Arizona State didn’t need long to figure out what Paulius Murauskas can be.
Three games into his Tempe run, the Sun Devils’ new standout has already stacked up three straight 20-point outings, and the latest was the kind that leaves a mark: 22 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in an 85-63 win that gave ASU its third victory of the season. He also poured in a career-high 33 points against UNCO, and after that stretch, the early picture is getting clearer by the night.
Murauskas isn’t just filling it up. He’s doing the dirty work, too.
He has grabbed nine or more rebounds in two games, picked off multiple steals in two of the three, and chipped in assists along the way. That blend is exactly why he fits what Randy Bennett wants from his players.
“Paulius is Paulius. He’s got a lot.
He’s really improved as a leader, and he’s gotten tougher. He’s pretty tough, and he draws fouls every night,” ASU HC Randy Bennett said.
“He’s strong, so that’s one of those deals. He’s gonna put whoever’s guarding him in foul trouble, usually.
So, I give Paulius a lot of freedom. He’s trying to win, and that’s number one.”
The free-throw line has been a major part of the story. Murauskas has taken seven or more free throws in each of his first three games, including a 10-13 night against Hofstra, and he has cashed in at an 81% clip, going 26-for-32.
“He’s an interesting player because he draws fouls. You can lose a good player probably to foul trouble at some point in that game,” Bennett said.
“He’s good at it. He’s big.
He’s strong. Big part of what we do is playing off him, and you just gotta you gotta make some tough decisions on the other bench as far as what you can do, how you can guard him.”
The recognition has already started to pile up. Murauskas came into the season with the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award and a Karl Malone Award Watch List selection, then added a Big 12 Starting Five of the Week honor after his first two games in Tempe.
He was already on the NBA Draft radar at Saint Mary’s, and ESPN has him in its Top 100 Prospects for the 2027 NBA Draft. For Arizona State, the bigger question is what this all becomes if the production keeps rolling.
“There’s no question who the leader is. He’s the leader,” Bennett said.
“Paulius has done so well with that. Paulius takes pretty good shots, and he cares.
He’s got to score and rebound for us to win, so him taking shots and being aggressive, we need it.”
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Arizona State Just Made The Kind Of Early Statement Fans Needed
Arizona State got the kind of road win that can steady a fan base early in the season, knocking off Mountain West preseason favorite UNLV 65-58 in Las Vegas. The Sun Devils leaned on a balanced effort to do it, with Morson scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Ruby Whitehorn added a double-double that included 10 rebounds.
Heloisa Carrera and McKinna Brackens also chipped in with a combined 19 points, giving Arizona State enough support to survive a tough environment and stay unbeaten at 3-0. The next test comes back home against Penn State, where the Sun Devils will try to turn this early statement into something even more convincing. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona States Early Turnaround Starts With Two Veterans Fans Need To Notice
Before Arizona State had even played a game under Randy Bennett, the new coach had already sent a message about who would help set the tone. Senior forward Paulius Murauskas was voted team captain, and he backed up that trust with a career-high 33 points against Northern Colorado, a reminder that the Sun Devils early progress is being driven by players who arrived with experience and expectations. With Bennett leaning on transfers in the starting lineup, the roster is beginning to look more stable than it did at the start of the transition.
Bryce Ford has been part of that same foundation. The senior guard stayed with the program after the coaching change and has given Arizona State important production as Bennett works to build depth and reshape the rotation. For a team trying to move quickly from uncertainty to identity, the value of veterans like Murauskas and Ford goes beyond box scores, even if there is still plenty to sort out as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Heads Into Arizona State With A Backfield Problem To Solve
UCF is heading into its matchup with Arizona State with its backfield depth already under pressure. Running back Duke Watson will miss the game because of injury, and the Knights are also dealing with a long list of unavailable players that includes Tyler Gibson, DJ Bell, Kahmel Johnson, Demari Henderson and Dylan Burk, leaving the roster thinner than usual as they prepare for a tough road test.
Waden Charles is listed as doubtful with an undisclosed injury, while several others remain on the questionable or probable side of the availability report. For Arizona State, that kind of uncertainty can matter just as much as a single absence, because it can change how UCF handles its rotations, its pace and its options if the game turns into a grind. [Read more 🡒]