Arizona State Sun Devils Face Off Against Saint Mary’s in Acrisure Classic Championship

The Arizona State Sun Devils men’s basketball team is set to face the Saint Mary’s Gaels in the championship game of the Acrisure Classic on Friday, November 29, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California. The Sun Devils, with a record of 6-1, advanced to the championship after a thrilling 85-82 victory over New Mexico on Thursday night. This win marked Head Coach Bobby Hurley‘s 16th victory at a neutral site while at ASU and highlighted the team’s ability to win close games and make crucial halftime adjustments.

Saint Mary’s, currently undefeated at 7-0, presents a significant challenge for the Sun Devils. The Gaels are known for their strong defensive performance, allowing just 60.7 points per game, and their deliberate pace, ranking 349th in the nation in adjusted tempo. Saint Mary’s is led by senior guard Augustas Marciulionis, who averages 14.1 points, 5.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Other key contributors include Paulius Murauskas, averaging 13.9 points and 9.6 rebounds, and freshman guard Mikey Lewis, who is the team’s best 3-point shooter with a 40.6% average.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM MST and will be broadcast on TruTV. The Sun Devils are seeking their fourth non-conference tournament championship under Coach Bobby Hurley, having previously won the 2022 Legends Classic, the 2018 MGM Resorts Title, and the 2017 Continental Tire Invitational.

In their previous game against New Mexico, the Sun Devils demonstrated their scoring prowess, having scored 80+ points in six consecutive games. Basheer Jihad led the team with 20 points and six rebounds, while freshman Joson Sanon contributed 19 points off the bench. The team’s ability to come back from a late deficit and secure the win showcased their resilience and teamwork.