Look, being an Arizona State fan is basically a lifetime commitment to emotional rollercoasters. One minute you're high on a massive upset in the Maui Invitational, and the next, you're staring at the Arizona State Sun Devils basketball schedule wondering how on earth Bobby Hurley is going to navigate a Big 12 conference that feels more like a nightly meat grinder.
Honestly? This season is different.
The move to the Big 12 wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a total system shock. Last year’s 13-20 finish left a bitter taste, and the preseason "experts" didn't help by picking ASU to finish dead last in the conference. But if you've followed Hurley at all, you know he lives for that "us against the world" energy. With 14 new faces on the roster—yeah, you read that right, 14—the 2025-26 schedule isn't just a list of games. It’s a total identity test.
The Big 12 Gauntlet: No Nights Off
The reality of the Arizona State Sun Devils basketball schedule in 2026 is that the "easy" games simply don't exist anymore. In the old Pac-12, you could usually circle a few weeks where you could catch your breath. Now? You’re playing Top-10 teams in Provo and Houston before you’ve even had time to take down your Christmas lights.
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January was particularly brutal. After dropping a heartbreaker to Colorado and getting thumped in Provo by BYU, the Sun Devils are currently sitting at 10-7 overall (1-3 in Big 12 play). The schedule ahead doesn't do them any favors.
Key Upcoming Matchups
- January 18 at Houston: This is arguably the toughest road trip of the year. The Cougars are currently ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll and are coming off a National Runner-up finish. Playing at the Fertitta Center is a nightmare for any backcourt, let alone one as new as ASU’s.
- January 21 vs. West Virginia: Finally, a breath of home air. Desert Financial Arena needs to be loud for this one. The Mountaineers are middle-of-the-pack, making this a "must-win" if ASU wants to stay out of the conference basement.
- January 31 vs. Arizona: The big one. The Territorial Cup. Whatever you want to call it, it's personal. Arizona is currently the No. 1 team in the country. Let that sink in. Hosting the top-ranked Wildcats in Tempe is the kind of game that can define a season—or destroy a rim.
Why the Non-Conference Success Matters
It's easy to look at the 1-3 conference start and feel like the sky is falling. But don't ignore what happened in November and December. ASU actually played some inspired basketball. They went to Hawaii and took down Texas 87-86 in a game that felt like a vintage Hurley-era shootout. They also handled Oklahoma in Phoenix during the Jerry Colangelo Classic.
That 9-4 non-conference record is the only reason this team has a pulse in the NET rankings.
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The roster is a weird, fascinating blend of international talent and mid-major "level-ups." You've got guys like Moe Odum, the Pepperdine transfer who’s currently one of the best facilitators in the country. Then there's Massamba Diop, a 7-foot-1 freshman who’s still learning how to use his frame but has shown flashes of being a defensive eraser.
Hurley basically threw out the old playbook and went heavy on length and international experience. It’s high-risk, but when it clicks—like it did against Washington State in Maui—it’s high-reward.
Navigating the February Slide
If the Sun Devils want to avoid the 15th-place finish everyone predicted, they have to survive February. The Arizona State Sun Devils basketball schedule for the second half of the season is a test of depth. Last year, injuries killed them. This year, the depth is there, but the chemistry is still "sorta" getting there.
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| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 4 | Utah | Salt Lake City |
| Feb 7 | Colorado | Boulder |
| Feb 10 | Oklahoma State | Tempe |
| Feb 17 | Texas Tech | Tempe |
| Feb 21 | Baylor | Waco |
Going to the mountains to play Utah and Colorado back-to-back is a conditioning nightmare. Then you come home to face a Texas Tech team that’s currently hovering around No. 15. There’s no room for a "bad night." In the Big 12, a bad shooting night doesn't just mean a loss; it means a 20-point blowout.
The Verdict on 2026
Is this team a tournament team? Probably not yet. But they aren't the worst team in the conference like the coaches' poll suggested. They’re scrappy. They’re inconsistent. They’re very "Arizona State."
The schedule is built to expose weaknesses. If the Sun Devils can’t figure out how to score in the paint against the likes of Houston and Baylor, it’s going to be a long walk to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. However, if Moe Odum continues to play like an All-Conference guard and the young bigs like Diop and Kash Polk grow up fast, they’re going to ruin some people's seasons in late February.
Actionable Fan Strategy
If you're planning on following the rest of the season, here is how to handle the Arizona State Sun Devils basketball schedule:
- Watch the Home Stand: The stretch from January 21 to January 31 (West Virginia, Cincinnati, Arizona) will determine if this team finishes with a winning record. They need at least two wins here.
- Monitor the NET: Don't just look at the W-L record. Because the Big 12 is so strong, ASU can lose games and still stay relevant in the rankings because of "strength of schedule."
- Check the Tip-Offs: Big 12 games are frequently on ESPN+ or FS1. The tip times for the Houston and Iowa State games are still flexible, so keep an eye on the official Sun Devil Athletics site for updates.
- Embrace the Underdog: This team plays better when nobody expects anything. The Arizona game on the 31st is the ultimate "circle it" date. Even if they're struggling, that game is always a war.
The 2025-26 season is a bridge to the future. It’s about proving that ASU belongs in the toughest basketball conference in America. It's going to be ugly sometimes, but it’s never going to be boring.