Bobby Hurley, critical of his recent coaching, found a solution to end Arizona State basketball’s season-high, three-game losing streak.
He transformed "Guard U" into "Forward First," at least for Thursday night.
Making a concerted effort not to settle for 3-pointers, ASU attacked the basket relentlessly in transition and even in half-court sets, working to get the ball in the hands of its post players.
The quest for higher percentage shots and free-throw opportunities paid off in a 84-53 blowout win at Wells Fargo Arena that might have locked up ASU’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years.