Iowa State Men's Basketball Crushes Arizona State 91–42 in Big 12 Tournament, Triggering Bobby Hurley Firing
The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team delivered one of the most dominant performances in Big 12 Tournament history Wednesday, obliterating Arizona State 91–42 in Kansas City. The 49-point blowout immediately triggered the end of Bobby Hurley's 11-year run as head coach of the Sun Devils.
Iowa State Men's Basketball Dominates From Wire to Wire
The Iowa State men's basketball team wasted no time turning this Big 12 Tournament contest into a rout. The Cyclones led 45–16 at halftime, a 29-point advantage that set the tone for one of the most lopsided outcomes in recent conference tournament history.
Iowa State shot 50.8% from the field and 40% from three-point range, while generating 44 points in the paint and 25 points off Arizona State's 23 turnovers. The Cyclones led by as many as 49 points, a margin that ultimately defined what will be remembered as the final chapter of the Bobby Hurley era.
Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson Shine for Iowa State
Milan Momcilovic was electric for Iowa State men's basketball, pouring in 21 points on 54.5% shooting and connecting on 4 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc. He was the engine of the Cyclones' perimeter attack and finished as the game's co-leading scorer.
Joshua Jefferson posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, adding 4 assists and 3 steals in a masterful all-around effort. Blake Buchanan added 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Tamin Lipsey chipped in 11 points and shot 60% from three.
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan Momcilovic | Iowa State | 21 | 2 | 1 |
| Joshua Jefferson | Iowa State | 20 | 12 | 4 |
| Blake Buchanan | Iowa State | 17 | 6 | 1 |
| Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State | 11 | 1 | 4 |
| Santiago Trouet | Arizona State | 13 | 10 | 0 |
Bobby Hurley Fired After Big 12 Tournament Loss
Bobby Hurley, who led Arizona State to three NCAA Tournaments in his 11-season tenure, will not return next season after athletic director Graham Rossini announced Wednesday that Hurley's contract will not be renewed.
Hurley will be placed on paid administrative leave through the remainder of his contract in June. The move ended an 11-year tenure in Tempe that produced a 185-167 overall record — second all-time in program history — but ultimately fell well short of what was needed to extend his stay.
Hurley led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament in his third season and did it in consecutive seasons from 2018–19, a first for the program since 1980–81. He also led Arizona State to a win at Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse in 2017, part of a 12-0 start that propelled them to No. 3 in the AP Top 25, matching the highest ranking in program history.
Bobby Hurley Reflects, Arizona State Looks Ahead
Hurley posted a heartfelt message on social media following the dismissal, writing that his family formed lasting friendships and created incredible memories, experienced multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and watched their children become Sun Devil alumni.
Arizona State's next coach will have the promise of a new home court as Desert Financial Arena is set for a $100 million renovation, and there are indications that university president Michael Crow plans to support men's basketball at a level not seen in the Hurley or Sendek eras.
Iowa State men's basketball advances to the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals and will face Arizona on Friday at 7:00 PM ET in Kansas City.
