Arizona State Coach Calls Out Lack of Fans at Rivalry Game

Bobby Hurley disappointed by 'too many red shirts' in the arena during loss to No. 1 Arizona.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 12:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Arizona State head basketball coach Bobby Hurley expressed disappointment in the lack of Sun Devils fans at Saturday's game against rival Arizona, saying the crowd was evenly split between the two teams. Despite a competitive effort, Arizona's depth and talent ultimately proved too much for ASU, which has struggled in conference play recently.

Why it matters

Hurley's comments highlight the challenges Arizona State faces in building a strong home-court advantage, especially against their biggest rival. The Sun Devils' recent struggles have dampened fan enthusiasm, making it harder to create an intimidating environment for opposing teams.

The details

Arizona State fell 78-65 to No. 1 Arizona on Saturday. Despite being tied at halftime, the Sun Devils couldn't overcome the Wildcats' superior talent and depth. ASU shot 42% from the field and 33% from 3-point range, while Arizona scored 21 points off Sun Devils turnovers. Sophomore guard Noah Meeusen led ASU with 16 points off the bench.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Bobby Hurley

The head basketball coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Noah Meeusen

A sophomore guard for the Arizona State Sun Devils who scored a team-high 16 points in the loss to Arizona.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our fans that did show up were vocal. Unfortunately, there were too many red shirts in the arena. It was not a home game. It was like a crowd, 50-50, 60-40, either way.”

— Bobby Hurley, Head Coach, Arizona State Sun Devils (on3.com)

“It's kind of too late to put things together, I would say. But, more or less, we've been scrappy. We compete. We've beaten Texas, beaten Oklahoma, beat Santa Clara. Close games. Fortunate to win a couple of them. We've kind of done as good as we can do.”

— Bobby Hurley, Head Coach, Arizona State Sun Devils (on3.com)

What’s next

Arizona State will look to bounce back from the loss when they take on Utah on Wednesday, February 5th at 7pm MT. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

The takeaway

Hurley's comments underscore the challenges Arizona State faces in building a strong home-court advantage, especially against their biggest rival Arizona. The Sun Devils' recent struggles have dampened fan enthusiasm, making it harder to create an intimidating environment for opposing teams. Rebuilding that fan support will be crucial for ASU as they look to turn their season around.