Tension runs high for Arizona State, Arizona in rivalry game
Dec 30, 2017, 8:55 PM
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley calls out plays to his team in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game against Longwood, Tuesday, Dec 19, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State defeated Longwood 95-61. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
In arguably the biggest matchup between Arizona State and Arizona in years, tension was bound to run high at the McKale Center in Tucson.
In front of a packed house the nerves for Arizona State showed early, as the Sun Devils had nine first half turnovers on their way to a two-point deficit at the half.
The crowd seemingly also got to Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley, who not only lost his jacket early in the first half, but was seen shouting at a fan heading into the locker room.
Bobby Hurley had some words with the fans at McKale going into the tunnel at the half. #ASU #UA pic.twitter.com/yOOtBkMi2W
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 31, 2017
What exactly was said to Hurley cannot be heard in the video, and neither is the response Hurley gave to the fan.
But, by the look of Hurley’s body language, whatever was said did not sit well with the Sun Devils coach.
And, it didn’t get much better for Hurley and the Sun Devils in the second half.
Midway through the first half senior guard Shannon Evans II was issued a technical foul that didn’t also caused tempers to flare for Hurley.
Bobby Hurley is about the pop a blood vessel or something. #ASU pic.twitter.com/PSpN1TR8Xj
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 31, 2017
However, it wasn’t much better for Arizona Wildcats freshman Deandre Ayton as he was issued a technical foul early in the game for putting his elbow to the chest of Evans.
Arizona's DeAndre Ayton, a likely NBA high lottery pick, gets a technical foul for swinging his elbow at Shannon Evans. #ASU #UA pic.twitter.com/IQbyTx0oLh
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 31, 2017
Not to mention, at the end of the first half Wildcats head coach Sean Miller was appalled after officials disputed what he believed to be a goaltend, saying the shot was going to end up to the left of the basket.
Sean Miller, at the half: #ASU #UA pic.twitter.com/sEmiZmQ1Ho
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 31, 2017
Currently halfway through the second half, Hurley’s voice is gone, as the Pac-12 Network reported Sun Devil players are having trouble hearing him in the huddle.
Hang in there, Bobby.
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