PHOENIX — Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley broke down the Sun Devils’ resounding victory over another SEC foe in Oklahoma alongside guards Noah Meeusen and Moe Odum after the conclusion of the game Saturday night.

To watch the full availability, view below.

Below is a partial transcript of the post-game press conference, with added commentary.

Hurley on Subbing Out Starters Early

“I don’t really I didn’t know what was going to happen. All I knew was that we talked about rebounding. We had specific drills where and they would tell you that a shot went up and whoever got the rebound played offense, or every guard and every player had to run to the paint to get a rebound, just so we avoided standing around and watching the flight of the ball, not going after the basketball. So if, if, in my thought was, if I don’t do anything about this after giving up two offensive rebounds right away, then what I’m saying is meaningless.”

Hurley on Outworking Opponents

“I think sometimes if you concentrate on defending and playing hard and rebounding, then all of a sudden, like the shot just becomes a natural thing, it becomes second nature or and then, because you’re playing harder, you know, I thought we out we played harder. So, I mean, I look, I think I respect their coaching staff and their program. I thought we outworked them today, and because we did that, we were rewarded.”

Hurley on Marcus Adams Jr.

“Well, he missed so much time that it’s not surprising that it took some time, but getting him back to the mainland and getting him to practice, and even our own players, not only the coaches, our players, encouraging him to practice harder to get some extra conditioning in, and that would be him, because I saw him encouraging Marcus after practice was over, as he was doing additional sprint work to get himself back in shape.

And you can’t you have to do more at this stage, if you’re him, because of all the time he missed. So he deserved to play well because of all the work he put in all week to get ready for this game. I wanted to say that, like even to the broadcast team, as we talked to them today about the game keys, like I I knew some in some way that he was gonna he was kind of a positive impact.”

Hurley On Team Responding to Adversity

“It just feels that it validates trust that you have in the whole group. And and they were the guys that I took out. I think we’re excited that the guys went in. We’re having a positive impact on what what what was happening out on the floor. And you know, sometimes you go with your gut instinct and you’re right and you’re wrong. Sometimes that time it worked. But it wasn’t like they did something so bad that they all needed to come out. It was just more of like, what we were talking about all week long, how we needed to get better at rebounding, and right away it became an issue.”

Hurley On Team’s Overall Performance

Hall’s combination of size ( 6’7”, 240 lbs), scoring instinct, and inside-outside game makes him a dual threat: he can punish you inside the paint or step out for perimeter looks.

Hall’s all-around ability in rebounding, rim presence and scoring means he could dominate the paint and stretch the defense. Containing him will require disciplined defense and physicality.

Tahaad Pettiford — Playmaking Guard & Offensive Catalyst

Pettiford is Auburn’s returning guard who drew major notice last season and has improved to start this season as well. 

According to Sports-reference.com, in 2024–25, he averaged 11.6 points per game. To start this season, he is already averaging 14.1 points per game and 2.8 assists. 

As a pick-and-roll creator or primary ball-handler, Pettiford gives Auburn pace and playmaking which is something that could test Arizona’s perimeter defense and transition discipline. 

Even when not the highest-volume scorer, his ability to create offense, whether scoring or facilitating, means Arizona’s guards and help defenders have to find a way to contain him and limit his mobility.

Pettiford can push tempo, drive, and disorganize already aggressive defenses. If he gets to the paint, it could open up scoring lanes for others on Auburn.

KeShawn Murphy — Threat in Paint, Rebounder & Rim-Threat

Murphy, a transfer from Mississippi State, has been an impact player immediately for the Tigers.

According to ESPN, Last season he averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, showing reliable scoring and board-control skills. This season, early on, the point production is similar at 10.6 points per game, but the rebounding is down to 6.4, possibly due to fewer minutes. 

As a big man with mobility and ability to finish near the rim or operate in pick-and-rolls, expect Murphy to challenge Arizona’s interior defense and rebounding, especially if Auburn crashes the glass hard as they have for years.