- Slug: ASU MBB Struggles, 620 words.
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By Luc Carter
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – The Arizona State men’s basketball team has faced a tumultuous road this season. From close heartbreaking losses to injuries and player suspensions, the Sun Devils’ Big 12 debut has not gone as planned, especially considering the promise they showcased through non-conference play.
The window for a tournament bid is quickly closing for the Sun Devils (12-11, 3-9 Big 12), who entered Wednesday’s matchup on the road against No. 12 Texas Tech riding a three-game skid after a 9-2 start to the 2024–25 regular season. The Sun Devils have since dropped nine of their last 12 games.
Last week marked ASU’s lowest point of the season, with two losses to unranked conference opponents who both had records of .500 or under in Kansas State and Oklahoma State.
The Sun Devils got off to an 18-2 start against Kansas State at home, but trailed by halftime and lost 71-70 after freshman Jayden Quaintance missed two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining.
“I am searching, we all are searching, we are right there, knocking on the door in all these games, but we can’t find a way to get over the top,” said Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley. “I’ll have to really think hard about that, I try to do the best job I can with this team and I am just not getting through to them enough and it’s not going well right now.”
The Sun Devils have had issues keeping their composure on the court throughout the season. BJ Freeman and Adam Miller missed ASU’s game Sunday in Stillwater against Oklahoma State due to suspensions. Miller earned a flagrant 2 fighting foul against Kansas State, which constituted an automatic one-game suspension by the NCAA. Freeman earned a one-game suspension from ASU for violating conduct detrimental to the team.
Adding to Hurley’s challenges, Quaintance and Joson Sanon have both dealt with injuries over the past weeks.
“It’s very frustrating,” Hurley said after the Sun Devils’ 83-76 loss to Oklahoma State. “Again we have guys out for non-injury stuff and that’s kind of on us but we also have one of our key guys get hurt every game since the BYU game when Joson went down.
“And then we get him back and he’s shown signs he’s moving better but we’ve just been plugging our finger in a dam the whole Big 12 schedule with guys in and out of the lineup for various reasons and injuries and other stuff.”
ASU point guard Alston Mason has been the one constant in the Sun Devils’ starting lineup, starting all 23 games this season while leading the Big 12 in minutes per game (38.1).
Mason, a senior Missouri State transfer, has accepted his role as a leader for this Sun Devil team, which has only two rotation players who are returners from last season.
During the two tough losses this past week, Mason shined with 20 points against Kansas State and 25 against Oklahoma State.
“I am not saying I got the magic dust but we sat down and talked after the Arizona game and the last two games he’s been just a different type of player, being a playmaker, doing everything he can for us to have a chance to win,” Hurley said.
The Sun Devils face another uphill battle in their road trip. With Freeman and Miller expected to return to the lineup against Texas Tech, a Sun Devils’ upset win could be the spark they need to revitalize their season.
“It’s unfortunate not having some of our key guys but it gives opportunity for other guys to step up and play a role, ” Mason said. “With basketball you can go up and down, sticking with it and being a better leader on and off the floor and just being aggressive.
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