Asu Basketball: Division I Powerhouse In The Making

what divison is asu basketball

The Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team represents Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The team has a rich history, with 38 players having been selected in the NBA draft, including NBA stars like James Harden, Byron Scott, and Isaac Austin. The Sun Devils have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 17 times, including 3 Elite Eights, and have won eight conference championships. In addition, the team has had success in other divisions and tournaments, such as the NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament and the College Basketball Crown. The Sun Devils play their home games at the Desert Financial Arena and are currently led by head coach Bobby Hurley, who has brought a high level of excitement to the team and program.

Characteristics Values
Team Name Arizona State Sun Devils
University Arizona State University
Location Tempe, Arizona, United States
Head Coach Bobby Hurley
Conference Big 12
Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances 17
Number of Elite Eight Appearances 3 (1961, 1963, 1975)
Number of Conference Championships 8 (4 WAC, 4 Border Conference)
Highest National Ranking AP No. 3 (2017-18 season)
Number of NBA Draft Picks 38
Notable Alumni James Harden, Byron Scott, Isaac Austin, Lafayette Lever, Alton Lister
Home Arena Desert Financial Arena

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The Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team

The Arizona State Sun Devils is the basketball team that represents Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, United States. The team currently competes in the Big 12 Conference and has appeared in the NCAA tournament 17 times, including 3 Elite Eights (1961, 1963, and 1975). They have won eight conference championships (four WAC and four Border Conference) and finished in the final AP rankings seven times. The Sun Devils have a rich history of success, with 38 players selected in the NBA draft, including stars like James Harden, Byron Scott, and Isaac Austin.

The Sun Devils play their home games at the Desert Financial Arena and are currently led by head coach Bobby Hurley. In 2017, Hurley led the team to a 12-0 non-conference record and a signature win over the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in 2018, marking a historic first for the program. The Arizona State Sun Devils have a proud basketball tradition and continue to be a competitive force in the Big 12 Conference.

The team has experienced notable successes in recent years, earning a 3-seed and a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Conference men's basketball tournament before its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sun Devils were projected to be a 9-seed in the 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which was also canceled due to the pandemic. This would have been a significant achievement, as it would have been the first time since 1964 that the team had made the tournament for three consecutive years.

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The team's history in the NCAA tournament

The Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team has a long history of competing in the NCAA Tournament, with 17 appearances to their name. The Sun Devils have reached the Elite Eight three times (in 1961, 1963 and 1975) and have claimed eight conference championships. The team has also finished in the final AP rankings seven times and achieved a high national ranking of AP No. 3 under coach Bobby Hurley in the 2017-18 season.

In recent years, the Sun Devils have experienced mixed success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2017, under the leadership of head coach Bobby Hurley, the team achieved a 12-0 non-conference record and a signature win over the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks. This win marked a historic first for the program, as it was their first victory over a top-ranked team at home. However, their tournament performance that season was short-lived, as they suffered a first-round exit.

Prior to Hurley's arrival, Herb Sendek served as the head coach of the Sun Devils from 2006 to 2017. During his tenure, Sendek led the team to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the second round in 2009. The Sun Devils also reached the Pac-10 conference tournament finals that year, showcasing their potential.

Overall, the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team has made significant strides in the NCAA Tournament over the years. While they have yet to reach the Final Four or claim a national championship, their consistent appearances and notable achievements have contributed to a rich basketball history at Arizona State University.

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The team's performance in the Pac-12 Conference

The Arizona State Sun Devils, whose chief rival is the University of Arizona Wildcats, compete in the Pac-12 Conference. The Sun Devils joined the conference in 1978, when it was known as the Pacific-10 Conference.

The men's basketball team has participated in 13 NCAA tournaments. In 2017, the Sun Devils achieved a 12-0 non-conference record and a signature win over the #1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks on December 22, 2018 – the first win over a top-ranked team at home in the program's history.

The Sun Devils have had a successful history in other sports as well. The baseball team has appeared in the College World Series 22 times, and the football team won the Rose Bowl in 1987 and the Fiesta Bowl in 1971, 1972, and 1973. The ASU hockey team won the ACHA National Championship in 2013-2014, and the men's rugby team has played in Division 1 of the Gold Coast Conference.

In terms of individual achievements, 36 ASU Sun Devils have been selected in the NBA draft, including James Harden, who went on to become the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The ASU women's golf program is the most successful in NCAA history, with eight NCAA Division I national championships.

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The team's head coaches

The Arizona State Sun Devils basketball team has had 19 head coaches in its 113-season history. The team's current head coach is Bobby Hurley, who was hired in April 2015. Hurley led the Sun Devils to a 12-0 non-conference record in 2017 and a signature win over the #1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks on December 22, 2018, marking the first victory over a top-ranked team at home in the program's history.

Prior to Hurley, Herb Sendek served as head coach from 2006 until the end of the 2015 season. During his tenure, Sendek brought a "basketball atmosphere" and excitement to the ASU campus, leading the Sun Devils to three consecutive 20-win seasons, the 2009 Pac-10 conference tournament finals, and the second round of the NCAA tournament in his first four years.

Ned Wulk is another notable head coach in the history of ASU men's basketball. He led his teams to 17 winning seasons, nine NCAA tournaments, and three Elite Eight appearances in 1961, 1963, and 1975. In 1980, the Pac-10 named him Coach of the Year. Wulk's teams set the ASU record for the longest winning streak at 18 games during the 1962 season. He is the most successful coach in the program's history, with an overall record of 406-272.

Charli Turner Thorne, who served as the head coach of the ASU women's basketball team for 25 seasons, announced her retirement on March 3, 2022. She earned a pair of gold medals with USA Basketball and was inducted into the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Distinction. Ward O'Connell, who coached diving at ASU for 24 years, played a significant role in the construction of the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center and founded the Sun Devil Divers club team in Tempe.

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The team's performance in other sports

Arizona State University (ASU) has a strong athletic programme, with 26 NCAA varsity sports and over 650 student-athletes. The university has a history of success in various sports, with 25 NCAA team national championships.

ASU's baseball team has an impressive record, having won five NCAA championships and appearing in the College World Series 22 times. The university has also produced several notable baseball players, including Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Barry Bonds, and Bob Horner.

The women's golf team is the most successful in NCAA history, with eight NCAA Division I national championships. The golf programme has produced several notable alumni, including Phil Mickelson, a six-time major champion, and Paul Casey.

ASU has also found success in track and field, with national championships in men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. Additionally, the university has produced several Olympic athletes, including long jump gold medallist Dwight Phillips and two-time Olympic gold medallist Melissa Belote-Ripley.

The Sun Devils have also excelled in rugby, with a successful rugby sevens programme. The team has competed in the Collegiate Rugby Championship and the USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships.

ASU's other notable achievements include national championships in wrestling, softball, and men's swimming and diving. The university's basketball team has participated in 13 NCAA tournaments, and the football team has won several bowl games, including the Rose Bowl in 1987.

Frequently asked questions

The Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team currently competes in the Big 12 Conference.

The ASU basketball team has appeared in the NCAA tournament 17 times, including 3 Elite Eights in 1961, 1963, and 1975.

Bobby Hurley is the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team.

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