Bobby Hurley questions his impact after Arizona State’s home loss to West Virginia

After the Arizona State lost to West Virginia 75 to 63 on January 21, 2026, the head coach, Bobby Hurley, made some of the most critical statements of his time. In post-game comments, Hurley himself challenged his performance, saying that his message was no longer getting through to the club. He said that he felt he was not able to reach his players and was worried about how willing they would be to listen and follow instructions.

Frustration Boils Over

Hurley did not avoid taking blame as he proudly said that he was a coach who felt that he was failing. He cited a lack of discipline and attentiveness, which indicated that a lack of communication has evolved into a common problem. He had an exasperated and depressed tone, especially because the team had yet to win in its home arena.

Game Context and Turning Points.

The remarks followed another typical loss to the Sun Devils. Arizona State had developed a 13-point advantage during the first half and was then outscored 4026 in the second half. One of these points that Hurley emphasized was a critical late first-half sequence where players had been given directives to commit a foul, but instead, did not comply, and West Virginia hit a momentum-changing three-pointer. He also cited persistent derelictions of defense and insufficient industry.

Bigger Picture Concerns

The defeat was the seventh in the past eight games of Arizona State, which already had a rough period. Hurley also recognized the struggles at the houses over the years, as he stated that the program has not provided fans with constant reasons to inject energy into the arena.

After facing multiple failures, Hurley highlighted the importance of fighting harder, resisting, and being more accountable. The question as to whether the Sun Devils will be able to respond or not has yet to be determined, but his comments highlighted a program that is in search of answers at a decisive stage of the season.