Social Media Reacts to Arizona State's Battle With West Virginia
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TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils came into Wednesday night's battle with the West Virginia Mountaineers in pursuit of snapping a two-game losing streak that put the team's season in jeopardy.
Head coach Bobby Hurley went into the game with a short-handed roster yet again, as Marcus Adams Jr. was ruled out on Tuesday night - this kept the squad at a compact eight-man rotation during the contest.
Follow key social media reactions from fans and media alike below with Arizona State on SI.
Forward Participates in Warm-ups for First Time This Season
Arizona State freshman forward Jovan Ictovic warmed up with the team prior to the game for the first time this season. Ictovic is a native of Serbia and has been working his way back in practice via Hurley.
The expectation remains that the freshman will redshirt this season with an anticipated return to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Jovan Ićitović, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward from Serbia who has missed the entire season thus far due to injury, went through warmups tonight. Looked good, but apparently not quite ready to play, per ASU. The team is short-handed again. Live updates:https://t.co/Mk3dKCE0sZ
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) January 22, 2026
In other injury news, Marcus Adams Jr. was ruled out for another game in Tuesday's player availability report. This absence creates a legitimate hole amongst the Arizona State wing rotation, forcing Hurley to utilize a multitude of three-guard lineups in response.
ASU rolls with Odum, Ford, Meeusen, Trouet, Diop. Pig Johnson benched; Adams Jr out. Eight man rotation; Ford 38.6% from three; Meeusen heating up. Peacock streams. we are mostly sane. 🏀 #ForksUp
— Arizona State Sun Devils | Progrums (@SunDevilsXO) January 22, 2026
Sun Devils Show Proficiency From Three
Guard Noah Meeusen started the early barrage from three-point range with a connection in the opening minutes of the game - this early statement carried into the rest of the half, as point guard Moe Odum knocked down two looks from behind the arc, while Anthony "Pig" Johnson and Andrija Grbovic made one each as well.
Moe Odum misses the up and under but pops out to the corner and drains a trey following the offensive board.
— House of Sparky (@HouseOfSparky) January 22, 2026
16-11 Sun Devils with 11:47 to go in 1st half. pic.twitter.com/WAAgvKVUvR
Arizona State shot 5-10 on three-point attempts in the first half, which is undeniably impressive. However, the most impressive area of the first-half offensive production has arguably been the ball movement that the team has exhibited.
Pig Johnson cashes in from deep, Sun Devils shooting 5/8 from distance to start 🎯 pic.twitter.com/qpsJyEUfTF
— House of Sparky (@HouseOfSparky) January 22, 2026
Arizona State Begin, Finish Second Half Cold
West Virginia built a lead of as much as seven points within the first 11 minutes of the second half behind an ice-cold offensive stretch from the Sun Devils - where they went just one of eight from the field.
The offense did respond abruptly, as a Massamba Diop dunk and three-point play by Anthony Johnson brought the game to back within a two-point deficit.
As we hit the under 12 TV TO the Mountaineers are up by 4, 50-46 over the Sun Devils as ASU is shooting just 30% from the field so far in this half as they have hit just 1 of their last 8 shots!
— Michael Carotenuto (@Diablos00) January 22, 2026
West Virginia was once again able to retake a commanding lead in the late stages of the game, as Arizona State's offense stagnated yet again - shooting 50% from the free-throw line certainly did not aid in their cause either.
There's the final TV TO of the 2nd half & the Mountaineers are still hot from field as they are 4 for 4 on their last 4 shots & lead 66-56, the bright spot is the Sun Devils are drawing fouls but they are shooting just 50% from the FT line! Both Diop & @mauriceodum6 have 14!
— Michael Carotenuto (@Diablos00) January 22, 2026
Unfortunately the Sun Devils were not able to come out on top, with Saturday's game against Cincinnati becoming a near must-win to keep the season alive.
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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Kevin Hicks is an Arizona State alumni and now serves as the Arizona State Beat Writer On SI.