Bobby Hurley: ‘I didn’t do the best job’ insulating ASU roster to withstand Big 12 season

Bobby Hurley took accountability for how ASU’s roster was not built to withstand the season’s hardships after its 71-66 loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 tournament on Tuesday.

Hurley, who is expected back for 2025-26 after a 4-16 record in the program’s first Big 12 season, lofted plenty of credit to his players for the competitive fire they played with over the last six weeks of the season, noting that he feels for the seniors who went out on such a sour note.

“To a degree, our staff and myself let them down by not having enough guys in the program that can contribute,” Hurley told reporters after the opening-round loss. “And you gotta project that things could happen and injuries could happen and … that can’t derail your season.

“So that’s something that’ll weigh on me. I’ll have a lot of regret because these guys, I think if we had the whole puzzle together, it was an NCAA tournament team and that’s not what it is right now at the moment.”

Between injuries, suspensions and a dismissal, there have been over 50 combined missed games from expected members of the rotation this season.

Hurley said the depth issues were accentuated by the competitive Big 12 schedule that gave no room for breaks against easier teams.

“You gotta have more players, more options, more physicality,” Hurley said.

Hurley: Team had ‘full commitment’ of resources from ASU

Though a lack of resources is often pointed to by outsiders as the biggest reason for the program’s shortcomings, Hurley said he had the university’s “full commitment” to support him and what he wanted to do throughout the process.

“We just have to do a better job of just having more options in case something happens with a key player that you try not to miss a beat or you could overcome it ’til those players get back and healthy again,” Hurley said.

The coach referred to significant injuries to top freshmen Jayden Quaintance (knee) and Joson Sanon (ankle) that were especially backbreaking, due to the central roles both played in the team construct.

“I didn’t do the best job,” Hurley reflected. “But ASU is not the problem whatsoever. They really backed us to go out and put together a team that should’ve been an NCAA tournament team, but we did not get the job done in that regard.”

Related

Bobby Hurley expected to return as ASU basketball coach in 2025-26Hawkins scores 26 as No. 10 Kansas State beats No. 15 Arizona State in Big 12 tourneyASU men’s basketball to face Oklahoma in Tulsa neutral-court matchupHow did former Arizona Wildcats, ASU Sun Devils and GCU ‘Lopes perform in NBA Summer League?Thunder trade former ASU G Lu Dort to Hawks in deal that includes former No. 1 pickBig 12 partnership with Monster Energy includes brand patches on football, basketball jerseys