Arizona State @ Southern California preview
Galen Center
Last Meeting ( Feb 17, 2021 ) Arizona State 71, Southern California 89
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley's team enters Monday night's game at No. 16 Southern California frustrated after rallying from a 15-point deficit at Stanford on Saturday only to see the game decided by a referee's call.
Hurley won't be with the Sun Devils, however. The Pac-12 suspended him for the game against the Trojans and fined him $20,000 after his confrontation with the officiating crew.
Stanford's Brandon Angel made three free throws with 1.1 seconds left after Jalen Graham was called for a foul on Angel's 3-point attempt in the Sun Devils' 79-76 loss.
The Cardinal attempted 41 free throws in the game and made 32 while Arizona State only tried nine and made seven.
"I'm just proud of my guys' effort," said Hurley, who along with guard DJ Horne was assessed a technical foul during the game. "My guys fought their asses off, played a winning game."
After the final buzzer sounded, following Jay Heath's failed full-court shot attempt, Hurley approached Pac-12 referee Chris Rastatter on the court. An Arizona State staff member stepped between them.
Heath appeared to bump Rastatter and the staff member pulled Rastatter away. Rastatter, held back by another referee, turned and pointed at Heath.
"I have never been a part of a game like this. Ever," Hurley said. "As a player or a coach. I'm just going to leave it at that."
Heath was also suspended for Monday's game in Los Angeles, while Sun Devils forward Jalen Graham publicly was reprimanded for his verbal confrontation with the official.
Arizona State (6-10, 2-4 Pac-12) was led by Horne's 18 points while Graham added 16 against Stanford.
The Sun Devils have a short time to turn their attention to USC, which is coming off a sweep of Colorado and Utah on the road for the first time since 2011.
The Trojans (16-2, 6-2) defeated Utah 79-67 on Saturday behind Drew Peterson's season-high 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range.
"I don't think I've ever shot it like this. I was feeling good and my teammates were finding me," Peterson said.
Arizona State is allowing opponents to shoot 33.7 percent from 3-point range, ranking last in the Pac-12 as of Saturday's games.
USC tallied 18 assists after recording only six in the 61-58 win at Colorado on Thursday.
The Trojans' 16-2 start is their best since the 1970-71 team began 17-1 on its way to a 24-2 record. That team featured Hall of Famer Paul Westphal.
"I don't think this team is as good as Paul Westphal's team," USC coach Andy Enfield said. "That was one of the greatest teams in USC history. But I love our team. We played hard and play well together."
Isaiah Mobley leads the Trojans averaging 14.8 points and he led the Pac-12 with 8.8 rebounds a game entering Sunday's games.
Three other players are averaging at least 10 points -- Boogie Ellis and Chevez Goodwin are averaging 12.8 a game while Peterson is at 11.2.
Goodwin ranked third in the Pac-12 in field-goal shooting (60.8) as of Saturday.
Horne leads Arizona State in scoring averaging 13.6 points a game. Kimani Lawrence (10.6 points a game) is the only other regular averaging scoring in double figures.
The Sun Devils have lost four of their last five games since winning at Creighton on Dec. 14.
--Field Level Media