ASU Men's Basketball Hosting Washington on Thursday

By: Connor Smith

TEMPE - Sun Devil Men's Basketball begins the final homestand of the season by hosting Washington on Thursday at 7 PM MST.

Arizona State (13-13, 7-8) has a total of five games left in the 2023-24 regular season, three of which will take place at Desert Financial Arena. The stretch starts with a matchup against the Huskies (14-12, 6-9) on Thursday at 7 PM MST. Head Coach Bobby Hurley's team is looking for their fourth-consecutive win over Washington in Tempe. ASU has an opportunity to make a move as they find themselves in the middle of a crowded Pac-12 Conference standings with three weeks remaining. 

HOW TO FOLLOW
The broadcast of Sun Devil Men's Basketball's game on Thursday will air on ESPN2 when they host Washington, scheduled for a 7 PM MST tip-off with John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Corey Williams (analyst) on the call. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on ESPN 620 AM (KTAR). The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.

GET TICKETS
Tickets for the final three games of the 2023-24 Sun Devil Men's Basketball season are on sale now, featuring upcoming matchups with Washington, Washington State and Arizona. For more information or questions, please call 480-965-5812 or email sundeviltickets@asu.edu.
 

MILESTONE ACHIEVED
Bobby Hurley secured his 150th victory as the head coach of Sun Devil Men's Basketball over Utah on Jan. 4. The win makes him just the third coach in program history to win 150 games at ASU.

ASU MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH CAREER WINS
406, Ned Wulk (1957-82)
159, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
154, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)

Hurley also collected his 75th win in Pac-12 Conference play earlier in the season, the most of any coach in program history (Pac-10/12 era). 

ASU MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH CAREER PAC-10/12 WINS
78, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
72, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
67, Bill Frieder (1990-97)
55, Rob Evans (1999-06)
46, Ned Wulk (1978-82)

ABOUT THOSE SUN DEVIL WINS
Coach Hurley has notched 154 wins at Arizona State and has done it while scheduling aggressively and not being afraid to play on the road. He has won 97 games in Arizona, but also has won at least five games in California (14), Nevada (12), Oregon (six) and Washington (five). Four wins have taken place in Utah, three in New York, and two in Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Single wins have taken place in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey and Texas.

I'LL TAKE THAT
Through 26 games of the 2023-24 season, Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation. Collins has 74 steals, putting him third in the country in the category. He is currently fourth in the nation in steals per game, averaging 2.9 per contest. He matched a program-record with eight steals in the victory over UMass Lowell and has 14 3+-steal performance already this season. Collins is only two steals away from matching Lafayette Lever's single-season program record of 76 steals set in 1982. Collins is on pace for nearly 100 steals over a 32-game season and could become only the fourth player in Pac-10/12 history to record a 100-steal season. His 74 steals are 28 MORE than any other player in the Pac-12 (Kobe Johnson, USC - 46) and he has four games with 6+ steals.

MOST STEALS IN CONFERENCE HISTORY (SINGLE SEASON)
126 - Matisse Thybulle (Washington), 2019
110 - Jason Kidd (California), 1993
101 - Matisse Thybulle (Washington), 2018
100 - Gary Payton (Oregon State), 1990
*Frankie Collins on pace for 93 steals

MOST SUN DEVIL STEALS IN A SEASON
76 – Lafayette Lever, 1982
74 – Frankie Collins, 2024
74 – Eddie House, 2000
74 – Lafayette Lever, 1981
73 – James Harden, 2008
73 – Marcell Capers, 1993

FRANKIE DOES IT ALL
Guard Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the top all-around players in the Pac-12 Conference. He is currently THE ONLY PLAYER in the nation averaging at least 13.7 points (1st on team), 4.5 rebounds (2nd on team), 3.4 assists (1st on team), and 2.9 steals (1st on team). Collins is stuffing the stat sheet in a historic manner while playing only 31.9 minutes per game (T-20th in the conference). Collins has been extremely consistent, reaching double figures scoring in 23 of the 26 games this season. 

COMFORTABLE WHEN IT'S CLOSE
After going 12-5 in games decided by six points or less (two possessions) last year, the Sun Devils are 5-2 in such games so far this season. Arizona State is now 40-20 (.666) in close games over the past five seasons. The 40 wins are the most in the nation during that span. ASU is 5-1 in games decided by three points or fewer this season. To take it a step further, ASU is 6-2 over its last eight tilts when the game is decided by a two-point deficit or less. Overall ASU is 25-16 in two point or less games under Bobby Hurley.

DON'T COUNT US OUT
Arizona State has come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 44 times during the Bobby Hurley era, including in a recent road victory over Utah. ASU trailed by two at halftime before outscoring the Utes 45-35 to claim an impressive road victory. Since 2015-16, the Sun Devils are Top-15 in the nation and lead the Pac-12 with their 44 halftime comeback victories.

2023-24 (5)
(-2) Utah 42, ASU 40/Feb. 10, 2024/ASU 85, Utah 77
(-10) Cal 35, ASU 25/Dec. 31, 2023/ASU 71, Cal 69
(-9) Stanford 37, ASU 28/Dec. 29, 2023/ASU 76, Stanford 73
(-3) SMU 40, ASU 36/Dec. 6, 2023/ASU 76, SMU 74
(-9) UMass Lowell 31, ASU 22/Nov. 16, 2023/ASU 71, UMass Lowell 69

ASU trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half of the Cal game, making this the second straight season in which they overcame a deficit of at least 16 to win a conference game. The Sun Devils won at Oregon St on 1/14/23 after trailing by as many as 16 in the first half.

WHAT'S TRENDING

• Adam Miller has scored at least 14 points in each of his last four games, averaging 15.5 points during that span. He is shooting an extremely efficient 23-for-39 (59%) from the field and 8-for-17 (47.1%) from three. He is also 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
• Jose Perez has scored at least 14 points in each of his last three games, averaging 17.0 points during that span. He is shooting the ball at a 50% clip (17-for-34) and is 15-for-17 (88.2%) from the free-throw line. He now has 17 double-figure scoring performances this season.
• Jamiya Neal has scored 12 or more points in each of his last six games, averaging 14.7 points during that span.

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Arizona State has done an excellent job of taking care of the basketball during the 2023-24 season. The Sun Devils have won the turnover battle in 21 of their 26 games this season. The Maroon & Gold are the best team in the Pac-12 and rank 29th in the nation when it comes to turnover margin, sitting at +3.2 on the year. ASU forces the second most turnovers/game (13.7) while committing the least (10.5) of any team in the Pac-12.

ZO SAYS NO
Sun Devil forward Alonzo Gaffney is one of the most versatile defenders in the Pac-12 and is a key to the Arizona State defense. He is the ONLY PLAYER in the conference with at least 30 blocks (30) and 30 steals (31) this season. Gaffney has ten games in which he has registered one block and one steal. He ranks 5th in the league in blocks and is T-11th in steals.

ASU RECORD BY STARTING LINEUP
Due injuries to Shawn Phillips Jr., Zane Meeks, and Brycen Long early in the season, the Sun Devils have been shorthanded most of the year. With Adam Miller gaining eligibility midway through the campaign, fluctuation continues with Arizona State's roster. This has resulted in Coach Hurley using ten different starting lineup combinations in 26 games. Frankie Collins is the only Sun Devils to have started every game. ASU has at least one win with six different lineup combinations. The Maroon & Gold started a different lineup against Arizona for the fourth straight game.

Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney (5-8)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Bryant Selebangue, Alonzo Gaffney (4-1)
Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jose Perez, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Jose Perez, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Shawn Phillips Jr. (0-1)
Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (0-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney (0-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr. (0-1)

PEREZ WILL MAKE YOU PAY
Graduate transfer Jose Perez has been a huge addition to the Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. He is one of the best players in the country at getting to the free-throw line. He set a new career-high against SMU earlier in the year, attempting 15 free throws in the victory. Perez has now attempted 706 free throws in his career, the sixth-highest total among active NCAA Division I players. His 527 made free-throws puts him eighth among active NCAA Division I players. Perez is a career 74.6% shooter from the charity stripe and is 42-for-48 (87.5%) over his last 11 games. He currently ranks 53rd in the nation and second in the Pac-12 this year with 151 free throw attempts. 

Perez is one of only 16 active players at the NCAA Division I level that has reached 1,795 career points (1,796) and 405 career assists (408). Perez has the third-fewest total games played (123) of any player on the list (James Bishop IV, George Washington - 120; Mark Sears, Alabama, 121). In the win over Stanford, he secured his 500th career rebound, making him one of only 24 active players at the Division I level with 1,795 career points and 540 career rebounds (540). To take it a step further, Perez dished out his 400th career assist in the second meeting with Stanford, meaning he is now one of only SEVEN players at the NCAA Division I level with at least 1,795 points, 405 assists, AND 540 rebounds in their career (Tristen Newton - UConn, RayJ Dennis - Baylor, Andrew Taylor - Mississippi State, Marcus Domask - Illinois, Baylor Scheierman - Creighton, Jahmir Yong - Maryland). He is one of ten players in the Pac-12 to have seven or more 20+ point performances.

GAMES PLAYED (2023-24 | Career)
Alonzo Gaffney played in his 100th career game at the Division I level against Washington. He became the third Sun Devil on the current roster to reach that mark, joining Zane Meeks and Jose Perez. ASU has seven players with over 80 games of experience at the Division I level. 

Kamari Lands - 26 | 58
Frankie Collins - 26 | 92
Braelon Green - 22 | 22
Brycen Long - 6 | 90
Jamiya Neal - 26 | 87
Malachi Davis - 7 | 7
Alonzo Gaffney - 26 | 110
Shawn Phillips Jr. - 18 | 38
Bobby Hurley - 5 | 17
Jose Perez - 26 | 123
Zane Meeks - 5 | 110
Akil Watson - 19 | 19
Bryant Selebangue - 26 | 56
Adam Miller - 17 | 81

Sun Devils have a combined 911 games of experience at the Division I Level (includes previous school).

70-POINT MARK
Arizona State have just two losses this season when they score 70+ points (at San Diego & at Oregon State). They are 11-2 in such games this season. ASU is averaging 76.4 points in their 13 wins and 62.8 points in their 13 losses. By contrast, the Sun Devils are holding opponents to 67.2 points in their 13 wins and allowing 79.5 points in their 13 losses. 

THREE-POINT NOTE
Arizona State made six three pointers against No. 5 Arizona. The Sun Devils have made at least one three-point field goal in 730 consecutive games dating back to 2/10/2001. 

CONSTANT COMPETITION
Coach Hurley has challenged his team with an extremely difficult non-conference slate. Sun Devil Men's Basketball was ready for Pac-12 play after facing one of the toughest schedules in the country so far this season. Here is a closer look at who ASU has played this season.

• Mississippi State - 17-8 record; ranked four weeks in AP Poll; undefeated in neutral sites; NET of 38; win over No. 5 Tennessee
• Win vs. Texas Southern - No. 7 NET non-con SOS; 8-5 in SWAC
• Win vs. UMass Lowell - 17-7 record, 8-3 in AEC; 10-4 road record (win at Georgia Tech)
• BYU - 18-7 record; No. 25 ranking in latest AP Poll; undefeated in neutral sites; wins vs. No. 24 Iowa State, vs. No. 17 San Diego State
• Win vs. Sam Houston State - 15-11 record, 8-3 in C-USA (Tied for 1st)
• Win vs. San Francisco - 21-6, 10-2 in WCC; NET of 61; 6-3 on the road
• Win vs. SMU - 19-7 record, 10-3 in AAC; NET of 34; 5-4 on the road with wins over Florida St., Murray St., and Tulane
• TCU - 18-7 record, 7-5 in Big 12; ranked four weeks in AP Poll; wins over No. 2 Houston, No. 9 Oklahoma, at No. 15 Baylor, and No. 15 Texas Tech; NET of 36
• Northwestern - 18-8 record, 9-6 in Big Ten; wins over No. 2 Purdue and No. 10 Illinois; NET of 57
• Win at Stanford - 9-4 at home including win over No. 12 Arizona
• Season sweep of Utah - 16-10 record; NET 49; win over No. 22 BYU; 12-2 at home (only losses to ASU and No. 8 Arizona)
• Win vs. Colorado - 17-9 record; 8-7 in Pac-12; win over Miami; NET of 41
• at Washington - 14-12 record; 10-5 at home
• vs. UCLA - preseason Top-25; 9-6 in Pac-12; won eight of last ten
• Win vs. USC - preseason Top-25; wins over Kansas State & Seton Hall
• at Oregon - 17-8, 9-5 in Pac-12; 11-2 at home; NET of 62
• Win vs. Oregon State - win over No. 10 Arizona; 11-5 at home
• at No. 5 Arizona - Ranked in Top-25 entire 2023-24 season; 1st in Pac-12 with 11-3 record; NET of 3

ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Arizona State features a total of 11 new players on their roster, joining returners Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Bobby Hurley, and Jordan Williams to make up the 2023-24 Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. The following is a roundup of the ASU newcomer class.

2023 INCOMING TRANSFERS
G Kamari Lands - Louisville
G Brycen Long - Houston Christian
C Shawn Phillips Jr. - LSU
G Jose Perez - West Virginia
F Zane Meeks - San Francisco
F Bryant Selebangue - Tulsa
G Adam Miller - LSU

JUCO ADDITION
G Malachi Davis - Tallahassee CC

FRESHMAN CLASS
G Braelon Green - Southfield, MI
F Akil Watson - Middletown, NY

BY CLASS
Graduate Student (2): Zane Meeks (San Francisco), Jose Perez (West Virginia)
Redshirt Senior (1) Alonzo Gaffney
Senior (1): Brycen Long
Redshirt Junior (1): Adam Miller
Junior (6): Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Malachi Davis, Bobby Hurley, Bryant Selebangue, Jordan Williams
Sophomore (3): Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr., Zack Markus
Freshman (3): Braelon Green, Andrew Mayock, Akil Watson

BY STATE (10 States Represented)
Ohio (3) – Jamiya Neal (Toledo), Alonzo Gaffney (Cleveland), Shawn Phillips Jr. (Dayton)
New York (3)  – Jose Perez (Bronx), Zack Markus (New York City), Akil Watson (Middletown)
California (2) – Frankie Collins (Sacramento), Jordan Williams (Los Angeles)
Canada (2) – Malachi Davis (Toronto), Bryant Selebangue (Montreal)
Arizona (2) – Brycen Long (Gilbert), Bobby Hurley (Scottsdale)
Indiana (1) – Kamari Lands (Indianapolis)
Michigan (1) – Braelon Green (Southfield)
Connecticut (1) – Andrew Mayock (New Canaan)
Kansas (1) – Zane Meeks (Prairie Village)
Illinois (1) – Adam Miller (Peoria)

SOLIDIFYING HIS STAFF
Head Coach Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program officially announced the final additions to the 2023-24 staff in October. Arizona State welcomes Yusuf Ali and Jarryn Skeete to the Sun Devil Family, with Nick Irvin and Mickey Mitchell receiving promotions. The news comes after Greg Lansing (Special Assistant to the Head Coach) and Hunter Eisenhower (Associate Head Coach - Sports Performance) joined the staff earlier in the offseason. ASU now boasts an experienced and diverse staff from top to bottom, featuring some of the nation's top rising talent in the coaching industry.

HERE TO STAY
The Arizona State Board of Regents announced in March of 2023 that Sun Devil Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Hurley has agreed to an extension that will keep him with the program through the 2026 season.

NCAAS UNDER COACH HURLEY
ASU has made the NCAA Tournament three times in the past five chances (2023, 2019, and 2018) and won two games. In the previous 32 seasons (1986-2017),  ASU made two NCAA Tournaments and was 2-3.

WHERE TO WATCH
All 31 of Arizona State's games will be televised, with Coach Hurley's squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports, Pac-12 Network and several major network affiliates in addition to online streaming platforms.

PHOENIX HOSTING THE 2024 MEN'S FINAL FOUR
The 2024 Men's Final Four will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., with the national semifinals on Saturday, April 6 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8, 2024. This is the second time the state of Arizona has hosted the Final Four, also doing so back in 2017. Arizona State will once again serve as the host institution as they did for the 2017 edition.

SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).