ASU Basketball Coach Hurley Reflects on Sweep by Rival Arizona

Hurley discusses Sun Devils' struggles in back-to-back losses to Wildcats

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Arizona State men's basketball head coach Bobby Hurley spoke to reporters after his team was swept in a two-game series against in-state rival Arizona. Hurley analyzed what went wrong for the Sun Devils in the second matchup against the Wildcats, acknowledging his team's difficulties in the lopsided defeats.

Why it matters

The annual rivalry between Arizona State and Arizona is one of the most anticipated college basketball events in the state. Hurley's candid comments provide insight into the Sun Devils' struggles and the challenges they face in competing with their dominant Pac-12 foe.

The details

Hurley discussed his team's inability to match Arizona's intensity and execution, particularly on the defensive end, which led to the Sun Devils' second consecutive loss to the Wildcats. He noted that his players will need to regroup and learn from these defeats in order to bounce back for the remainder of the Pac-12 season.

  • The Sun Devils and Wildcats played their second game against each other on January 31, 2026.

The players

Bobby Hurley

The head coach of the Arizona State men's basketball team.

Arizona Wildcats

The men's basketball team from the University of Arizona, a rival of Arizona State.

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What they’re saying

“We just couldn't match their intensity and execution, especially on the defensive end. That's something we're going to have to learn from and get better at.”

— Bobby Hurley, Head Coach, Arizona State Men's Basketball (azcentral.com)

What’s next

Hurley and the Sun Devils will look to rebound from the two losses to Arizona when they return to Pac-12 conference play in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The rivalry between Arizona State and Arizona remains a significant challenge for Hurley's Sun Devils, who will need to make adjustments and improve their defensive performance in order to compete with the Wildcats going forward.