When the Big 12 expanded, everyone circled the same date on their calendar: Kansas coming to Tempe. It sounds weird to say "conference game" when talking about ASU vs Kansas basketball, but that is the reality of the 2025-26 season. The Sun Devils aren't just guests at the table anymore. They’re roommates with the most storied program in college hoops.
Most people look at the history and see a mismatch. They see Bill Self’s two rings and a Kansas program that basically owns a permanent deed to the top of the standings. But if you've been watching Bobby Hurley’s squad lately, you know they play a brand of "controlled chaos" that makes even elite teams sweat. It’s a clash of cultures. The blue-blood discipline of Lawrence against the desert grit of Tempe.
💡 You might also like: Dolphins Roster Moves: Gabbert and Kohou News You Might Have Missed
What Most People Get Wrong About the Sun Devils
The common narrative is that Arizona State is just a "finesse" team that wants to outrun you. Honestly? That hasn't been true for a while. This season, they’ve reinvented themselves as a group that wins in the mud. Look at their January 10th win over Kansas State. They didn’t win with 3-pointers; they shot a miserable 13.6% from deep in that game.
They won because they absolutely bullied people in the paint. 50 points inside. 10 blocks. That’s not "finesse." That’s a message.
Freshman center Massamba Diop has become a legitimate problem for opposing coaches. He’s been putting up 20-point games like it’s a hobby, and his 7-foot-1 frame is finally giving ASU the rim protection they’ve lacked in years past. When you pair that with Moe Odum’s ability to stabilize the backcourt, you have a team that can actually hang with a giant like Kansas.
The "Close Game" Factor
If this game is tight with four minutes left, I’m taking Hurley’s guys. Since 2019, Arizona State has more wins in games decided by six points or less than almost anyone in the country. They have 48 of those wins. Kansas? They’re right there with 47.
Basically, both of these teams are comfortable in a heart-attack finish.
- Bobby Hurley lives for the technical foul and the momentum swing.
- Bill Self usually has the more "pro-ready" talent to close.
- The Desert Financial Arena crowd becomes a literal furnace during these stretches.
Why ASU vs Kansas Basketball is the Big 12’s New Best Rivalry
The history between these two is surprisingly even, though they haven't played often. Before joining the Big 12, their all-time series was split 6-6. People forget that ASU went into Lawrence in 2017 and walked out with a 95-85 win. Then they did it again in Tempe a year later.
Kansas fans remember those games. They weren't flukes. They were high-octane track meets where the Sun Devils simply refused to blink.
Now, with the stakes elevated to conference standings, the intensity has shifted. For Kansas, losing to ASU is a blemish on a potential 1-seed resume. For ASU, beating Kansas is the ultimate validation of their move to the Big 12. It’s the "we belong here" moment.
The Tactical Nightmare for Bill Self
How do you prepare for a team that changes its identity every week? One night, Anthony "Pig" Johnson is dropping 36 points and looking like James Harden. The next night, they turn into a defensive juggernaut that records 10 blocks and forces you into 30% shooting.
Kansas thrives on predictability and execution. They want to run their high-low sets and get easy looks. But ASU’s defense under Hurley is designed to disrupt timing. They overplay passing lanes. They gamble. It’s high-risk, but against a structured team like Kansas, it can cause a total system collapse.
Real Talk: Can ASU Actually Win the Interior?
In their recent matchups, Kansas has usually had the advantage in size and depth. But the 2025-26 Sun Devils are different. Santiago Trouet is a double-double machine who doesn't mind getting hit. Allen Mukeba provides a veteran presence that keeps the younger bigs from getting rattled.
The rebounding stats don't lie. ASU has been dominating the glass, recently putting up a 48-34 rebounding margin against Big 12 opponents. If they can limit Kansas to one shot per possession, the Jayhawks' offensive efficiency takes a massive hit.
🔗 Read more: FSU vs Miami 2025: What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
- The Paint Battle: Diop vs. whatever 7-footer Self has developed this year.
- The Free Throw Disparity: ASU has been getting to the line nearly 30 times a game.
- The "Tempe Curse": Top-5 teams have a weird habit of dying in the Arizona heat.
The Verdict on the Matchup
If you’re looking for a blowout, you’re looking at the wrong game. Every piece of data suggests this is going to be a possession-by-possession grind. Kansas has the pedigree, sure. They have the "Alpha" status. But Arizona State has the "nothing to lose" energy that makes them dangerous in January.
Sun Devil fans should keep an eye on the guard rotation. If Moe Odum can avoid foul trouble—which has been a bit of an issue in big games—he can dictate the pace. If he’s on the bench, Kansas will run away with it.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the First 5 Minutes: ASU tends to start slow and rely on "patented comebacks." If they stay within 4 points at the first media timeout, the upset alert is officially on.
- Check the Block Count: If Diop and Mukeba have 3+ blocks in the first half, Kansas will stop attacking the rim, which plays right into ASU’s hands.
- Follow the Analytics: Keep an eye on the "Strength of Record." ASU currently sits around 72, but a win here vaults them into the Top 40 and comfortably onto the NCAA Tournament bubble.
The move to the Big 12 was always about games like this. It wasn't about the travel or the TV money—at least not for the fans. It was about seeing the Jayhawks walk into Tempe and knowing they’re in for a fight.