Bobby Hurley has successfully done what no other Arizona State basketball coach has ever been able to do, and that is get to the NCAA March Madness Tournament in three separate seasons. Anyone who says it is only the play-in game, doesn’t understand the significance of this. You’re still only one of 68 teams to make the field which equates to only 19.2% of all D1 basketball programs.
Hype at Coach Hurley’s House 🥳 pic.twitter.com/q00cCLkXd8
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) March 12, 2023
Look, we can talk about the offense. I, myself, am also tired of watching a 3-man weave until about the 16-second mark in the play clock and then we end up jacking up a bad shot. I am also tired of the lack of set plays, and the LONG leash Bobby gives his players. I’ve said many times, I wish he could have a long leash with his players, but have them play within themselves a bit more.
Hurley has had some undeniable success
The fact is, Hurley has done what each of his predecessors could not do. So let’s start off the court.
His recruiting speaks for itself. I don’t think anybody could criticize the amount of talent he has been able to pull in. He has consistently pulled in four and five-star recruits and high-caliber transfers. Right now, ASU has two four-star prospects in combo guard Braelon Green & 6’9″ forward Akil Watson, signed and ready to go for next year. Plus, with the departure of the Cambridge brothers, one would think Bobby will be hitting the Transfer Portal hard once again.
All of that is even more impressive when you consider the state of the Desert Financial arena. Not a single dollar has gone into supporting that building nor even a mention of renovation recently. This is surprising, considering both basketball programs have been more successful than the football and baseball teams in the last decade. On top of that, the current administration seems to not give a damn about athletics as a whole. You know this because of Michael Crow’s inexplicable support of Larry Scott.
So, Bobby has been able to get to the Dance three separate times (should have been four in 2020), out recruit everyone’s expectations, and do all of this without real Power 5 money or even a halfway decent basketball arena. On the court, Bobby has proven he will change his coaching philosophies year after year.
Guard U was fun and we led the country in almost all offensive categories, but there was no defense, no depth and very little rebounding outside of Romelo White. The next year, ASU adds Zylan Cheatham & Lu Dort, and all of the sudden we have depth, defense, and one of the top rebounding teams in the nation, but they couldn’t shoot. The following year we add Alonzo Verge, Jaelen House and Co. and this team was HOT before Covid hit and were bound for a third straight trip to the big dance. In 2021, Bobby boasted a lineup of top five-star prospects Josh Christopher & Marcus Bagley, but this team just didn’t sync. After that year, Bobby was pissed and said he needed to reevaluate the type of player he recruits.
Enter Marreon Jackson, DJ Horne & others.
Now, last year’s team was not great, but Bobby had to start all over again, remember we lost out on another high-caliber recruit in Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers) due to him wanting to stay closer to home during Covid.
In my opinion, I don’t remember seeing a better team in terms of hustling. They played hard and he really had them going towards the end of the year, but they just weren’t talented enough. Then, the Cambridge brothers, Frankie Collins & Warren Washington become Sun Devils along with recruits Austin Nunez & Duke Brennan for this season. Bagley was initially on the squad, but it definitely seemed like Bobby had enough of the selfish players like Bagley, and Christopher and Remy Martin (who didn’t give a damn in 2021).
The result? Another Tournament team after a full roster rebuild.
Bobby has accomplished all of this including being the #3 team in the country during Guard U, beating the #1 team two years in a row (with completely different rosters) and going to the dance three times. During his tenure, Bobby Hurley has had the best offensive team in the country, the best rebounding team, and a top defensive team. All Bobby has to do is find a way to bring all of that together, and you’re looking at a Sweet 16 team in the future…easily.
Sure, it’s hard to see the positives sometimes. I admit, when ASU gets in their own way with turnovers and no offense I find myself wanting another coach at times. But when you look back at the accomplishments (recruiting, big wins, and Tourney opportunities), its hard to deny the success.
But really, who else are you going to bring in? Kyle Dodd has said time and time again, this guy loves being a Sun Devil. Are we sure we can find another coach that loves ASU like Bobby does? I doubt it.
But for crying out loud ASU…UPDATE THE ARENA AND GIVE BOBBY A REAL CHANCE!!!
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How far do you think ASU can go in March Madness? Let us know on Twitter by tagging us @AZSports_UNDGND
