The Sun Devils fall to 9-3 and may face a challenging 2025 if they don’t find a way to play consistently well. Arizona State men’s basketball won’t be welcoming the new year on a positive note. On Tuesday, they struggled in their Big 12 opener against BYU, losing 76-56 in a game that felt lost from the beginning.
ASU (9-3) found themselves down by double digits just five minutes into the first half and couldn’t bounce back, even though they managed a 16-5 run before halftime.
BYU (10-2) made only nine three-pointers throughout the game, with six of those coming in the first half, which seemed to seal the fate of the Sun Devils, who struggled to maintain offensive rhythm for the full forty minutes.
BJ Freeman was the sole ASU player to score in double digits, finishing with just 11 points. The Sun Devils shot a disappointing 36.7 percent from the field and only 20 percent from three-point range, despite attempting 29 shots from beyond the arc in a lost effort to catch the dominant Cougars.
Is ASU a contender or a fraud? The Sun Devils need to prove they belong in a competitive Big 12. Following Tuesday’s setback, head coach Bobby Hurley must rally his team to return stronger in their next game on January 4 against Colorado.
Every game will count in a Big 12 conference that seems poised to secure at least five NCAA tournament bids. ASU has no ranked victories heading into conference play, having lost twice to Top 10 teams, with tougher challenges on the horizon.
Before the BYU matchup, the Devils were ranked No. 51 in the crucial NET rankings, but that standing is likely to drop after their performance on Tuesday. The selection committee will not look favorably upon ASU’s resume if they continue to show inconsistent play in 2025.
The only potential advantage ASU holds despite a tough record is their challenging schedule. Competing in the Big 12 was always going to be a significant challenge, but now they face the real test, and showing up to compete is the first step. Unfortunately, they didn’t do that on Tuesday, leaving fans hoping they can regain their focus as we enter the new year.
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