Arizona State (11-7, 2-5) went into WVU Coliseum and did what No. 3 Iowa State could not, defeating the Mountaineers (14-4, 4-3) on their home court. For the 13th time in the Bobby Hurley era, the Sun Devils were victorious over a ranked team. This was only the third time they did so on the road, as this moment joins legendary triumphs at No. 2 Kansas in 2017 and No. 7 Arizona in 2023.
It was a complete team effort that allowed the Sun Devils to earn a critical Quad 1 victory that will greatly enhance their postseason resume. Four different players finished in double figures led by the front line of Basheer Jihad (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Jayden Quaintance (15 points, 12 rebounds). Quaintance added three blocks to bring his season total to 57, making him the new single-season program record holder for blocks by a freshman. BJ Freeman (14 points) and Adam Miller (10 points) each made key contributions to the 65-57 victory. Shawn Phillips Jr. (7 points, 6 rebounds) provided valuable minutes off the bench. Freshman guard Trevor Best made his Sun Devil debut and gave Alston Mason a well-deserved rest during a brief first half stint.
Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s team was not phased despite playing in one of college basketball’s best atmospheres and once again missing one of their top players (Joson Sanon). Arizona State jumped out to an early lead thanks to an outstanding start defensively. However, West Virginia found their groove, building an early 17-11 advantage in the first half. That was as large as the deficit would get, as the Maroon and Gold managed to limit the influence of the crowd by preventing any Mountaineer momentum from building. The Sun Devils grinded through a low possesion first half and found themselves in front 24-23 at the break.
The adjustments made by the coaching staff paid off in the second half for the second straight game. After scoring 38 points following the break last game against Cincinnati, ASU once again turned things around offensively tonight. They looked in sync on the way to scoring 41 points on 61.5% FG (16-of-26), as ASU built on their halftime lead. The Sun Devils extended their lead to as many as 13 points, stifling the Mountaineers offensive attack all game. It was clutch ball-handling and smart decision making down the stretch that allowed Arizona State to handle the West Virginia press and secure the massive road victory.
Road Tests
Arizona State has played in some of the toughest road environments in the nation, which prepared them for games like Tuesday. In their exhibition matchup with Duke, Head Coach Bobby Hurley and his squad experienced Cameron Indoor Stadium to start the year. Their third game of the season was at ‘The Kennel’, home of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Their first Big 12 Conference game was in front of 16,000+ at the Marriott Center against BYU. ASU then made their return to Allen Fieldhouse to take on Kansas. The three programs are a combined 156-17 (90.2%) over the past four years at home. This was the second of two straight road games, as the Maroon & Gold just played at Cincinnati on Saturday. Hurley had his team ready for the challenge, picking up a Quad 1 win in one of the toughest atmospheres in the country.
Getting Defensive
Arizona State held No. 23 West Virginia to just 30.8% (18-of-58) shooting from the field, the lowest by an opponent in a conference road game since it held Washington State in Pullman to 30.5% (18-of-59) on Feb. 13, 2022. The Mountaineers were held under 60 points for just the third time this season. The Sun Devils allowed only 23 points at halftime, the third-fewest points by an opponent during a half this season.
Shutting Down Small
West Virginia guard Javon Small was voted as Big 12 Player of the Week after his 27-point performance in the 64-57 win over then-No. 2 Iowa State on Saturday. He scored 27 points, including 12 in the last two minutes. He averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists this past week. Arizona State managed to limit his effectiveness tonight, forcing him into one of the least efficient performances of his career. He finished 2-of-11 (18.1%) from the field and 0-of-8 from three. Small did not make his first field goal until the 8:53 mark in the second half and converted his only other made shot with 53 seconds left in the game.
Boost on the Boards
The Sun Devils put together a great effort on the glass for the second straight game on this road trip. After finishing with a +9 advantage (42-33) against the Bearcats, including a season-high 16 offensive rebounds, Arizona State improved upon that effort on Tuesday. ASU boasted a 46-28 (+18) edge on the glass. They dominated their opponents on the backboard, winning the category by a combined 88-61 (+27) in the two games on the road trip.
One of One
Freshman forward Jayden Quaintance has proven to be one of the nation’s most unique and versatile athletes. He is currently the ONLY PLAYER IN THE NATION averaging at least 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks. He produces at that high of a level while playing 31.5 minutes per game. Quaintance is averaging exactly 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks with room to spare on each qualifier.
Buying Stocks
Quaintance added three more ‘stocks’ and has combined for 78 ‘stocks’ (57 blocks + 21 steals) so far this season. He was the only player in the nation to boast these numbers (50+ blocks and 20+ steals) coming into the game. The next closest Power 4 + Big East player is Creighton senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner with 61 stocks (49 blocks + 12 steals).
Block Party
Freshman Jayden Quaintance has recorded 57 blocks thus far in the 2024-2025 season and averages the second-most blocks per game (3.2) of any player in the nation. He added three more blocks in the win over No. 23 West Virginia, making him the new single-season record holder by a freshman in program history. He now has 57 blocks and has done it in only 18 games. He has two or more blocks in 16 of 18 games this year, including eight 4+ block performances.
If he were to maintain his current pace of blocks over a 31-game season, Quaintance would finish with the second-most blocks ever by a Big 12 freshman behind only Texas’ Mohamed Bamba.
Quaintance moved into the Top-10 in Arizona State history with his 57 blocked shots this season. He needs just four blocks to pass Warren Washington (2022-23) for the most blocks by a Sun Devil since Jordan Bachynsi set the program record in 2014
We Will Block You
Arizona State came into the game first in the Big 12 and 19th nationally averaging 5.2 blocks per game. While they didn’t quite reach that total, the Sun Devil shot blocking stay played a factor. ASU finished with four blocks as a team for the 15th time in 18 games this season.
Hitting the Glass
Not only has Quaintance solidified his status as a premier shot blocker nationally, he has also been outstanding on the glass. He is on pace to become the program’s all-time leader in rebounds per game by a freshman, a record previously held by Ike Diogu back in 2002-03. After another productive effort on the glass tonight (12 rebounds), Quaintance now has 10+ rebounds in eight games. He leads all freshmen nationally and has the third most rebounds in the Big 12 by any player.
Double Doubles
Jayden Quaintance now has six double-doubles this season after registering another against West Virginia. It was his second straight game with a double-double as he now has four over his past eight contests. Quaintance is currently one of only five Big 12 players and one of only five freshmen nationally with six or more double doubles this year.
Ba-Sheer Force
Basheer Jihad has impacted the game in many ways this season. In his first two games, he combined for five points on 1-of-10 shooting. Over his past 16 games, Jihad has accumulated 221 points (13.8 ppg) on 67-of-136 (49.2%) shooting. He has scored 20 or more points on four occasions, most of any Sun Devil. Jihad ability to get to the free throw line was on full display, as he finished 6-of-7 from the stripe. Jihad came into the game Top-5 in both free throw attempts and makes. Lately, it has been passing that has emerged as a strength. He 20 assists over his past six games after having only 13 through the first 12 games of the season.
Mr. Reliable
Alston Mason has been a steady presence in the lineup for Head Coach Bobby Hurley at point guard. Mason has led the team in minutes in 15 of the 18 games, including playing 37+ minutes in five straight games. He once again was relied upon in the win over West Virginia. In the matchup of the two players that average the most minutes in the Big 12, Mason finished with 39 compared to West Virginia’s Javon Small’s 35. He is now up to 35.4 minutes per game, which is neck-and-neck with West Virginia’s Javon Small (36.0) for the most in the Big 12 and also Top-50 nationally. Mason is also shooting a team-high 79.3% from the free-throw line.
Free’d Up
Senior guard/forward BJ Freeman recent emergence has come at an important time with the absence of Joson Sanon. He once again scored in double figures against Cincinnati, extending his streak to eight-straight. Freeman has finished with 10+ points in 15 total games this season, the most of any Sun Devil. Tonight he added eight rebounds to go with 15 points in 27 minutes of action despite playing banged up from an injury suffered last game.
Sansational Start
Due to injury, Arizona State was without the services of guard Joson Sanon against Colorado, Kansas, UCF, Cincinnati, and again tonight against West Virginia. When in the lineup, he has been in the conversation for best freshman in the country during ASU’s strong start. He is averaging 12.8 points per game this season, which is tied for the most among Big 12 freshman with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. Sanon would rank first in the Big 12 shooting 47.5% (29-of-61) from three-point range this season if he qualified with enough attempts. Sanon is T25th nationally among freshman (T14th Power 4 + Big East) in points per game. Arizona State moves to 2-3 without Sanon this season.
The Hurley Era
Bobby Hurley has now won 166 games at ASU and he is only the second coach in program history to reach the mark. With the win over Cal Poly earlier in the year, he passed Herb Sendek for the second-most victories in program history.
Career Wins at ASU
406, Ned Wulk (1957-82)
166, Bobby Hurley (2015-present)
159, Herb Sendek (2006-15)
About those Sun Devil Wins
Coach Hurley has notched 166 wins at Arizona State and has done it while scheduling aggressively and not being afraid to play on the road. He has won 104 games in Arizona, but also has won at least five games in California (16), Nevada (13), Oregon (six) and Washington (five). Four wins have taken place in Utah, three in New York, and two in Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Single wins have taken place in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and now West Virginia. Hurley has won in a total of 18 different states while at ASU.
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.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
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