After opening the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a win over the Baylor Bears, Bobby Hurley made it clear just how steep the climb is for the Arizona State Sun Devils this week in Kansas City.
Speaking with reporters after the victory, Hurley addressed both his team’s postseason hopes and the uncertainty surrounding his own future with the program. Reports have circulated about his job status as his contract nears its end, but Hurley said he hasn’t been officially told anything by the university.
“I have not been told anything (by ASU),” Hurley said. “The source is reputable and a guy I know.”
While the speculation about his future continues, Hurley’s immediate focus remains squarely on the task in front of his team in the conference tournament. According to the longtime coach, that task might be even tougher than the sport’s ultimate prize.
“What we’re trying to do is win five games in a row,” Hurley said. “What we’re trying to do is potentially harder than winning a national championship.”
The comment reflects just how challenging the Big 12 Tournament can be. Unlike the NCAA Tournament, where top seeds often receive favorable matchups early in the bracket, the Big 12 tournament regularly features multiple nationally ranked teams and NCAA Tournament-caliber opponents across nearly every game.
For Arizona State, the path is especially demanding. Winning five consecutive games in a conference widely considered one of the deepest leagues in college basketball would require the Sun Devils to navigate a gauntlet of elite competition in a short span of time.
Still, the win over Baylor gives Arizona State early momentum and keeps the possibility of a deep tournament run alive.
Whether Hurley’s team can keep that momentum rolling remains to be seen, but for now, the Sun Devils are still playing, and their head coach believes what they’re attempting this week may be one of the toughest challenges in the sport.
