REVEALED: Arizona State Nearly Runs Out of Players in Loss to BYU

Arizona State’s basketball team faced a bizarre and challenging situation in their recent game against BYU, nearly running out of available players due to foul trouble and injuries. The Sun Devils, already shorthanded entering the contest, struggled to keep a full lineup on the floor in what became a chaotic and frustrating night for head coach Bobby Hurley.

BYU, ranked No. 18 in the country, defeated Arizona State 77-49 in a dominant performance, but the bigger storyline was the Sun Devils’ dwindling roster. Arizona State entered the game with just eight scholarship players available, and things quickly spiraled out of control. Multiple players picked up early fouls, forcing Hurley to rotate his lineup in an attempt to manage the situation.

The foul trouble escalated in the second half when key players started fouling out. Jamiya Neal, Frankie Collins, and Alonzo Gaffney were among those who exited due to fouls, leaving Arizona State dangerously close to finishing the game with fewer than five eligible players. At one point, Hurley was left with just five players on the floor and no available substitutes. If another player had fouled out, Arizona State would have been forced to continue with only four players, an extremely rare scenario in college basketball.

The Sun Devils’ offensive struggles made matters worse. They shot just 27.3% from the field and 16% from three-point range, making it nearly impossible to keep up with BYU’s efficient attack. The Cougars capitalized on Arizona State’s misfortunes, building a comfortable lead early and never looking back.

Arizona State’s lack of depth has been a problem all season, with injuries and eligibility issues limiting the team’s options. This game against BYU highlighted just how thin their roster has become. Hurley expressed frustration after the game, noting that his players fought hard despite the circumstances but were ultimately overwhelmed by the foul trouble and lack of depth.

With Pac-12 play approaching, Arizona State will need to find ways to stay competitive despite their limited roster. If foul trouble continues to be an issue, they may find themselves in more difficult situations as the season progresses. For now, their loss to BYU serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly things can unravel when a team is short on available players.