Key Highlights
- The Arizona State Sun Devils face Georgia State and Hawaii in their upcoming schedule.
- Hawaii’s offense is well-balanced with seven players averaging at least six points per game.
- An upcoming game against the Texas Longhorns will mark Hurley’s first encounter with former Pac-12 rival Sean Miller.
- A win over Washington State would push ASU into the Maui tournament championship round.
Arizona State Sun Devils Face Busy Week Ahead
The Arizona State Sun Devils men’s basketball team is gearing up for a busy week, with key games against Georgia State and Hawaii. The squad, led by head coach Bobby Hurley, finished their four-game homestand on Friday night with a competitive loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Homestand Ends with Loss to Gonzaga
The Sun Devils’ recent performance saw them decisively win their first two games of the 2025-26 season. However, the team’s momentum was dampened by a tough 77-65 defeat against Gonzaga on Friday night. The loss is part of an eventful start to the season for Arizona State, which has shown promise despite facing strong competition.
Georgia State Challenge
The Sun Devils will look to bounce back in their Monday match-up with Georgia State. The Panthers have started the campaign with a 1-3 record, but two notable players, sophomore guard Jelani Hamilton and forward Joah Chappelle, are averaging double-digit scoring figures.
Hawaii on the Horizon
Arizona State will then travel to Hawaii ahead of Thanksgiving week. The Rainbow Warriors have started strong with a 4-1 record, including a victory over Utah Tech and nearly defeating Oregon in their season opener. Center Isaac Johnson has been particularly impressive, averaging 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Preparation for Maui Invitational
The game against Hawaii is part of preparation for the Maui Invitational tournament on Monday, November 24th. This marks Hurley’s first face-off with former Arizona coach Sean Miller since the 2020-21 season. A win in this match could set up a potential game against another Pac-12 rival, Washington State.
A victory over Washington State would push the Sun Devils into the Maui tournament championship round, where they could face off against teams like NC State or USC. The upcoming games are crucial for Hurley and his squad as they continue to build chemistry and challenge themselves in a compelling non-conference slate.
For more updates on Arizona State men’s basketball, follow Kevin Hicks on Twitter @khicks_21.
