LAS VEGAS – The best thing about conference tournaments is they provide a second chance, but that doesn’t apply to everyone. For those stuck at the bottom of conferences, teams like Arizona State, second chances are hard to grasp.
That’s how it unfolded late Wednesday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena, where the 11th-seeded Sun Devils failed to find a miracle potion, ending their season in a 75-66 loss to sixth seed Oregon State.
The Sun Devils finished Bobby Hurley’s first season at 15-17, the program’s first losing mark since 2012. For a team that returned four starters from last season’s squad that tied for fifth in the Pac-12, more was expected, but the reality was harsh.