Sun Devils debut first-ever “Mill Madness” Event

Even in just his second season as Arizona State’s men’s basketball coach, Bobby Hurley has shown he likes to do things a little bit differently.

While many college basketball programs prepare for their annual “Midnight Madness” event – a late-night preseason showcase of their program in front of their fans in their home arena -- Hurley and the Sun Devils, along with the women’s basketball program, took their preseason showcase outdoors to one of the most iconic locations in Tempe along Mill Avenue on Friday night.

Featuring a shiny new hardwood court in the midst of downtown Tempe, the first-ever “Mill Madness” event allowed Sun Devil fans their first live look at what their men’s and women’s basketball programs would look like this coming season.

It was an event years in the making, according to ASU associate athletic director Bill Kennedy. The plan, which first came up nearly a decade ago, was finally put into fruition after multiple attempts and through the support of the ASU planning and activities board and the city of Tempe.

“I woke up this morning so excited that it was actually going to happen,” Kennedy said. “I think it’s tremendously unique, and I think it’s something that puts a focus on us and our teams where it otherwise wouldn’t….If we were just having a scrimmage at Wells Fargo, nobody would be talking about it. It’s been amazing. The amount of talk about men’s and women’s basketball in October is just incredible.”

Hurley, no stranger to the preseason festivities while a two-time NCAA national champion and the all-time assists leader as a player at Duke, was impressed by the inaugural event.

“The guys are thrilled,” Hurley said when he arrived. “Beautiful weather, a good turnout, lively atmosphere, taking advantage of all that Tempe has to offer.

“I don’t know if it’s been done [outside] before, but I don’t remember. It’s a wonderful idea. I’m thrilled with what it looks like right now, and I know our players are really looking forward to it. I mean, it’s outstanding. What a commitment our administration has made. It’s great for the students. We’ve got a great turnout here with students, and it’s just a great way to incorporate the good things we have here on campus.”

The men, coming off a 15-17 first season under Hurley, are looking to be one of the Pac-12’s most improved teams with the additions of transfer Shannon Evans and freshman Sam Cunliffe. The women are coming off a co-conference championship under the leadership of Charli Turner Thorne, looking to make the most of the youth that makes up their current roster.

After receiving a police escort to their new court, the Sun Devils debuted a unique event that featured a “Sun Devil Shooutout,” a 3-point shooting contest and a slam dunk competition.

Hurley was excited to see what his team could bring to the events, two of which would see his players intermingling with the women’s team.

“I think you’ll see why I think we can be a great 3-point shooting team,” Hurley said. “I hope they show that in the 3-point shooting contest. I know we have a couple guys who can really leap. Sam Cunliffe and Torian Graham, these guys are going to put on a show tonight in the dunk contest. It’s going to be fun.”

ASU junior guard Austin Witherill led his two teammates to victory in the shootout, drilling a half-court shot to cap off the needed requirements of a layup, free throw and 3-pointer in addition to the heave.

Moments later, the Sun Devils’ 3-point shooting was on display, with the combination of Evans and women’s junior guard Courtney Ekmark combining for 31 points in one minute of play to outduel the combination of Cunliffe and freshman guard Reili Richardson by one.

Evans, who was forced to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules and averaged 15.4 points and 4.6 assists per game under Hurley at Buffalo in 2014-15, was making his first appearance in a Sun Devil uniform. The same was said for Cunliffe, a 4-star prospect who may be the biggest signee of Hurley’s tenure thus far.

Cunliffe’s impressive play led to another second-place finish, this time in the slam dunk competition. In his first round of dunks, Cunliffe attempted to complete a dunk while leaping from the free throw line, but narrowly missed. He would later scrap plans to unveil another signature dunk, a behind-the-back slam.

Torian Graham, who won last season’s dunk contest following a brief, poorly-attended scrimmage at Wells Fargo Arena, stepped up and sealed his second consecutive win with a 43-point windmill slam he dubbed the “Torian Special.”

"It feels good to be able to get it done because Sam [Cunliffe], he likes to talk junk so it feels good to get it done," Graham said.

The social media attention was exponentially larger in the Sun Devils’ new version of the preseason showcase, opening the door for future events like the one held Friday night.

“It’s just different, unique and setting ourselves apart from the competition,” Hurley said. “I think there're many ways we can continue to grow and build this over the years, but it’s a great starting point.”