Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Alford, Nevada Blown Out By Bobby Hurley, Arizona State in First Four
DAYTON, Ohio – Two national champion point guard-turned coaches matched up in the NCAA Tournament First Four on Wednesday at the University of Dayton Arena.
Steve Alford, a 1987 national champion with the Indiana Hoosiers, snuck into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years as Nevada's coach. But led by coach Bobby Hurley, a 1991 and 1992 national title winner with the Duke Blue Devils, No. 11 seed Arizona State controlled the game from the opening tip in a 98-73 win over fellow 11-seed Nevada in the First Four.
Despite the lopsided outcome, Hurley commended Alford for what he's achieved as a player and coach.
"He's a winner and he's been a winner his whole life," Hurley said of Alford. "So you know you're going to get his best shot. His team is going to be ready and prepared. I don't think it was a matter of them not playing well, I think it was us playing exceptional. I thought that was the story, especially early in the game."
Alford grew up just over an hour from UD Arena in New Castle, Ind., where he once dreamed of playing on a national stage. Those dreams came true playing four seasons at Indiana for coach Bob Knight, who Alford still considers a dear friend and mentor. And although Wednesday's outcome ended Nevada's season, Alford understands the reality of college basketball in March.
"Bobby has had that chance to do it as a player, I've had that chance to do that as a player," Alford said. "It's great in coaching when you can give your guys that same experience and opportunity, but you're not guaranteed six or seven games in this deal. You're only guaranteed one. That's the hardness of March Madness. It's unfortunate we don't get to continue playing with that group of young men because they have been a special group."
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Arizona State jumped out to an early 10-point lead on Wednesday, and a 17-0 run starting midway through the first half turned the game into a blowout. Arizona State shot 67.7 percent with eight 3-pointers to take a 53-26 lead into halftime. It was the most points Nevada has allowed in any half this season, and an 8-to-1 turnover differential accentuated the disparity in play after 20 minutes.
After calling a timeout in the first half, the mild-mannered Alford looked to his team and stated simply, "We gotta guard." Alford's Wolfpack came out with more intensity and a full-court press to begin the second half, which helped trim the lead early on.
3-point shooting was no issue for the Wolfpack, who connected on 11-of-21 attempts – much like Alford, who shot 53 percent from beyond the arc as a senior – but it continued to be a major struggle on the defensive end. A 13-5 run to begin the first half came with thoughts of a Nevada comeback, but that was shortly put to rest as Arizona State repeated another impressive offensive half in the final 20 minutes.
"[Arizona State] got too many easy paint stuff, and then they saw the ball going in," Alford said. "And when you're in postseason, if you can see the ball go in, you get a lot of confidence."
It was a near-flawless offensive game for Arizona State, who shot 63.6 percent overall with an identical 11-for-21 night from 3-point range. Hurley's group finished with 36 points in the paint and 14 points off turnovers, and five Sun Devils scored at least 12 points, led by DJ Horne with 20.
"It was a complete performance for us," Hurley said. "You want to be playing this way at this time of year. That's what it's all about. I truly believe that our schedule and the games we've been in, especially late in the season, prepares you for these type of games. And it was across the board, just everyone contributed. Our defense was outstanding in the first half."
The Wolfpack heads back to Nevada, still searching of their first NCAA Tournament win in the Alford era. Alford led UCLA to three Sweet 16 appearances in five and a half seasons, and he reached three NCAA Tournaments at both New Mexico and Iowa.
Despite the early tournament exit, Alford is proud of the group that helped turn a 13-18 record from last season into a 22-11 mark with a trip the Big Dance.
"We had a lot of adversity last year and didn't handle it very well, and I thought the guys that were returning did a great job of just handling adversity," Alford said. "It's one thing to talk about team greater than self, but it's another thing to go out and do it, and I think since last April, this team has really done that. As a coach, that's all you ask for. They've given us everything."
With this win, Arizona State advances to the Round of 64, where they'll face the 6-seed TCU Horned Frogs on Friday at 10:05 p.m. ET in Denver, Colo. This is Arizona State's third NCAA Tournament appearance under Hurley, but the Sun Devils haven't made it past the Round of 64 since he took over in 2015-16.
"I'm appreciative that the NCAA allows the game to take place at the very end of the night on Friday," Hurley said. "Because the last time we were in here and won, it was I believe an afternoon game, and just wasn't enough time really for us to physically bounce back. Every hour counts, and that'll be the focus the next 36 hours."
Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a call in the first half against the Nevada Wolf Pack at UD Arena.
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