Santiago Trouet Discusses What ASU Must Improve After WVU Loss

TEMPE -- Starting Arizona State forward Santiago Trouet spoke to media following Wednesday's 75-63 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers.

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Below is a partial transcript from head coach Bobby Hurley's press conference following the game, with added commentary.

On Noah Meeusen Failing to Foul at End of Half

rgrer — Jan 21, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Noah Meeusen (15) celebrates a three point shot against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"He's a really good player, but we talked about taking a foul at the end of the half, we had five team fouls, and none of the players in the floor have a foul. But this is why things that we might draw on a board in a huddle don't get executed sometimes, because there isn't a commitment to listening and and we lack discipline in terms of listening to what some of the things that I'm trying to get across the team. So I my voice is not working with this group, and it's that was a great example of it."

Arizona State held a 37-32 lead in the final seconds of the first half. Meeusen opted to defend West Virginia sharpshooter Honor Huff instead of fouling - despite the Sun Devils not being in the bonus. The result was Huff draining a 31-foot jumper to end the period and cut the ASU lead to two.

On West Virginia, Having No Answers

"They don't do anything that they can't do. They play a very tight game, so we can't afford to turn the ball over 13 times against a team like this. We can't afford to in a in a lesser possession game, do those things. We can't go 10 of 18 from foul line in the game, our points are premium. So, you know, we failed. I'm failing. I can't get through to the team."

It was known going into the game that West Virginia had a very defined style of play - between a balanced scoring attack on offense and a very tight ship on defense. This is the only time the two teams will square off this season, so Arizona State's chances of exacting revenge are non-existent.

On Feeling Demoralized

reregrg — Jan 10, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley in the huddle with his players against the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"Yeah, it is in terms of just, you know, the light at the end of the tunnel. It's hard to see a lot of light. I love the group, though, this group is far different than some other teams that I've had like that at times might have made me sick to my stomach.

You know this, this group of people are very willing to try and give what they have. So I am not overly disappointed in that regard. It's just more of the hope that hope and the schedule has something to do with it. Like, let's call it what it is, sending a team to BYU and getting one home game and then two more games against a rival, and then, like, one of the best teams in the country all in the road. I mean, that's just ridiculous. So all these factors matter in some ways."

Hurley is frustrated with the way the last six weeks have transpired. The Sun Devils started the season with a 9-2 record, but have faltered from mid-December on for the second consecutive season. The team returns to play on Saturday, taking on the Cincinnati Bearcats at home.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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