Coach Bobby Hurley Zoom Media Recap (Oct. 8)

2020-21 Sun Devil Men's Basketball Links and Features

(Recap by Hunter Shulman, Sun Devil Communications Intern, Class of 2024)

There is much excitement in the air surrounding the start of Sun Devil men's basketball season.

Coming off an impressive 20-11 winning record last year, the Sun Devils are heading into the preseason with a national ranking at No. 15 according to 247sports. Led by Head Coach Bobby Hurley, Arizona State seeks to make their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament 

SUN DEVIL PRESEASON RANKINGS
--No. 13 by Jeff Goodman (Sept. 17, 2020)
--No. 14 by Jon Rothstein (August 3, 2020)
--No. 14 by Andy Katz/NCAA.com (Sept. 22, 2020)
--No. 15 by 24/7Sports.com (June 22, 2020)
--No. 24 by Blue Ribbon Yearbook (Sept. 17, 2020)

Bobby Hurley has prepared for the upcoming season with determination and an eagerness to win stating, "Our guys are energized and hungry for the season."

With a very talented roster and key players like Remy Martin and Kimani Lawrence returning and newcomers Josh Christopher and Marcus Bagley playing in their freshman year, Hurley has the confidence in his team and their schedule to have a remarkable season.

"This could be my most talented team, the one with the most potential."

Much of the excitement revolving around this year is the addition of McDonald's All-American and five-star recruit Josh Christopher, and four-star recruit Marcus Bagley-- the younger brother of Sacramento King's star Marvin Bagley III.

Christopher -- whose "competitive drive is unbelievable" according to Hurley -- only adds fuel to Hurley's enthusiasm and excitement.

In addition to that, seniors Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge Jr. have decided to stay in Tempe to return for another year with the Sun Devils. 

Although Hurley is very impressed with how the team is shaping up to look, the absence of Caleb Christopher and Kimani Lawrence due to injury will be felt. Christopher underwent surgery on his thumb and will be out for 6-8 weeks, while Kimani is battling a knee injury. Coach Hurley has been very impressed with the way these two players have taken their rehab, and he states that Kimani is "real aggressive with his rehab… he keeps himself in great shape". 

Even though playing and practicing have been made very difficult during this pandemic, Hurley has been confident with the way the team has handled the situation mentally and physically.

"We've been in a good routine the past several weeks with a lot of positive things happening," he says. The coaching staff has seen greater communication amongst the players, and Hurley references the importance and strength of a team united.

The Sun Devils officially return to practice Wednesday, October 14 and the Arizona State community could not be more thrilled.

ASU will kick off their season at the Empire Classic Tournament in Connecticut this November 25-26 where they could potentially play two top five teams, Villanova and Baylor. Hurley's confidence in the team gave them this opportunity to shine and stated "If I didn't see what I was seeing from these guys in the gym, we wouldn't do something like that."

The closer we get to the start of the season, the harder the Sun Devils prepare, and with an incredibly strong foundation of talented players, great coaching, and dedication "the ceiling is limitless as to what can happen this season."