5 Favorite Moments From Arizona State's 2025-26 Season

There were many positives to take out of this Sun Devil basketball season despite not ending in an ideal manner.

ASU Sun Devils guard Moe Odum (5) celebrates with fans after their 70-60 win over the Kansas Jayhawks at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on March 3, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The 2025-26 Arizona State men's basketball team put together a mixed bag of a season. On one side of things, the squad exceeded expectations by a conspicuous amount, but the season ended with a 49 point loss and ultimately resulted in the exit of Bobby Hurley.

There's no denying that there were many highs in the campaign that can be looked at in a positively lit tint - Arizona State on SI names five of the most exhilarating moments of the 33-game season below.

5. Dominant Performance Sinks Oklahoma in Phoenix

One of Arizona State's signature moments of the season absolutely had to be blitzing the Oklahoma Sooners in the second game of the Jerry Colangelo Classic at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 6.

The Sun Devils built up a 25-6 lead early in the game - with the advantage eventually ballooning up to 25 before earning a decisive 86-70 win.

Dec 6, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona State University Sun Devils guard Bryce Ford (4) shoots a layup against Oklahoma University Sooners in the second half at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images | Anna Carrington-Imagn Images

This game served as one of the Sun Devils' best showings on the defensive side of the ball during the year, and also displayed just how balanced the offense had the ability to be, as four players reached double digit scoring figures.

4. Second-half Flurry Results in Win Over Santa Clara

This was perhaps the most improbable victory of the season based on the statistics - Arizona State went into halftime trailing 55-38 after a hapless defensive half, which came just a week after taking down Oklahoma. This was compounded by Hurley's ejection.

Assistant head coach Nick Irvin proved to be the hero of the night, as he implemented a gameplan predicated on taking Santa Clara's Christian Hammond out of the game - and it worked to a tee. The victory wasn't one that was aesthetically pleasing or convincing, but it once again displayed the grit and resolve this particular team held.

3. Moe Odum's Clutch Gene Leads to Taking Texas Down

Arizona State took place in several early-season litmus tests - Sean Miller's Texas Longhorns were one of them.

Nov 26, 2025; Lahaina, HI, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Moe Odum (5) tries to get around the USC Trojans defense during the first half of the championship match at Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images | Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

Arizona State's 39-34 advantage at halftime evaporated rapidly in the second half - Odum's heroics came through in a consequential manner, while Anthony "Pig" Johnson put together an incredible showing as an attacker.

Odum drilled a three-point look off of a spin around a screen by Massamba Diop to take a one-point lead with 10.6 seconds remaining - Arizona State held on in the late-night thriller with an incredible defensive possession.

ASU Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) sits on the bench before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2. Upsetting Texas Tech to Reignite Hope in Season

This contest was simply one of the very best plans of attack that Hurley put together over his final three seasons of leading the program.

The Texas Tech offense was stagnant for much of the night, every Arizona State roster member that played scored, and the fans rushed the floor after a victory that reignited hopes that there were larger ambitions to cap this season off.

1. Senior Night Victory Over Powerhouse Kansas

The Odum and Diop tandem continued to put together season-defining performances until the very last game of the campaign.

The pair combined for 42 of Arizona State's 70 points in what was an "ugly" victory - Kansas shot just 29% from the floor, including star Darryn Peterson shooting just 3-18.

Mar 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shoots the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The victory ensured the seniors went out on a high note, provided great closure to the Hurley era, and caused the second court storm in just three weeks.