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Bobby Hurley aims to avoid historic home loss against No. 9 Texas Tech

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 12:59 PM ET

TEMPE – Arizona State men’s basketball could make history on Saturday, but not in a good way. Since Desert Financial Arena opened in 1974, ASU has never lost more than eight home games in a row. On Saturday, that could change. Head coach Bobby Hurley’s squad is tied with the record, and against a talented No. 9 Texas Tech, that mark could be broken. Nine straight home losses would be a perfect ending to a 2024-2025 Sun Devils team that was anything but that and could be the Hurley Era at ASU.

After starting the season at 10-3, ASU has gone 3-14 and is stranded as the 15th seed in its inaugural season in the Big 12. At 13-17, the Sun Devils are currently on pace for their lowest winning percentage in a season since 2011-2012 and the worst under Hurley. The 10-year ASU head coach has recorded a losing season in four of his last five seasons.

Regardless, Hurley is still one of the best coaches in the program’s history, being second in wins (168) and NCAA tournament appearances (3). There’s no question that Hurley has improved ASU since his arrival. However, nine straight home losses and consistent years of second-half season collapse set a precedent for Sun Devils’ Athletic Director Graham Rossini to take action.

Throughout the years, Hurley has picked up marquee wins against ranked opponents to build up hope for either March Madness or next season. Saturday is the latest opportunity to repeat that feat and build confidence in a team that needs some before heading into the Big 12 tournament. ASU is locked in as the 15th seed in the conference bracket, but Hurley’s squad needs a major confidence booster before then, with Texas Tech filling that role.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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