TEMPE — Just eight months ago, Mullett Arena was just Arizona State's multipurpose arena, not yet officially named and still very much under construction. On February 14 during a media tour of the facility, the rink was shaped but the ice not down, and the pipes under what would be the ice surface were fully exposed. The seating bowl was formed but seats not in place. Metal and building materials were everywhere and a hard hat and safety glasses were required for visitors.
Friday night was a long way and a short time frame from those construction days.