Takeaways from ASU’s 78-70 loss to Colorado

(Courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

375 days and counting.

The over-year-long span represents the time since Arizona State men’s basketball last won back-to-back games in the opposing team’s arena. 

The Sun Devils knocked off West Virginia Jan. 21, 2025, before beating Colorado a week later.

Coincidentally, it was another trip to Boulder, Colorado, that offered head coach Bobby Hurley’s team its best chance to clinch two consecutive road victories for the first time in a year.

However, after a 71-63 win over Utah Wednesday night, the Sun Devils (12-12, 3-8 Big 12) lost 78-70 to Colorado (14-10, 4-7), as they remained in search for two straight away wins.

2-3 Zone Remains

In ASU’s win over Utah, Hurley shifted his defensive scheme to a 2-3 zone, something he has used sparingly this season.

In Salt Lake City, it sped Utah up, and the hosts struggled to break down the surprise of the zone.

While it succeeded only three days prior, Colorado was able to routinely find gaps in the Sun Devils’ coverage. Frequently, ASU found itself out of position and overcommitting on plays in the unfamiliar scheme.

Colorado used its ball handlers effectively to get into the paint and create shots for others, as they finished the night with 42 points in the paint.

Junior guard Barrington Hargress scored 23 on the night, while freshman guard Isaiah Johnson added 16, as both found their way around and through the Sun Devils’ zone.

This isn’t due to the pair’s imposing stature – both are listed at six-foot-one – but the sheer amount of space they were able to create.

Colorado’s success in the paint also dripped over to the rebounding category, as they outrebounded ASU 40-26.

However, Colorado’s success inside of the arc did not translate into consistent shooting from behind it. Colorado finished the night 6-of-22 from three, as they finished 1-of-9 in the second half.

Despite combining for 39 points, the duo of Johnson and Hargress only made one three-pointer each.

Second Half Rises Then Plummets

Right before halftime, senior guard Moe Odum was fouled hard on a screen by Colorado center Elijah Malone.

As the two teams returned to their respective locker rooms, the referees headed to the video monitor, as they upgraded the foul to a flagrant one. Odum split the two free throws to cut Colorado’s lead to 39-32.

From there, ASU went on a 10-2 run, as it was able to briefly take the lead.

However, the Sun Devils were only to lead for 1:48 in the second half, as Colorado would retake the lead at the 13:37 mark and hold on the rest of the game.

ASU’s offense stuttered as it relied heavily on Odum and freshman center Massamba Diop. They combined for 42 points on the night, but it wasn’t enough.

Odum went five minutes without scoring, which seems like a simple cold stretch, but he only took one shot in that span. 

Meanwhile, Colorado used Odum’s lack of impact to go on a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 64-56.

ASU tried to respond multiple times, going on their own runs, but didn’t have quite enough to tie the game.

What’s Next?

The Sun Devils might be in one of the most interesting positions in college basketball currently.

ASU has seven games left on the season, with three of those coming against teams currently in the top-15.

There is also three difficult away trips on the horizon, with games against Baylor, TCU and No. 7 Iowa State upcoming.

Hurley is also in the final year of his contract, with uncertainty circulating around his future in Tempe.

Combine all of these factors and the Sun Devils find themselves in quite the hole going into the final month of the season.

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