TEMPE — For 11 years, Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley has commanded the spotlight at Desert Financial Arena. Highlighted by his fiery persona and ability to spearhead upset wins over highly-ranked opponents, he’s provided a host of theatrics for more than a decade in Tempe.
But with Hurley not currently under contract for next season, it’s possible that Wednesday served as the grand finale at DFA for the long-time Sun Devil head coach.
The scene was a familiar one – a ranked Kansas team coming to Tempe.
Hurley’s done it before against Kansas. He knocked off a No. 2-ranked Jayhawk squad in 2017, 95-85, then followed it up with an 80-76 win against a No. 1-ranked Kansas team at Desert Financial Arena.
He offered a nod to those teams by donning a grey sweatshirt with the phrase “Guard U” spelled out across his chest – a slogan debuted after the Sun Devils’ first win over Kansas with Hurley at the helm back in 2017, on the back of guards Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice.
And, on Wednesday night, Arizona State (16-14 overall, 7-10 Big 12) channeled the magic of Hurley’s past squads, stunning No. 14 Kansas (21-9 overall, 11-6 Big 12) by knocking off the Jayhawks 70-60 at home.
The Sun Devils’ victory marked the third under Hurley, as he improved his record to 3-1 against Kansas as head coach of the Maroon and Gold.
The circumstances of Senior Night and the possibility of the contest being Hurley’s last home game at the school brought upon mixed emotions for the long-tenured coach heading into the night.
“I was all over the place today,” Hurley said postgame. “It was kind of an awkward day. I always feel this enormous emotion with the seniors and the last game and the whole stuff. Just this opponent and the history I’ve had as a player and coach with Kansas. (It was) just very ironic and a very weird day.”
As losses have piled up in Big 12 play, the murky waters surrounding Hurley’s future have cleared to uncover a reality that reflects a grim outlook for the coach’s chances to stay with the program. It’s a situation that everyone in the building, including the players, according to Hurley, is keen to.
“I think they understand the writing on the wall,” Hurley said about his players’ awareness of the uncertainty surrounding his future. “There’s not a lot of discussion about it, but I can assume that they would have an idea.”
His team responded by backing up its coach with one of its most impressive performances of the year, bolstered by a strong defensive effort. The Sun Devils held Kansas to just 20 points in the first half on 21% shooting.
It’s only fitting that a senior guard led the charge for Hurley’s offense on Wednesday, as Moe Odum posted a game-high 23 points and sank five triples to help ASU hold on late.
Hurley, who recruited Odum out of the transfer back in the spring of 2025, has shared a special bond with the fourth-year guard, who, like Hurley, is from the Northeast and has been an underdog for a large portion of his career.
“He is the greatest coach that’s ever coached me,” Odum said. “I’m going to war with him anytime. If I had more eligibility, I wouldn’t go anywhere.”
Senior Anthony “Pig” Johnson is another overlooked guard whom Hurley has built a special connection with. He stepped up in crunch time for ASU, drilling a 3-pointer and rising to catch a lob from Odum off a steal and gracefully kissing the ball off the glass to complete a 5-point swing after Kansas cut the once 20-point Sun Devil lead down to two.
Following the sequence, a red-faced Hurley sprinted onto the court, bumping chests with his senior guards, who all but sealed the 11th-year coach’s third career victory over Kansas.
After nurturing superb guard play at the school for many years, it’s fitting that in possibly his last home game at ASU, Hurley’s guards delivered for the Maroon and Gold.
“We (Odum and Johnson) have got to have his back to show it’s Guard U,” Odum said. “Hopefully, we did that tonight.”
Arizona State will round out its regular season on March 7 when it heads up to Ames, Iowa, to take on No. 6 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum. Tip-off is slated for noon MST.
Although the Sun Devils remain out of the running to make the NCAA Tournament, barring a run to the Big 12 Championship game, Hurley’s team is still playing hard – whether it’s for their coach, whose future remains uncertain, or for personal pride.
“I don’t think it’s me,” Hurley said about why his players are still playing hard toward the tail end of the season. “I really don’t … I think these kids just want to win. Players like Moe Odum still believe there’s hope, and I do as well.”
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