Before committing any foul on the court, ASU sent the Oklahoma Sooners to the stripe by failing to submit its starting lineup in time prior to tipoff.

Head coach Bobby Hurley made no excuses for the violation, yet said he prioritized the players' health and ability to warm up.

“It was a short time to warm up,” Hurley said. “Our coaching staff was already focused on getting the guys ready to play, and that one slipped through the cracks. That won’t happen again.” 

Add a quick 3-0 deficit highlighted by an inability to secure offensive rebounds, and Hurley sent a message, eventually substituting the entire starting lineup out less than two minutes into play. 

However, Arizona State (7-2) responded to Hurley’s early decision, immediately going on a 27-3 run en route to an 86-70 victory over Oklahoma (6-3). The Sun Devils shot an impressive 54% (13-24) from 3-point range while limiting the Sooners to a mere 35% field goal percentage, all while recovering from a lengthy week of travel. 

“I didn't know what was going to happen,” Hurley said of the impending 18-0 Sun Devil run after the lineup change.

With a very coachable roster, Hurley said he felt validated in his trust of the group.

“The guys that I took out were excited that the guys who went in were having a positive impact on what was happening out on the floor,” Hurley said. “Sometimes you go with your gut instinct, and you're right, and you're wrong. That time, it worked.” 

Despite those early rebounding woes, ASU cleaned up the boards, winning the battle 40-38. 

“I like how the unit that came in responded, and guys on the bench, how they jumped right back into the float again,” Hurley said.

Although the Sun Devils outrebounded the Sooners, the 3-point shooting discrepancy separated the two teams. 

ASU made 13 3-pointers to OU’s 10, yet the Sooners shot just 28% from beyond the arc. 

Senior guard Moe Odum credited the lights-out shooting to his teammates' ability. 

“We were just playing team basketball,” Odum said. “We just made shots.”

Sophomore guard Noah Meeusen shared a similar sentiment.

“I feel like I can trust everybody,” Meeusen said.

Consequently, Hurley pointed to his team’s extensive knowledge of OU’s scouting report for the low field goal percentage allowed. 

A significant reason for ASU’s growing continuity came across the Pacific Ocean in Maui, when the team had the opportunity to bond off the court. 

However, Odum made it clear that playing winning basketball was a priority.

“This is not a vacation, it's a business trip,” Odum said. “(You’re) only gonna have fun if you win, you're not gonna have fun if you lose.” 

Odum said they knew rebounding and interior defense were areas of struggle heading back to Arizona, and the Sun Devils' effort on Saturday helped improve those areas. 

“It was more about what team wants it more,” Odum said. “It was more so effort this week, more than anything.” 

While Odum praised the Maui experience for improving ASU’s play on Saturday, Hurley voiced his concerns about the tournament’s wear and tear on his team. 

“All I kept thinking about from when Maui ended until this game was, did I do everything I needed to do to get them right,” Hurley said. 

Hurley said they took time off in between hard practices to get the team ready for action.

 “We had a good prep coming in,” Hurley said. “I think our mind was right, and physically, I think they were ready for the game tonight.”