👋 GOOD MORNING

Happy Wednesday! We’re halfway home! I’ll get to the Sun Devils’ post-mortem below, but first, stunningly there was some Arizona Coyotes news yesterday, and it’s exactly what you would expect. Zach Buchanan of the Phoenix New Times reported that IceArizona, the former ownership group of the Coyotes, is suing the Arizona Board of Regents for $3.5 million in an effort to recover its deposit that allowed it to use Mullett Arena as a temporary home while the team was attempting to lock down a permanent arena. When those plans faltered, owner Alex Meruelo sold the team, meaning there was no Year 3 played at The Mullett.

Sigh. I just wish this saga would be over once and for all.

We still have great hockey to watch here, though, and I hope you all come join us on the patio outside of Mullett Arena on Friday for Sun Devils playoff hockey! ​RSVP for free here​ — I really hope to see you there!

On to the show!

Shorthanded Sun Devils 1-and-Done at Big 12 Tourney

That’s a wrap on a disastrous basketball season for the ASU men’s basketball team.

The Sun Devils fell 71-66 to Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament yesterday, in a game that was pretty darn competitive, but not good enough. Arizona State was shorthanded (like much of the season), but showed a lot of mettle in a virtual road game against the Wildcats in Kansas City. Just like that, a season that started with so much optimism came to a screeching halt on one of the ugliest basketball courts I have ever seen — but that’s a conversation for another time.

Sun Devils May Have MOre Basketball To Play

AZCentral’s Michelle Gardner reported after the game that coach Bobby Hurley told her the Sun Devils will compete in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, to be held in Vegas in late March and early April. On top of that, Arizona Sports radio personality John Gambadoro reported Hurley will return for the 2025-26 season, which is the final year of his current contract.

There’s work to be done.

• ASU finished 13-19, and just 4-16 in the Big 12.
• The team was riddled with injuries throughout the season, and dismissed leading scorer BJ Freeman late last month for conduct detrimental to the team.
• Hurley will be entering his 11th season with ASU, which has made the tourney once since 2019.

My take: I like that Hurley is coming back. I honestly thought he did a heck of a job recruiting, and we’ll see how he can bounce back in a day-and-age where student-athletes transfer like crazy. This team was tough to watch at times this season, but so goes the life of a program that starts 8-1 before winning just five more games over a three-month span. I think Hurley deserves the opportunity to field a fully healthy team and earn a contract extension during a time where loyalty feels like it’s often forgotten about in college sports.

Take a Deeper Dive: Anthony, Erik and Kyle ​sound off on the bitter end​ to the Sun Devils’ season.

Cardinals Continue Free Agency Splash

How refreshing has this free agency period been from the Cards? We’re only two days in, and Arizona built on the momentum from a productive first day by adding several more key pieces for the 2025 season.

• WR Zay Jones: Jones was suspended for the first five games of the season and caught just eight passes among the rest, but his familiarity with the system will go a long way.
• QB Jacoby Brissett: Arizona brought in the veteran quarterback to back up Kyler Murray, reuniting with Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing, both of which he has previously played for on other teams.

Keep up with all the moves with our ​free agency tracker​!

Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley

No Ground Gained: The Roadrunners lost to Ontario 4-2 last night, missing a chance to move further ahead in the AHL Playoff race since Bakersfield lost, as well. Tucson remains two points ahead of the Condors for the final postseason spot in the Pacific Division, but Bakersfield has two games in hand.

Pot ‘O Gold: ASU men’s hockey standout Cullen Potter was selected to the NCHC All-Rookie team, one of seven student-athletes to earn the honor. The NHL Draft-eligible freshman had three multi-goal games this season, and finished the regular season with 13 goals and eight assists in 32 games.

These Cats Can Coach: The Arizona football team added two new coaches to its staff on Tuesday: Craig Naiver and Josh Bringuel. Naiver was added as special teams coordinator after time spent at both Coastal Carolina, SMU and USC while Bringuel will serve as linebackers coach following time with Florida State, Nebraska and Syracuse.

🧢 Tip of the Hat

Our friend Craig calls it like he sees it.