ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 19 Power Rankings

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 07: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during a first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes won 97-85. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Arizona State Sun Devils (21-9, 12-6 Pac-12) LW: 2

You might not find a more emotional coach on the sidelines than Bobby Hurley. For four seasons, the former Duke star has continually provided reaction after reaction from the Sun Devils’ bench.

At times, the theatrics might seem unwarranted. He’s received his fair share of technical fouls, but then again, what coach hasn’t? As the regular season comes to a close, there might be a method to Hurley’s intensity.

With the fate of its season hanging in the balance of a three-game road trip, Arizona State was thrashed by 28 points against Oregon. The Sun Devils were written off prematurely.

Hurley’s team responded with intense victories over Oregon State and Arizona, on Senior Day for both programs, to lead ASU to consecutive 20-win seasons and put the team in position to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Against Arizona, sophomore guard Remy Martin silenced the crowd of 14,291 one mid-range jump shot at a time. After scoring 31 points and dishing eight assists in the opening act of the rivalry, Martin went for 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in his encore performance.

The win gave ASU its first road win over Arizona since 2010 and its first sweep since the 2008-09 season.

Riding a wave of momentum, the Sun Devils head to Las Vegas as the No. 2 seed after finishing 12-6 in league play. They’ll have a first-round bye before taking on the winner of No. 7 seed UCLA and No. 10 seed Stanford.

A win should secure ASU a spot in the Field of 68.

– Pekale

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