Bobby Hurley's tenure at Arizona State may soon be coming to an end. 

This season’s trend of disappointing losses continued Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Orlando, Florida, as the Sun Devils (11-10, 2-6 Big 12) fell to UCF (16-4, 5-3 Big 12) 79-76. 

Despite entering as an underdog, ASU led 72-61 with just over five minutes remaining. However, a Knights’ 18-4 run iced the game and handed the Sun Devils their 10th loss of the year. 

After yet another late-game collapse, fans are beginning to point fingers at Hurley, who, in 11 years at ASU, has taken his squad to the NCAA Tournament just three times. Since the Sun Devils’ latest tournament appearance in 2023, ASU is 27-47. 

Following a sluggish loss earlier in the season to West Virginia (14-7, 5-3 Big 12) on Jan. 21, Hurley addressed the disappointment in himself and the home court environment . 

“I’m failing. I can’t get through to the team,” Hurley said during his postgame media conference. “It’s a sterile environment playing at home.”

Hurley is correct, as the attendance and energy inside Desert Financial Arena reflect the program’s shortcomings. 

The on-court product isn’t giving fans much reason to support either, as the Sun Devils are 12th in total scoring offense in the Big 12 and 14th in scoring defense. 

ASU also lacks a superstar or anyone incredibly entertaining to watch. If a team lacks stardom, it must compile a full-squad effort to win.

ASU hasn’t done that either. 

Ultimately, grinding wins and playing together start with a leader. Hurley hasn’t been that leader. 

It’s a rare sight when you see a coach tell the media that he’s lost the locker room. 

Hurley did that on Jan. 21. 

If admitting defeat from the inside isn’t a clear visual for a firing at the end of the 2026 season, I don’t know what is. 

That’s not all, Hurley’s contract runs out at the end of the year, so it shouldn't be hard for Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini to let him go. 

If Hurley wants to continue his tenure at ASU, he needs some magic – a lot of it fast. 

Hurley’s path to retention begins with a solid run in March. However, ASU sits at 13th in the Big 12. 

The automatic bid isn’t in play for the Sun Devils, and an at-large bid dwindles with each loss.

Although with a slim margin for error, the path to relevance begins when ASU hosts in-state rival, No. 1 Arizona (17-0, 4-0 Big 12), on Saturday, Jan. 31, at noon. 

Although Desert Financial Arena hasn’t been electric this season, ASU expects some extra juice for the rivalry. An upset win over Arizona would be monumental for the program and a boost to the power index.  

More importantly, a Sun Devils’ win will get fans believing in Hurley again. 

Earlier in January, ASU visited the Wildcats, who narrowly escaped 89-82 to preserve their undefeated season. 

In a hard-fought defeat, ASU still showed hope, as senior point guard Moe Odum provided a spark. 

Odum had 23 points, going 9-for-24 from the field, knocking down big, timely shots down the stretch. 

A Sun Devils’ win isn’t incredibly far-fetched Saturday, but if it happens, look for another big game from the senior guard. 

Though for now, it’s do or die for Bobby Hurley.