Arizona State basketball dropped its fifth consecutive game with a 74-70 home loss to TCU on Saturday night.
The first 2,000 fans that entered Desert Financial Arena were given James Harden bobbleheads. But on a night where the Sun Devils honored the System, they also showcased the problems that have turned them from NCAA tournament contenders into just hopefuls.
It was a close game down the stretch, as TCU led 70-67 with 14 seconds remaining. Before the hosts could even advance the ball for a final shot, senior forward Basheer Jihad was called for an inbound pass violation. The visitors closed the game with free throws from sophomore guard Vasean Allette.
Injuries, ejections and mistakes continue to mar the Maroon and Gold, who has now dropped six consecutive games at home for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
“My players didn’t even want me to talk to them after the game,” Arizona State basketball head coach Bobby Hurley said. “You know, what do you want me to say at this point is some of the comments I got from my own players. I think they’re fairly frustrated.”
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
Takeaway #1: Sun Devils can’t keep their cool
Arizona State basketball’s emotions have mounted as the season has progressed. In fact, one of its players has been ejected in three consecutive home games.
Not good for a senior-led team, let alone one trying to make the NCAA tournament.
In fact, a senior has been tossed in all three of those contest. Senior guard/forward BJ Freeman was sent away against Arizona, and redshirt senior guard Adam Miller received marching orders against TCU after being ejected in the previous home game against Kansas State.
Miller only had two points in the first half. He doubled his total just over three minutes into the second half with a two-handed slam that electrified the Sun Devil faithful. It was also an achievement for the LSU transfer, who rarely gets dunking opportunities standing at six feet and three inches.
A few moments later, Miller insulted a referee while on defense, resulting in a whistle. At first a technical foul, the call was quickly upgraded to an ejection. Thus, Arizona State basketball had to finish the game with a six-man rotation.
“I’m very reluctant to want to say anything negative about him, because I think he’s been a terrific guy for me to coach,” Hurley said about Miller. “We have to find a way to use a little better judgment and resist the temptation for losing our cool.”
“Coach said that the (referees) were gonna be nit picking on us and watching us the whole year,” Freeman said. “The refs aren’t playing with us. We gotta figure that out, and show our emotion to our teammate, not the other team.”
Takeaway #2: Horned Frogs wreak havoc on Quaintance-less defense
Arizona State basketball’s defensive concerns on Wednesday night was overshadowed by arguably its best offensive showing of the season.
But the Sun Devils’ guarding skills became apparent in the opening minutes. Not only were the Horned Frogs getting to the rack, they were drawing fouls. So much that they were either in the bonus or around the bonus with 10 minutes remaining in each half.
Additionally, the visitors won the rebound battle 39-27 and put up 36 points in the paint. They also had an adequate day from the free-throw line, going 23-for-31.
It has been tough slugging in the interior for the Maroon and Gold without their freshman forward Jayden Quaintance. The five-star recruit, showed his versatility across the court as the only player in the NCAA to average at least nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game. The 17-year-old is sidelined for an “extensive” period with an ankle injury that has bothered him since the matchup against then-No. 3 Iowa State.
“He’ll be doing more and more starting this week, and we will see how he progresses,” Hurley said on Quaintance. “We’ll huddle up with him, see how he feels, and make decisions on when he would make it back.”
In the meantime, Arizona State basketball must rely on junior center Shawn Phillips Jr. along with Jihad to provide production down low. Phillips, who was once named the “most gifted front guy I’ve ever had” by Hurley, scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. But did so in 23 minutes played, leaving his side vulnerable while on the bench.
Takeaway #3: Guard play guides TCU to victory
So, who were the Horned Frogs wreaking havoc on Arizona State basketball’s defense? They came from the back court with redshirt freshman Jace Posey and senior Noah Reynolds.
Posey had already shown off his talents earlier this week with a football-like pass to teammate, sophomore guard Vasean Allette, who hit a turnaround triple to beat Oklahoma State. On Saturday night, he should that he can be a scorer as well, with a career-high 20 points. This included going 8-for-10 on his free throws, which happened due to constant penetration to the rack.
Reynolds was not as forceful with his tries, but found a rhythm from mid to long range. He went 6-for-14 from the field, and 2-for-4 from three-point land, including a triple that turned into the decider after late Arizona State basketball miscues.
“They’re a difficult opponent because they are just gonna really grind you up,” Hurley said. “They’re gonna drag you through possessions. You know, it’s gonna be a rock fight. It wasn’t the type of fluid, up and down game (that we saw against Texas Tech).”
Another night in which scrappy guard play foils Arizona State basketball.
Up next for Arizona State basketball (12-13, 3-11): vs. No. 6 Houston (21-4, 13-1) – Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. EST
Up next for TCU basketball (14-11, 7-7): vs. No. 12 Texas Tech (20-5, 11-3) – Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. EST