Things took a dramatic turn in the Grand Canyon State at the end of the Arizona-Arizona State game on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.
With 30.7 seconds left in the second half of the intrastate rivalry matchup, which saw Arizona win 81-72, Wildcats guard Caleb Love and Sun Devils guard BJ Freeman were both ejected after the latter head-butted his Arizona counterpart.
Love exchanged words with Freeman near the basket while Arizona State controlled the ball in the waning seconds, with Freeman then head-butting Love.
Caleb Love has been ejected after a confrontation with Arizona State's BJ Freeman. pic.twitter.com/sQx2iMjblB
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 1, 2025
Love had to be held back by teammate Carter Bryant before being tossed from the game.
After a review, officials gave Freeman a tech and an ejection for the head-butting.
Things got heated at the end of Arizona’s 81-72 win over Arizona State on Feb. 1, 2025. @CBSSportsCBB/XOnce the game ended, ASU head coach Bobby Hurley told his players to leave the court, skipping the postgame handshake line.
“Right near our bench, it was relentless, constant chatter from a couple of Arizona’s players that wasn’t being policed properly,” Hurley told reporters after the game. “Of course, they’re going to be happy with winning, but it was done with no class, in my opinion.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd was in agreement with Hurley and also pulled his players from the court.
Things got heated at the end of the Arizona State-Arizona game on Saturday. @CBSSportsCBB/XNevertheless, he took a much softer approach after the game.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing, probably on all sides,” Lloyd said, according to ESPN. “When tough things happen, we want to be a program that responds with class, and I don’t know if we did or didn’t. But it was a tough moment in an emotional game. I’ve got a lot of respect for Bobby and Arizona State’s players.”
The technical fouls issued to Love and Freeman were a part of four total techs handed out by officials during Saturday’s battle.
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
C.J. Freeman reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during the first half. Getty ImagesHurley was hit with a technical midway through the first half for arguing with referees over a foul called on Sun Devils guard Adam Miller.
The irate coach even ripped his tie off in the process.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley was also issued a technical late in the first half for staring down the ASU bench following a layup that tied the game.
Love drives to the basket against Alston Mason of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half. Getty ImagesArizona would later pull away with the lead in the second half to win by nine.
The two face off again on March 4 in Tucson.
