HOUSTON — The Arizona State Sun Devils were looking to build on a strong performance against No. 1 Arizona five days earlier. Even though Bobby Hurley’s team didn’t win this game, it was a one-possession game with a minute remaining.
ASU traveled to take on the #7 team in the country, the Houston Cougars. However, the Sun Devils never made it to this one, losing 103-73 in Big 12 play on Jan. 18 at the Fertitta Center.
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It was the sixth defeat in the last seven games for the Sun Devils (10-8, 1-4). Three of the last four losses have been against teams ranked in the top 10 nationally, and all three of those games have come on the road.
It was the 11th consecutive victory for Houston (17-1, 5-0), whose only loss came against Syracuse 76-73 on November 25. Houston remains tied for first place in the Big 12 with Arizona. Texas Tech and BYU are a match back.
What went wrong
Many turnovers: This was perhaps ASU’s worst game in this regard, as they totaled 17, including 12 in a first half that ended with Houston comfortably ahead 56-29. The Cougars recorded 31 points off turnovers, with a 22-5 advantage in that category in the first half.
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I got off to a bad start: The Sun Devils gave the host team a 9-0 lead. Houston led 28-5 six minutes into the game, with ASU going 2 for 12 and turning the ball over seven times. Meanwhile, Houston made 11 of its first 14 shots from the field. It’s never been much better for visitors. It was the most points ASU allowed in a first half since a game against Kentucky (58) in 2016.
Maurice Odum #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives to the basket during the first half of the game against Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars at the Fertitta Center on January 18, 2026, in Houston.
The big two had a rough night: The Sun Devils go as far as Moe Odum and Massamba Dio can take them. Both fought mightily. Diop had just four points and five rebounds, going 1 of 5 from the field, while Odom was 2 of 10 from the field, although he had six assists.
Defense: This was the fifth time the Sun Devils allowed a team to score over 90, and the second time a team surpassed the 100 point mark. Houston shot 56.3% (40 for 71) and scored 44 points in the paint. The Cougars also shot 48 percent (12 of 25) from long range.
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What went well
Not much: The Sun Devils were able to cut the 33-point lead to 13 after two free throws from Massamba Diop cut it to 79-66 with 7:31 to play. The Cougars responded with a 13-2 run, and the rout resumed.
Free throw and 3-point shot: The Sun Devils made 20 of 24 attempts at the line, with Diop going 4 for 4 and Santiago Trouet 5 for 6. This is an area where the Sun Devils have been solid for much of the season. They were 9 of 25 from deep.
Personal notes
Hurley used his fifth different starting lineup of the season, with Noah Meuusen making only his second start. Meeusen, the sophomore from Belgium, was coming off a game-high 12 against Arizona and also gives ASU some size at the guard position.
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Sophomore forward Marcus Adams was out for the fourth straight game with a lower leg injury. His absence was in addition to two players who have yet to play this season, Vijay Wallace and Adante Holiman.
They said it
ASU coach Bobby Hurley talks about playing back-to-backs against Arizona and Houston: “Those two games in one week is the equivalent of playing in a Final Four, and I don’t think we’re a Final Four team right now. It was a lot to ask for this week. I’m going to take some responsibility because it’s my job to get the guys ready to play, and maybe I didn’t train them as hard as I needed to, to simulate how hard Houston plays. We tried to communicate that to the team.”
To be continued
The Sun Devils return home to host West Virginia at 7 p.m. on January 21 at Desert Financial Arena. The Mountaineers (12-6, 3-2) are coming off a 72-61 victory over Colorado behind senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff’s 22 points.
This game will be streamed on Peacock.
This article was originally published on Arizona Republic: ASU men’s basketball team gets battered by No. 7 Houston
