Struggling ASU Basketball Faces Kansas State in Big 12 Tournament Opener

TEMPE, Ariz. — After a disappointing end to the 2024-25 regular season, the Arizona State Sun Devils will face No. 10 Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament on March 11. Following a blowout 85-57 loss to No. 9 Texas Tech, head coach Bobby Hurley expressed concern about his team’s performance and his future with the program.

“I’m here getting ready for the Big 12 tournament, and all those decisions are really out of my hands,” Hurley said during a postgame press conference. He declined to discuss any conversations with athletic director Graham Rossini regarding his job security.

Hurley, in his 10th season with ASU, has guided the team to three NCAA tournament appearances but is currently facing criticism after finishing the regular season at 13-17. The Sun Devils, who will enter the tournament as the No. 15 seed, have endured a series of setbacks, including player injuries and disciplinary issues, which have plagued their performance all season.

This year’s squad started strong but struggled due to rising injuries and lack of depth, leading to a critical need for success in the upcoming tournament. Hurley noted how injuries affected the team’s performance, especially in the last two games of the season.

In preparation for the conference tournament, Hurley provided updates on the team’s health. Senior guard Adam Miller, who has been dealing with injuries, has a good chance of participation. “My guess is that Adam is going to play in the Big 12 tournament,” he said. However, he expressed doubt about the availability of freshman Jayden Quaintance, who is also out with an injury.

Arizona State will face a tough Kansas State team, and the stakes are high as they must win to stay in contention for the NCAA tournament. ASU has failed to progress past the Round of 64 in the NCAA tournament under Hurley’s guidance, creating pressure heading into the Big 12 tournament.

In a challenging environment, with fans expecting improvement from the basketball program similar to that of the football team, Hurley remains focused on motivating his players. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future with ASU, his commitment to the team is unwavering.

“It’s hard because I want it bad for this team. We worked really hard. That’s where more of my disappointment is,” Hurley said, reflecting on the team’s struggles this season.

The Big 12 tournament begins March 11 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, with all matches to be broadcast on ESPN networks. The matchup between ASU and Kansas State is set to tip off at 4 p.m. MST.