Bobby Hurley talks recent success and previews Washington

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley had media availability on Wednesday before the team traveled to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies.

Early in the season Hurley and ASU faced many questions as they had a rough start to the season. As of late, Hurley and the team have fired off four straight conference wins to start the campaign. Now on Thursday night, they’ll be looking to go 5-0 in conference play for the first time this century.

Hurley talked about what has changed since the beginning of the season and what to expect against Washington.

Bobby Hurley points out the changes that have led to recent success

Since the rough start to the season, ASU seemingly has come stronger together to begin Pac-12 play and many factors have played into that. Hurley said that one of the main reasons that the team has played better throughout the last few games is the chemistry that they have developed with each other.

“I felt like there was more cooperation amongst the core, communicating and embracing with each other and playing in a more unselfish way,” Hurley said.

The team has shown much more hustle and willingness to pass the ball throughout the whole shot clock which has led to some very nice offensive numbers as of late.

The lowest total ASU has had on offense in the last four games is 71 and they have scored at least 75 in three of their last four games.

During the non-conference schedule, ASU had scored at least 75 points in just three of their first ten games.

Key players blossoming

Whether it was injury, waivers being denied or not feeling comfortable with their new team the key players had not been playing well until as of late.

Hurley mentioned three players that have begun to step up.

1. Shawn Phillips Jr
2. Adam Miller
3. Jose Perez

Shawn Phillips, the LSU transfer, has been a major miss for most of the season with his injury but now he is back.

For the last few games Phillips has been on a minutes restriction but Hurley says he has no choice but to play him more based on Phillips’s play over the last few games.

“Getting Shawn back, I know he hasn’t played major minutes but having him in the lineup makes a major difference….. having him out there makes a major difference around the basket,” Hurley said.

As for Perez, it had been noted in the past that he had not settled into the program just yet and was still trying to get things figured out. Recently, Perez has been playing his best basketball all season long and others are starting to take note.

“He [Perez] embodies, a new guy on a new team and was dropped into a foreign environment and he looks happier and more comfortable with his teammates,” Hurley explained. “And it is translating to the court.”

Lastly, Adam Miller has been the most welcome addition to the team.

Miller had been denied a waiver by the NCAA due to the multiple transfer rule but that was put on hold by the court. Now after being ruled eligible, the LSU transfer has been lighting it up and is showing to be not only one of the better players at ASU but also the Pac-12 as well.

Washington Preview

ASU takes on the Washington Huskies on Thursday night in Seattle for what will be a very tough task for the Sun Devils. As it sits right now ASU is a 7.5-point underdog to a very talented Huskies team.

Washington is currently top 50 in the Ken-Pom rankings and has a very impressive victory over Gonzaga. Hurley knows that Washington’s conference record may not be great but they are much better than their record.

“They are a really good team, really good offensive team,” Hurley explained. ” (Washington has) really good out-of-conference wins against Xavier and Gonzaga. They are 1-3 in the conference but all of those games were close… they are better than their record in the league.”

Washington as of now is averaging over 80 points a game which is in the top quarter of the nation, but one thing they do well is get to the free throw line a lot.

Limiting fouls

One thing that ASU has done very well during the season is to not get into foul trouble early, the only exception being the last game against Colorado.

Hurley knows that if they want to have any chance on the road they cannot give up any free points.

“We have been very good at not fouling, using our aggression but not fouling,” Hurley said. ” (Sahir: Washington PG) Wheeler we have to control him, he is their engine. (Keion) Brooks (Jr) is a very physical driver and gets to the free-throw line. We did not do a very good job of not fouling against Colorado, so on the road, we cannot give away free points.”

It is going to be an uphill climb for ASU in Seattle but they will be up for the challenge.

The tip-off is set for 9 pm AZT on FS1.

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