Arizona State Sun Devils basketball — program history
Arizona State's basketball program dates to 1909, and the Sun Devils have been a Pac-10/Pac-12/Big 12 member for decades. The program reached its peak under Ned Wulk in the 1960s-80s, making multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. ASU has produced NBA talents like James Harden, Byron Scott, and Fat Lever.
The name
The Sun Devils name was adopted in 1946, replacing 'Bulldogs,' inspired by the intense desert heat of Tempe, Arizona — students felt 'Sun Devils' better captured the fiery environment.
Signature moment
James Harden's dominant 2008-09 season, averaging 20.1 points per game and leading the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore before going third overall in the NBA Draft.
Desert Financial Arena (formerly Wells Fargo Arena) in Tempe is nicknamed 'The Madhouse on McAllister' by fans, and the student section is called the 'Curtain of Distraction,' featuring bizarre antics to distract opposing free throw shooters.
The Arizona State Sun Devils compete in the Big 12 and hold an all-time record of 1461–1305 (.528 winning percentage) across 114 recorded seasons dating back to 1911-12.
Season-by-season results
* Season vacated by the NCAA — absent from the official season table; record computed from the game log and not counted in official totals or rankings.
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