Arizona State University faces the University of Hawaii in a highly anticipated basketball matchup tonight at Bankoh Arena, part of the Stan Sheriff Center. This game marks a crucial moment for the Sun Devils, who enter with a record of 3-1. They are preparing for the upcoming Southwest Maui Invitational, set to begin next week.
Head coach Bobby Hurley, a member of the renowned Hurley basketball family from New Jersey, leads ASU into this contest. His father, Bob Hurley Sr., is celebrated as one of the premier high school coaches in the United States, having secured 26 state titles during his 39-year tenure at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City. “When I was growing up, you could make the argument Bob Hurley was one of the premier high school coaches ever,” said Eran Ganot, head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. “He’s one of the premier coaches at any level in the history of the game. Period.”
The Hurley legacy continues with Bobby’s brother, Dan Hurley, who recently led the University of Connecticut to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2023 and 2024. Ganot acknowledged their competitive spirit and deep love for the game, emphasizing the impact of their family on the sport.
Hawaii guard Hunter Erickson, who transferred from the University of Utah, is familiar with ASU’s style of play. Having faced them four times in the last two seasons, he anticipates a challenging game. “They’re always fun games,” Erickson noted. “They’re a high-energy team and have a high-energy coach. They always bring the fight. I anticipate the same thing this game.”
In preparation for the matchup, Hawaii’s assistant coach, Clay Wilson, reflected on his experiences playing against Bobby Hurley when he was an assistant coach at Wagner. Wilson mentioned that the Hurley brothers instilled energy and toughness in their teams. “Their team played hard. They want to muck the game up and make it tough for you to have confidence and play the right way,” he stated.
ASU point guard Maurice Odum has been a standout player this season, boasting a remarkable ratio of 30 assists to just 11 turnovers in four games. He currently ranks eighth nationally in total assists and has shown proficiency from beyond the arc, hitting 40.7% of his three-point attempts. Alongside him, freshman Massamba Diop, who stands at 7-foot-1, has averaged 14.5 points on 59.5% shooting, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. Diop, along with 6-foot-11 Andrija Grbovic, form a formidable frontcourt for the Sun Devils.
Hawaii’s recent challenges include the absence of 6-foot-9 post player Harry Rouhliadeff, who is recovering from an injury sustained in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic championship game. Ganot indicated that Rouhliadeff has shown signs of improvement and may be available for tonight’s game. Despite his absence, the Rainbow Warriors managed to adapt by utilizing Gytist Nemeiksa or Jalen Myers alongside Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson in the frontcourt.
Erickson emphasized the team’s collective effort in overcoming setbacks. “One thing Coach Ganot always harps on is we lose a guy, everybody picks up a little extra,” he stated. “If one guy goes down, it’s not up to another guy to pick up all the slack. It’s up to all of us to pick up a little extra. We’ve been doing a pretty good job with that.”
In a recent development, Tanner Cuff, a 6-foot-7 guard for the Rainbow Warriors, announced on Instagram that he underwent surgery for season-ending ACL and meniscus injuries. In his absence, Erickson, Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Isaiah Kerr, and Hunter Carter have shared responsibilities at the point guard position.
As Hawaii prepares to host a Big 12 team, guard/wing Quandre “Dre” Bullock expressed enthusiasm for the home crowd. “It’s another home game for us. It’ll be good to see the crowd and get their energy again,” he said.
Tonight’s game promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams eager to secure a victory and gain momentum heading into their respective upcoming challenges.
