Arizona State tipped off the 2025–26 men’s basketball season with authority, securing an 81–64 win over Southern Utah on Tuesday night inside Desert Financial Arena. The Sun Devils controlled the game wire-to-wire, showcasing depth, pace, and a swarming defensive identity that looks built to travel as the season progresses.

From the opening possessions, ASU dictated tempo. The Sun Devils repeatedly forced contested shots inside, leaked out in transition after rebounds, and pushed the ball with pace. Their commitment to turning stops into instant offense proved to be the difference—ASU outscored Southern Utah 24–11 in transition, a margin that helped open early separation.

At the center of the spark was transfer guard Anthony “Pig” Johnson, who came off the bench and immediately energized the arena. Johnson led the Sun Devils with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a pair of threes, to go along with four rebounds and three assists. He played with pace, pressure, and confidence—exactly the type of sixth-man spark plug that changes the tone of a game.

ASU’s frontcourt debut also turned heads. Freshman center Mor Massamba Diop made his collegiate presence known, scoring 14 points with five boards and three highlight-reel blocks. His combination of length, mobility, and defensive timing gives ASU a true paint anchor—a piece the program has lacked at times in recent seasons.

Next to him, 6’8” wing/forward Allen Mukeba delivered a highly efficient evening, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in just 17 minutes. Mukeba was everywhere defensively—challenging shots, switching onto guards, and cleaning the glass.

The perimeter group played its role to complement the frontcourt. Bryce Ford knocked down three triples on his way to 11 points, while point guard Moe Odum served as the engine, finishing with eight assists and just one turnover. Odum’s poise helped ASU maintain rhythm in half-court sets and push tempo when lanes appeared.

Defensively, the Sun Devils were locked in from start to finish. Southern Utah shot just 4-for-25 from three (16%) and 37% overall. ASU’s ability to close out under control while using length to contest passing angles forced the Thunderbirds into 16 turnovers—many of which ignited the runouts that powered ASU’s offense.

While Southern Utah generated some interior scoring late, the Sun Devils never allowed momentum to flip. Each time the Thunderbirds trimmed the deficit to single digits, ASU answered with a defensive stand, a transition bucket, or an aggressive drive to the rim. It was a mature performance for a season opener, particularly for a roster featuring several new rotation pieces.

​The win marks Arizona State’s 10th straight home-opening victory under head coach Bobby Hurley and moves the program to 6–0 all-time against Southern Utah.

Arizona State didn’t just win its opener—it established an identity:

If this combination holds, the Sun Devils will be a difficult matchup for anyone, especially on their home floor.
​Next up: Utah Tech visits Tempe on Sunday, November 9.