Former Pac-12 rivals Arizona State and Oregon State are set to square off Sunday in Tempe, each looking to bounce back after midweek losses and close out their nonconference schedules on a high note.
Arizona State enters at 9-3, but that record comes with some battle scars. The Sun Devils are coming off a 13-point loss at UCLA, a game where they were outplayed but not necessarily outclassed. Head coach Bobby Hurley isn’t shying away from the tough schedule he’s put in front of his team.
“I easily could have bought six games this year, seven games, and played a few hard games,” Hurley said. “You’ve got to go play people.
You’ve got to get exposed a little bit. You’ve got to get punched in the mouth.”
That punch came at Pauley Pavilion, but Hurley believes the response is what matters most. And despite the loss, there was at least one silver lining: Arizona State went 25-of-26 from the free-throw line - a level of efficiency that can keep a team in any game, especially on the road.
Freshman guard Anthony Johnson was a bright spot, going a perfect 14-for-14 at the stripe and finishing with a team-high 20 points in just 22 minutes. It was a breakout performance that showcased his ability to stay poised under pressure - something the Sun Devils will need more of as Pac-12 play looms.
Meanwhile, Maurice Odum - Arizona State’s leading scorer at 16.2 points per game - has hit a rough patch. Over the last three games, he’s managed just 24 total points while shooting 30.8% from the field and a cold 12.5% from deep.
Against UCLA, Odum went 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. For the Sun Devils to reach their ceiling, they’ll need their go-to scorer to find his rhythm again.
Oregon State, sitting at 6-6, is also looking to recalibrate after an 85-75 home loss to Sam Houston. That defeat snapped a three-game win streak and brought back some of the frustrations from their earlier five-game skid. Head coach Wayne Tinkle didn’t hold back in his postgame assessment.
“I was very disappointed with our lack of effort,” Tinkle said. “It was going to be a rock fight.
We needed to be ready to protect home court and be ready for a fight. Too many of us weren’t ready for that, so shame on us.”
One player who was ready? Josiah Lake II.
The sophomore guard poured in 19 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting night, raising his team-leading scoring average to 13.1 points per game. He’s become a steady offensive presence for the Beavers, and his continued growth will be key as they try to find consistency heading into conference play.
These two programs last met on February 14, 2024, with Arizona State taking a 79-61 win at home. That game showcased the gap between the two squads at the time, but both teams have evolved since then - and both are still trying to figure out exactly who they are.
Sunday’s matchup isn’t just about getting back in the win column. It’s about building momentum, tightening rotations, and setting the tone for the grind of conference play. Expect a battle between two teams that have taken their lumps early - and are hungry to show they’ve learned from them.