Arizona State’s 7-0 start was special. Not only was it the second straight year the Sun Devils reached the mark under coach Bobby Hurley, it was the second time in nearly four decades the program achieved it.
History aside, the bliss had more to do with recency – and specifically, what was missing. ASU became the Pac-12’s final unbeaten team, and one of the nation’s last 11, often without contributions from sophomore guard Remy Martin, junior transfer Rob Edwards and returning junior Mickey Mitchell.
But in their eighth game, a 72-66 loss to No.