BERKELEY, Calif. - Sun Devil Men's Basketball continues the Bay Area road trip with a visit to Haas Pavilion as they take on California on Sunday.
Arizona State (7-5, 1-0) and the Golden Bears will meet for a 6 PM MST contest on New Years Eve. This is the first of two matchups between the two teams this season, with the Bay Area schools returning the trip in February. ASU has enjoyed success against the Golden Bears - sweeping Cal 13 times - most recently in 2020-21. The teams only met once in the 2022-23, 2019-20, 2012-13, 2011-12 and 1997-98 seasons. ASU has won 14 of the past 19 contests and nine of the past ten against Cal under Bobby Hurley, who is 10-5 vs. the Golden Bears over the last 15 meetings. ASU is 5-1 at California in the past six games and has averaged 76.2 points in the five wins.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The broadcast of Sun Devil Men's Basketball's game on Sunday will air on Pac-12 Network as they face off with California, scheduled for a 6 PM MST tip-off with Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play) and Ben Braun (analyst) on the call. Make sure to listen to Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on ESPN 620 AM (KTAR). The action can also be tracked via live stats available here.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
- ASU can start 2-0 in Pac-12 road games for the second straight season. ASU won at Colorado 60-59 on Dec. 1, 2022 and then took down Oregon 90-73 on Jan. 12. Prior to 2022-23, the last 2-0 start in conference play on the road was 1992.
- The only time ASU started 2-0 in Pac-12 play overall AND both games were on the road was 1987-88. ASU won at Washington State 66-65 in overtime on Dec. 20, 1987, and then won at Washington 87-78 on Dec. 22. If the Sun Devils defeat Cal, they will have their first 2-0 conference start with both games taking place on the road in 36 years.
PAC YOUR BAGS
Arizona State looks to duplicate the success they enjoyed on the road in Pac-12 play last season during their first league road trip of the year. In 2022-23, the Sun Devils went 6-4 on the road in Pac-12 play, the best mark since the 1980-81 team went 8-1. The 5-4 Pac-12 road mark in 2018-19 was its best since the 2009-10 and 2008-09. Two of the best four Pac-12 road mark in the previous 39 seasons have come under Bobby Hurley. Thanks to their win over Stanford, ASU is off to a 1-0 start in league play on the road. ASU has now opened the Pac-12 season on the road 11 times in its final 16 seasons.
BACK TO THE BAY
The Sun Devils swept two road Pac-12 series in 2022-23. In January, they took down both Oregon schools. They did the same during the Bay Area trip in February, as ASU defeated Stanford then Cal for their first sweep of the Bay Area schools since 2019-20. It is just the third time since joining the conference and the first since the 1980-81 season that Arizona State swept two road series in the same season.
COMEBACK AGAINST THE CARDINAL
Coach Hurley's team picked up their third-straight victory over Stanford in comeback fashion, erasing a 12-point second half deficit and emerging with a 76-73 road win. In their final visit to Maples as a member of the Pac-12, Arizona State earned their second consecutive win in the building. ASU held Stanford scoreless over the final 1:54 and ended the game on a 17-4 run. The Sun Devils made seven of their last eight field goal attempts, including clutch shots courtesy of Frankie Collins and Alonzo Gaffney.
PAC-12 OPENERS
The Sun Devils have managed to win their past two Pac-12 Conference openers in dramatic fashion, with both victories coming away from home. Last season, ASU made up a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Colorado 60-59. On Friday, the Maroon & Gold trailed Stanford by nine at the half and by as many as 12 in the second half, but prevailed in a 76-73 thriller. Arizona State is looking to go 2-0 to start Pac-12 play for only the sixth time in program history (1979-80 (5-0), 1987-88 (4-0), 2007-08 (4-0), 2012-13 (2-0) and 2022-23 (2-0). It is the first time the program has won back-to-back Pac-12 openers since 2008-09.
FRANKIE DOES IT ALL
Guard Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the top all-around players in the Pac-12 Conference. He is currently one of only two players in the nation averaging at least 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 steals. The only other player to boast those averages is Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey. Collins is stuffing the stat sheet in a historic manner while playing only 31 minutes per game.
COMFORTABLE WHEN IT'S CLOSE
After going 12-5 in games decided by six points or less (two possessions) last year, the Sun Devils are 3-1 in such games so far this season. Arizona State is now 38-19 (.667) in close games over the past five seasons. The 38 wins are the most in the nation during that span (2nd is Wisconsin with 37)
DON'T COUNT US OUT
Arizona State has come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 42 times during the Bobby Hurley era, including against Stanford last time out. They trailed by nine points against the Cardinal before pulling off a 76-73 victory. Since 2015-16, the Sun Devils are Top-15 in the nation and lead the Pac-12 with their 42 halftime comeback victories.
2023-24 (3)
(-9) Stanford 37, ASU 28/Dec. 29, 2023/ASU 76, Stanford 73
(-3) SMU 40, ASU 36/Dec. 6, 2023/ASU 76, SMU 74
(-9) UMass Lowell 31, ASU 22/Nov. 16, 2023/ASU 71, UMass Lowell 69
ASU RECORD BY STARTING LINEUP
Due injuries to Shawn Phillips Jr. and Zane Meeks early in the season, the Sun Devils have been shorthanded most of the year. With Adam Miller gaining eligibility, fluctuation continues with Arizona State's roster. This has resulted in Coach Hurley using six different starting lineup combinations through their first 12 games. Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal are the only two Sun Devils to have started every game. ASU has at least one win with four different lineup combinations.
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Bryant Selebangue, Alonzo Gaffney (4-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney, Shawn Phillips Jr. (1-0)
Frankie Collins, Adam Miller, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney (1-2)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Alonzo Gaffney (0-1)
Frankie Collins, Jose Perez, Jamiya Neal, Kamari Lands, Shawn Philliips Jr. (0-1)
PEREZ WILL MAKE YOU PAY
Graduate transfer Jose Perez has been a huge addition to the Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. He is one of the best players in the country at getting to the free-throw line. He set a new career-high against SMU earlier in the month, attempting 15 free throws in the victory. Perez has now attempted 641 free throws in his career, the fifth-highest total among active NCAA Division I players. His 474 made free-throws puts him eighth among active NCAA Division I players. Perez is a career 74% shooter from the charity stripe.
Perez is one of only 17 active players at the NCAA Division I level that has reached 1,500 career points (1,600) and 375 career assists (375). Perez has the second-fewest total games played (109) of any player on the list (James Bishop IV, George Washington - 107). In the win over Stanford, he secured his 500th career rebound, making him one of only 30 active players at the Division I level with 1,600 career points and 500 career rebounds (500). To take it a step further, Perez is one of only SEVEN players at the NCAA Division I level with 1,600 points, 375 assists, AND 500 rebounds (500) in their career (Tristen Newton - UConn, RayJ Dennis - Baylor, Andrew Taylor - Mississippi State, Marcus Domask - Illinois, Baylor Scheierman - Creighton, Jahmir Yong - Maryland).
GAMES PLAYED (2023-24 | Career)
Kamari Lands - 12 | 44
Frankie Collins - 12 | 78
Braelon Green - 10 | 10
Brycen Long - 6 | 90
Jamiya Neal - 12 | 73
Malachi Davis - 7 | 7
Alonzo Gaffney - 12 | 96
Shawn Phillips Jr. - 4 | 24
Bobby Hurley - 4 | 16
Jose Perez - 12 | 109
Zane Meeks - 5 | 110
Akil Watson - 10 | 10
Bryant Selebangue - 12 | 42
Adam Miller - 3 | 67
Sun Devils have a combined 776 games of experience at the Division I Level (includes previous school).
60-POINT MARK
Arizona State has only one loss when they score 60+ points (88-83 loss to San Diego). They are 7-1 in such games this season. ASU is averaging 74.0 points in their seven wins and 58.8 points in their five losses. By contrast, the Sun Devils are holding opponents to 65.3 points in their seven wins and allowing 76.2 points in their five losses.
THREE-POINT NOTE
The Sun Devils have made at least one three-point field goal in 717 consecutive games dating back to 2/10/2001.
I'LL TAKE THAT
Through 12 games of the 2023-24 season, Frankie Collins has emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation. He has been causing opposing guards issues with his ball pressure and aggressiveness. Collins now has 35 steals, putting him 8th in the country in the category. He is currently fifth in the nation in steals per game, averaging 2.92 per contest. He matched a program-record with eight steals in the victory over UMass Lowell earlier in the year.
CONSTANT COMPETITION
Coach Hurley has challenged his team with an extremely difficult non-conference slate. Sun Devil Men's Basketball will be ready for Pac-12 play after facing one of the toughest schedules in the country so far this season. Here is a closer look at who ASU has played this season.
- Mississippi State - 10-2 record; NET of 33
- vs. Texas Southern - No. 8 non-conference SOS
- vs. UMass Lowell - 8-4 record
- BYU - 11-1 record; No. 14 ranking in latest AP Poll
- vs. San Francisco - 10-4 record; NET of 46
- vs. SMU - 9-4 record; NET of 58
- at San Diego - 9-5 record; 8-1 at home
- TCU - 10-2 record; NET of 47
- Northwestern - 9-2 record; Only team to beat No. 1 Purdue
- at Stanford - 5-2 at home
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Arizona State features a total of 11 new players on their roster, joining returners Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Alonzo Gaffney, Bobby Hurley, and Jordan Williams to make up the 2023-24 Sun Devil Men's Basketball roster. The following is a roundup of the ASU newcomer class.
2023 INCOMING TRANSFERS
G Kamari Lands - Louisville
G Brycen Long - Houston Christian
C Shawn Phillips Jr. - LSU
G Jose Perez - West Virginia
F Zane Meeks - San Francisco
F Bryant Selebangue - Tulsa
G Adam Miller - LSU
JUCO ADDITION
G Malachi Davis - Tallahassee CC
FRESHMAN CLASS
G Braelon Green - Southfield, MI
F Akil Watson - Middletown, NY
BY CLASS
Graduate Student (2): Zane Meeks (San Francisco), Jose Perez (West Virginia)
Redshirt Senior (1) Alonzo Gaffney
Senior (1): Brycen Long
Redshirt Junior (1): Adam Miller
Junior (6): Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal, Malachi Davis, Bobby Hurley, Bryant Selebangue, Jordan Williams
Sophomore (3): Kamari Lands, Shawn Phillips Jr., Zack Markus
Freshman (3): Braelon Green, Andrew Mayock, Akil Watson
BY STATE (10 States Represented)
Ohio (3) – Jamiya Neal (Toledo), Alonzo Gaffney (Cleveland), Shawn Phillips Jr. (Dayton)
New York (3) – Jose Perez (Bronx), Zack Markus (New York City), Akil Watson (Middletown)
California (2) – Frankie Collins (Sacramento), Jordan Williams (Los Angeles)
Canada (2) – Malachi Davis (Toronto), Bryant Selebangue (Montreal)
Arizona (2) – Brycen Long (Gilbert), Bobby Hurley (Scottsdale)
Indiana (1) – Kamari Lands (Indianapolis)
Michigan (1) – Braelon Green (Southfield)
Connecticut (1) – Andrew Mayock (New Canaan)
Kansas (1) – Zane Meeks (Prairie Village)
Illinois (1) – Adam Miller (Peoria)
SOLIDIFYING HIS STAFF
Head Coach Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program officially announced the final additions to the 2023-24 staff in October. Arizona State welcomes Yusuf Ali and Jarryn Skeete to the Sun Devil Family, with Nick Irvin and Mickey Mitchell receiving promotions. The news comes after Greg Lansing (Special Assistant to the Head Coach) and Hunter Eisenhower (Associate Head Coach - Sports Performance) joined the staff earlier in the offseason. ASU now boasts an experienced and diverse staff from top to bottom, featuring some of the nation's top rising talent in the coaching industry.
HERE TO STAY
The Arizona State Board of Regents announced in March of 2023 that Sun Devil Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Hurley has agreed to an extension that will keep him with the program through the 2026 season.
NCAAS UNDER COACH HURLEY
ASU has made the NCAA Tournament three times in the past five chances (2023, 2019, and 2018) and won two games. In the previous 32 seasons (1986-2017), ASU made two NCAA Tournaments and was 2-3.
PAC-12 PLAY
With several marquee non-conference matchups away from home, Arizona State was once again challenged early in the year. The Sun Devils finished up an extremely challenging 11-game stretch before the holidays, including six games away from home. The Maroon & Gold are now in the midst of the 20-game conference schedule. All 31 of Arizona State's games will be televised, with Coach Hurley's squad making appearances on ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports, Pac-12 Network and several major network affiliates in addition to online streaming platforms.
PHOENIX HOSTING THE 2024 MEN'S FINAL FOUR
The 2024 Men's Final Four will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., with the national semifinals on Saturday, April 6 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8, 2024. This is the second time the state of Arizona has hosted the Final Four, also doing so back in 2017. Arizona State will once again serve as the host institution as they did for the 2017 edition.
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).