2023-11-21 23:50:23
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TEMPE – Sun Devil Men’s Basketball will be spending Thanksgiving away from home as they prepare to compete in the Vegas Showdown.
Arizona State will take on BYU in the second of two semifinal matchups at the Vegas Showdown. The ASU-BYU contest is scheduled for 10 PM AZT, but will take place 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The Sun Devils will play either NC State/Vanderbilt on Friday depending on the outcome of Thursday’s games. The entire Vegas Showdown will air on ESPN2. The Sun Devils (2-1) are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind victory on Thursday and have used the week to prepare for a challenging opponent.
HOW TO FOLLOW
ASU’s game against BYU on Thursday will air on ESPN2, scheduled for a 10 PM MST tip-off. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
VEGAS SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
Date
Time (AZT)
Matchup/Event
Network
Thu, Nov. 23
8:00 p.m.
NC State vs. Vanderbilt
ESPN2
10:00 p.m.
BYU vs. Arizona State
ESPN2
Fri, Nov. 24
6 p.m.
Third Place Game
ESPN2
8 p.m.
Championship Game
ESPN2
BATTLING BYU
BYU has been one of Arizona State’s most common non-conference opponents over the years. This will be the 50th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the Cougars holding a slight 27-22 advantage. The last meeting took place in Provo back in 2009. ASU and BYU matched up in a neutral site contest back in 2008 at the Arizona Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, with James Harden leading the Sun Devils to a victory over Jimmer Fredette’s Cougars 76-75.
SUN DEVILS IN VEGAS
Head Coach Bobby Hurley and Sun Devil Men’s Basketball are no stranger to competing in Las Vegas, as the program has had plenty of success in the city during his tenure. Arizona State went 3-1 in Las Vegas a season ago, picking up victories over Creighton, Oregon State, and USC. In previous years, Coach Hurley has guided ASU to neutral site tournament championships at the 2017 Continental Tire Invitational and the 2018 MGM Resorts Main Event. Here is a look back at some of the program’s biggest triumphs in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
2022 Jack Jones Hoopfest (Michelob Ultra Arena)
ASU 73, Creighton 71 – Dec. 12
Facing adversity and resisting several significant momentum shifts in the second half, Arizona State overcame a 21-point swing and downed Creighton 73-71 in their last appearance at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Desmond Cambridge Jr. was lethal, dropping his game-high 19 points in only 18 minutes. With ASU taking body blows in the form of a 16-0 Creighton run early in the second half, he drilled two threes in less than 30 seconds to silence the Bluejays faithful. The Sun Devils clamped down defensively – forcing Creighton to miss seven of its final nine shots in the final five minutes – resulting in the massive win.
2018 MGM Resorts Main Event (T-Mobile Arena)
ASU 87, Utah State 82 – Nov. 21
Luguentz Dort earned MVP honors of the MGM Resorts Heavyweight Bracket with a 33-point outing to lift Arizona State to an 87-82 win over Utah State. Dort’s tally still is the third-best in program history for by a freshman, behind Mario Bennett (35 in 1992) and Jahii Carson (34 in 2013).
Arizona State moved to 5-0 on the season for only the third time in the past 33 seasons with the victory. This was part of an incredible stretch under Hurley in which the program won 19 straight non-conference games during the regular season.
ASU 72, #15 Mississippi State 67 – Nov. 20
For the second consecutive season, the Sun Devils captured a statement November victory in Las Vegas, NV with the 72-67 win over No. 15 Mississippi State. The Sun Devils broke the Bulldogs full-court press in the final seconds, leading to a slam by Kimani Lawrence that capped off ASU’s 4-0 start.
Lawrence drilled a game-winning three from the corner, giving Arizona State a three-point advantage with just 29 seconds to play. Lawrence tallied a career-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting Monday and snagged five rebounds. With Sun Devil Men’s Golf legend Phil Mickelson in attedance, the Maroon & Gold advance to the championship game of the event.
2017 Continental Tire Invitational (Orleans Arena)
ASU 102, #15 Xavier 86 – Nov. 24
Arizona State, elevated by a career-high 40-point performance from Invitational MVP Tra Holder, defeated No. 15 Xavier 102-86 to capture the Continental Tire Invitational Championship. The victory was the program’s first win over an opponent ranked in the Top-15 since knocking off then No. 6 Arizona, 81-78, on Feb. 7, 2015. It also marked Arizona State’s largest margin of victory (16) over a ranked opponent in the Bobby Hurley era. ASU improved to 6-0, eclipsing the 90+ point-mark in all six games. Collectively Arizona State capped the outing shooting at impressive clips of 56 percent (33-of-59) from the field, 48 percent (13-27) from beyond the arc and 92 percent from the charity stripe (23-of-25).
ASU 92, Kansas State 90 – Nov. 23
Kodi Justice scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half to lead Arizona State to a 92-90 victory over Kansas State on Thanksgiving in the Continental Tire Invitational. ASU reached 90 points for the fifth straight game for the first time since February of 1960, moving to 5-0 for only the second time in 32 years. Justice hit from all over in making 9-of-10 field goal and 6-of-8 free throws. He was perfect in four three-pointers and added three assists and just one turnover in 37 minutes.
NEUTRALIZING THE OPPONENT
Arizona State has had some big wins at neutral sites under Coach Hurley in the non-conference, including victories over VCU (Brooklyn), Michigan (Brooklyn), and Creighton (Las Vegas) last year. He has a total of 12 neutral site victories out of conference during his tenure.
NEUTRAL SITE NON-CONFERENCE WINS SINCE 2015
ASU 73, Creighton 71 – 12/12/22 at Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas (Jack Jones Shootout)
ASU 87, #20 Michigan 65 – 11/17/22 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn (Legends Classic)
ASU 63, VCU 59 – 11/16/22 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn (Legends Classic)
#18 ASU 94, Rhode Island 88 – 11/25/20 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut (2K Empire Classic)
ASU 80, St. John’s 67 – 11/23/19 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut (Air Force Reserve Tip-Off)
ASU 87, Utah St. 82 – 11/21/18 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (MGM Resorts Main Event)
ASU 72, #15 Mississippi St. 67 – 11/20/18 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (MGM Resorts Main Event)
ASU 82, St. John’s 70 – 12/8/17 at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles
ASU 102, #15 Xavier 86 – 11/24/17 at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas (Continental Tire Invitational)
ASU 92, Kansas State 90 – 11/23/17 at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas (Continental Tire Invitational)
ASU 80, Tulane 71 – 11/18/16 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando (Tire Pros Invitational)
ASU 79, NC State 76 – 11/23/15 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn (BE Classic)
COMFORTABLE WHEN IT’S CLOSE
After going 11-5 in games decided by six points or less (two possessions) last year, the Sun Devils earned their first “close” victory this season over UMass Lowell. Arizona State is now 36-18 (.666) in close games over the past five seasons.
DON’T COUNT US OUT
Arizona State completed an incredible comeback to defeat UMass Lowell, handing the Riverhawks (4-1) their only loss of the season so far. The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and ended up facing an 11-point deficit with 2:16 remaining in the game. ASU finished the game on a 17-4 run, sparked by their defense. During that span, Frankie Collins and Alonzo Gaffney combined for five steals, with the pressure defense of the Maroon & Gold proving to be too much to handle for UMass Lowell. Collins made a layup with 1.4 left on the clock to win the game for the Sun Devils.
LOOK AT US
ASU held its opponents to just 39.9% shooting from the field last season, the third-best mark in the league and 15th in the nation. It was also tied for the second-best mark in school history, one year after posting what is now the fourth-best. Through three games in 2023-24 the field goal percentage defense is even better. Opponents are shooting just 39.5% against the Sun Devils.
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.
LAST TIME OUT
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball engineered an incredible comeback in the final minutes, defeating UMass Lowell 71-69 in a Thursday night thriller at Desert Financial Arena. Frankie Collins scored seven of his 11 points in the final 2:05 of the game, including two layups in the final minute to tie the game and eventually score the game-winner to lead Arizona State (2-1) to victory. In the final 2:16 of regulation the Sun Devils erased an 11-point deficit, making their final seven field goals, including two threes from behind the arc by Collins and Jamiya Neal to spark the 13-2 run to close the game. The Sun Devils were paced by Jose Perez, who sunk his first six shots from the floor and finished with 20 points. He paced five players in double figures, with Jamiya Neal (12), Frankie Collins (11), Alonzo Gaffney (10) and Kamari Lands (10) also reaching the mark.
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
With several marquee non-conference matchups away from home, Arizona State will once again be challenged early in the year. The Sun Devils will play 11 games before the holidays, including six games away from home. Beginning with a late December trip to the Bay Area, the Maroon & Gold will play 20-straight conference games, with the Pac-12 eliminating the two standalone league games in the middle of the non-conference portion of the schedule. All 31 of Arizona State’s games will be televised, with Coach Hurley’s squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, Pac-12 Network and several major network affiliates in addition to online streaming platforms.
THREE-POINT NOTE
The Sun Devils have made at least one three-point field goal in 708 consecutive games dating back to 2/10/2001.
ASU RECORD BY STARTING LINEUP
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, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Shawn Philliips Jr. (0-1)
GAMES PLAYED (2023-24 | Career)
Kamari Lands – 3 | 35
Frankie Collins – 3 | 69
Braelon Green – 1 | 1
Brycen Long – 1 | 85
Jamiya Neal – 3 | 64
Malachi Davis – 2 | 2
Alonzo Gaffney – 3 | 87
Shawn Phillips Jr. – 3 | 23
Bobby Hurley – 1 | 13
Jose Perez – 3 | 100
Zane Meeks – 3 | 108
Akil Watson – 1 | 1
Bryant Selebangue – 3 | 33
Adam Miller – 0 | 64
Sun Devils have a combined 685 games of experience at the Division I Level (Includes previous school)
ABOUT THE ARENA
The Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is the location of the 2023 Vegas Showcase. The multi-purpose arena is home to World Championship Boxing, premier concerts and special events. With seating for as many as 12,000, the arena, which was recently renovated in 2018, offers excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The entertainment venue is home to the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, the city’s first professional basketball team, and has hosted prominent events and concerts.
Tickets for Sun Devil Men’s Basketball 2023-24 non-conference games are on sale now. The non-conference schedule features five home games including Thursday’s contest with 3-0 UMass Lowell, plus key matchups versus San Francisco and SMU. Conference games will become available on Friday, Nov. 24. Visit the following link for more information. Ticket packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Season Tickets and Mini Plans are now available.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Arizona State will feature 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
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.
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
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