Bobby Hurley Pulls Team After Heated Incident

Bobby Hurley, Arizona State's head coach, opted to pull his players from the court with 30 seconds left in their game against Arizona, foregoing the traditional postgame handshake. This decision followed a heated game marked by constant trash-talking, which Hurley felt was not adequately controlled by officials. The tension culminated in a physical altercation where Arizona State's BJ Freeman headbutted Arizona's Caleb Love, leading to both players' ejections. Hurley cited the need to prevent further incidents as his reason for the withdrawal, emphasizing that the Wildcats' players' behavior was classless. The game ended with Arizona's 81-72 victory, and despite initial cordiality, postgame sentiments were strained between Hurley and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd. The rivalry is set to continue with a rematch on March 4.