

Most have expected this to be Bobby Hurley’s final season as Arizona State men’s basketball coach, and he didn’t dispute the recent reports that have said as much leading up to the Big 12 Tournament.

“I talk with the team and saw the reports. Don’t want to, like, hide anything from them,” Hurley told reporters after Tuesday’s first-round win. “They play for each other, I’m coaching them to the best to my ability. I have not been told anything.

“Although the source is reputable and a guy that I know. So, I’m just doing my job and coaching my team and enjoying these moments with this group right now.”

The source alluded to by Hurley? Longtime college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, who reported on Monday that ASU is “expected to part ways with Bobby Hurley after the season.” On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed the report, but Sun Devil Source’s Chris Karpman was among those calling it “premature.”

ASU bought some time for Hurley when it beat Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, 83-79, on Tuesday. The Sun Devils led for all but the first 2:22 of the game.

Moe Odum, who tried to interject with a “next question” before Hurley answered regarding his job status, has backed the coach anytime the subject has come up. He said after a senior night upset of No. 14 Kansas that if he had additional eligibility, he’d want to spend it with Hurley.

“No, we play the same regardless. Next question,” Odum said of whether hearing the reports make the team play harder.

The coach shrugged off credit for the team’s response to explosive comments he made after the earlier West Virginia loss, instead attributing the 7-6 record since to the up-and-down nature of the Big 12 schedule.

“I don’t think it’s me making comments that changes anything,” Hurley said. “We were going through a tough stretch like you’re going to do in this league. Maybe there’s a couple teams that are built to sustain a top effort, but there’s no basketball conference like this.

“Me making a statement is more to shake things up and see what happens, but these guys, like, they’re resilient, they’re tough and they responded, and they have all year.”

ASU will get its next crack at extending Hurley’s tenure in Wednesday’s matchup against Iowa State at 9:30 a.m.

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