Arizona State Turns to Zone, Grit to Steal Road Win: “We Did What We Had to Do”
Winning on the road in conference play is never easy - and Bobby Hurley knows that better than most. After years of battling in the Pac-12, the Arizona State head coach understands just how tough it is to walk into an opponent’s gym and walk out with a win. So when his Sun Devils gutted out a gritty road victory with only seven players available, he didn’t hold back his appreciation.
“I have a lot of experience being in this building and so I know how hard it is to win here,” Hurley said postgame. “I’m very happy we got the job done.”
A Fast Start Built on Defense
Arizona State came out of the gates with energy and execution on both ends of the floor - exactly the kind of start you need when you’re shorthanded and on the road. The Sun Devils jumped ahead early, setting the tone with a defensive scheme that caught their opponent off guard: a zone defense that, up until this point in the season, had been virtually non-existent in their playbook.
“We had played only two possessions of zone all season, and teams had scored on us both times,” Hurley admitted. “But the guys executed it well, even without a lot of practice. It came down to their communication.”
The surprise switch to zone wasn’t just about tactics - it was about survival. With only seven players suited up, Hurley needed a way to conserve energy and keep his team fresh for the full 40 minutes. The zone did exactly that, slowing down the opposing guards and forcing them into uncomfortable spots on the floor.
“We know how good (Terrence) Brown is when he gets downhill, and (Don) McHenry getting into the paint,” Hurley said. “The zone brought just a touch of hesitancy for those guys to attack.”
Neutralizing a Star
The defensive game plan centered on limiting Brown’s impact - and it worked. Arizona State’s zone funneled drives toward the rim, where forward Mouhamed Diop was waiting to challenge shots and protect the paint.
“They weren’t in a great rhythm,” Hurley said. “The guys did a good job of funneling Brown to Diop in front of the basket.”
And the best part? The element of surprise. Hurley knew that with no zone possessions on tape, the opposition likely hadn’t prepared for it at all.
“If I was preparing for a team that hadn’t played a single possession of zone all year, I wouldn’t work on zone offense either,” he said.
Moe Odum: Spark Plug and Vocal Leader
Senior guard Moe Odum brought the kind of energy and leadership you need in a game like this. From the opening tip, he was locked in defensively - and made sure his teammates were, too.
“We knew we only had seven guys, so if we could turn our defense into offense, we wouldn’t have to move around as much on offense,” Odum said. “We really talked about defense a lot before the game.
Guarding your man and leaving no man behind. That was the message.”
Odum also gave credit to his backcourt partner, Pig Johnson, who stepped up when the team needed him most.
“I always tell Pig before we go out on the court, I can’t wait to watch him play,” Odum said. “Last game, he didn’t take enough shots.
I told him this week, ‘Act like you want to score.’ And that’s exactly what he did.”
As for his own role? Odum kept it simple: “I just try to do whatever they need me to do and get points however they tell me to get them.”
Staying Together Down the Stretch
It wasn’t a perfect second half. Arizona State missed some open threes and left a few points at the rim.
But when it mattered most, they hit their free throws and got the stops they needed. More importantly, they stayed connected.
“We did a great job of staying together,” Odum said. “We didn’t argue. We just told each other to calm down and keep going.”
That kind of chemistry, especially with a short rotation, is what separates wins from losses in February. And on this night, it was enough to get the job done.
What’s Next
The Sun Devils continue their Rocky Mountain road swing with a trip to Boulder, where they’ll take on Colorado on Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 PM MST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN 620 AM (KTAR).
With momentum on their side and a growing confidence in their adaptability, Arizona State heads into the weekend with a little more belief - and a lot more grit.