TEMPE, Ariz. — Followers spilled out of the stands onto the courtroom, leaping and shouting in celebration of Arizona State’s large upset.

Because the chaos swirled round him, Bobby Hurley, a coach identified for his fiery sideline demeanor, calmly walked alongside the scorer’s desk shaking palms with Kansas’ coaches and gamers earlier than heading up the ramp.

No fist pumps, no shouts of pleasure, even when could have been his ultimate residence recreation.

Only a coach pleased with the best way his staff fought by way of adversity — simply as he did all through his profession.

“These youngsters care in regards to the recreation, they wish to play the proper method, and numerous them are underdogs, like I all the time was,” Hurley mentioned after Arizona State’s 70-60 victory over No. 14 Kansas on Tuesday night time. “And that’s why I might relate to them.”

Hurley’s position as the last word underdog was a part of what made his hiring 12 years in the past such an enormous splash.

An undersized level guard, he gained two nationwide championships at Duke and remains to be the NCAA’s profession assists chief. He performed 5 seasons within the NBA earlier than a automobile accident minimize his profession brief.

Hurley gained nearly instantly after turning into a head coach, taking Buffalo to the NCAA Event for the primary time in his second season.

He additionally gained at Arizona State, simply not sufficient.

Via 11 years of ups and downs, Hurley entered the ultimate season of his contract seemingly needing an NCAA Event berth to maintain his job. The Solar Devils fell properly brief, leaving them needing a miracle run on the Massive 12 Event or bust.

“He’s the best coach that’s ever coached me,” mentioned Arizona State guard Moe Odum, who had 23 factors in opposition to Kansas. “I’d go to conflict with him anytime. I don’t care what anyone says.”

If Tuesday night time was his ultimate residence recreation, it was fairly a option to exit.

Two of the most important highlights of Hurley’s tenure — outdoors of three NCAA Event appearances — had been wins over Kansas in consecutive seasons.

The Solar Devils gained at Allen Fieldhouse in 2017 in opposition to the second-ranked Jayhawks, a part of a 12-0 begin that propelled them to No. 3 within the AP High 25, matching the best rating in program historical past.

The Solar Devils did it once more the next season in Tempe, taking down Kansas for his or her solely residence win over a No. 1 staff.

Destiny introduced the Jayhawks again for the potential finish of Hurley’s residence finale within the desert.

The Solar Devils got here out with the identical fireplace their coach has on the sideline and through his enjoying days, smothering the Jayhawks whereas constructing a 20-point lead.

A coach was ejected and it wasn’t Hurley — Invoice Self was tossed for arguing an offensive name on Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson.

Kansas stormed again, pulling with 4, then again to 2 after Arizona State once more stretched the result in double digits.

In contrast to a few of the video games they could not discover a option to end, the Solar Devils pushed again, shoving the Jayhawks out the door and Hurley to a win in what could possibly be his ultimate recreation at Desert Monetary Enviornment.

“I do not assume it was me,” Hurley mentioned. “It will have been a pleasant storyline, however I actually imagine that is who they’re.”

Aggressive to the tip, similar to their coach.

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