Arizona State Faces Must-Win Game Against UCF Amid Big 12 Struggles

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona State Sun Devils are at a critical juncture in their season as they prepare to host the UCF Knights in a pivotal Big 12 Conference matchup Tuesday night. With a 1-3 start in conference play, the Sun Devils are desperate for a win to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Arizona State (10-5, 1-3 Big 12) began the season strong with a 9-2 nonconference record, but injuries and inconsistent play have plagued the team in recent weeks. Leading scorer Joson Sanon, who missed several games with an ankle injury, returned Saturday against Baylor but reinjured his ankle and will sit out Tuesday’s game. His absence leaves a significant void in the Sun Devils’ offense.

Head coach Bobby Hurley has relied on a seven-player rotation, including Alston Mason, Adam Miller, and BJ Freeman, who scored 22 points in the overtime loss to Baylor. Despite flashes of potential, the team has struggled to maintain momentum, losing two straight games and falling to No. 55 in the NCAA NET Rankings.

UCF (11-4, 2-2 Big 12) enters the game fresh off an 88-80 loss to Arizona. The Knights boast a strong offense, averaging 78.6 points per game, and have been dominant on the offensive glass, averaging 37.4 rebounds per game. Keyshawn Hall, who scored 22 points in the loss to Arizona, will be a key player to watch.

Tuesday’s game is a must-win for Arizona State, as their next three matchups—against Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Iowa State—are all Quad 1 games that could further complicate their postseason aspirations. A loss to UCF could push the Sun Devils to a 1-7 start in Big 12 play, while a win could reignite their tournament hopes.

According to ESPN’s FPI, Arizona State has a 69.4% chance to win and enters the game as 3.5-point favorites. The game tips off at 8 p.m. MST (10 p.m. ET) at Desert Financial Arena and will be broadcast on ESPNU.