Sun Devil learn valuable lessons in loss to rival No. 6 Arizona

(Photo: Sam Fenway/WCSN)

The allure of sports is infinitely deeper than it may initially seem. They often can act as a microcosm for life at large. It’s not always about the box score, the records, the statistics, etc. It’s the lessons and values the players, coaches, and fans, take from the spectacles they participate in, that are lasting.

Rivalries like Wednesday night’s matchup between Arizona State Mens Basketball (14-15, 8-10 Pac-12) and No. 6 Arizona (21-6, 12-4 PAC-12) invoke deep emotional ties to the event that can produce the greatest teachings. On its surface, yes the game ended disappointingly for the Sun Devils as they dropped below .500 with an 85-67 loss to their greatest adversaries. However, it was the principles of the night that stuck with those involved.

Down 30-12 midway through the first half and trailing by 14 at halftime, to a top-ten team in the country, the Sun Devils had every opportunity to quit. They didn’t. They stood on their principles, fighting back, cutting the lead to as little as five with 11 minutes remaining in the game.

“Resilience,” ASU junior guard Adam Miller said. “There’s been a lot of times this year we just folded. We didn’t necessarily do that as often tonight.”

It wasn’t the loss in general but how his team fought back that stood out to Miller. The effort represented his core values.

“You’re not going to win everything,” Miller said. “Me personally it’s the way you lose. It’s the way you go about life and take your (losses). The effort was there for the most part so can’t beat yourself up too much.”

Bobby Hurley was more reflective and in admiration of his players’ character, specifically the seniors, who were celebrated before tipoff. Recognition of his graduating class, and who they were as people, as shown on and off the court, weighed heavy on the ninth-year ASU head coach.

“There was a lot of subplots today,” Hurley said. “The emotion of the day for me personally was not the easiest thing to navigate. With regards to, you know, the seniors particularly.”

ASU Graduates, wingman Jose Perez, and forward Alonzo Gaffney along with junior guard and head coach’s son Bobby Hurley – who’s graduating early – played their last-ever games in Tempe.

All three received acknowledgments of their disposition from Hurley: “[Perez], is a warrior. He gave us everything he’s got every time he steps out on the floor. Just plays as hard as he can…Gaffney has been good to me. Nice kid, great kid. Wouldn’t trade him for anybody. He’s the type of kid I want in the program. He’s got a great heart… Obviously, Bobby goes without saying what he means to me. He’s a far better human being than I am. That’s all that I could hope for.”

While the sentiments were powerful it should not be mistaken that losing to the rival wildcats stung all the same.

“What this game means to our fan base, It’s the ultimate level of disappointment,” Hurley said.

“There’s really no moral victories,” Miller said.

The loss could have come with a deflating feeling that comes with being precariously close to making a run towards an upset. However, like Miller, it was the context of the loss that Hurley focused on. Yes, it was a letdown but sometimes it’s how a team loses and how they represent themselves and the virtues they display that renders more important.

“I know we’re all disappointed. We just lost to Arizona. No one more than me” Hurley said. “But we might need a dose of reality and just realize that Arizona is really good. Our players have competed through a lot of adversity this year and they haven’t quit. So I’m happy with my team.”