Randy Bennett in for a rude awakening with ASU basketball, per media

Arizona State basketball is expected to struggle in Randy Bennett’s first year as head coach.

The Big 12 media says so. In the Monster Energy Big 12 Men’s Basketball Media Preseason Poll, Big 12 media members picked the Sun Devils to rank just 12th out of 16 in the conference for the 2026-27 season.

This comes after a season where ASU went for a third straight campaign of not making the NCAA Tournament. They have not been past the first round of the NCAA Tournament in any of the previous 12 seasons.

Bennett comes into the fold after leading the Saint Mary’s Gaels to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. They made it out of the first round of those five NCAA Tournaments three times.

Emmanuel Innocenti during ASU’s practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

Paulius Murauskas dunks during ASU’s practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

Paulius Murauskas (center) during ASU’s practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

Joel Foxwell runs a drill during ASU’s practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

ASU men’s basketball coach Randy Bennett (center) talks with his team during practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

ASU men’s basketball coach Randy Bennett (right) with Dillan Shaw (left) during practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

ASU men’s basketball coach Randy Bennett (center) at the end of practice at the Weatherup Center in Tempe, Arizona, on June 30, 2026.

(Mark Henle/The Republic)

To make matters worse for ASU, the Arizona Wildcats rank No. 1 in the media poll. UA won the regular-season Big 12 championship and the Big 12 Tournament championship last season.

They bring in the No. 11 overall recruiting class from this cycle, after making it to the NCAA Tournament Final Four last season. The Wildcats have been to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament or better in each of the last three seasons.

Typically one of the most competitive conferences in basketball, eight of the 16 Big 12 teams made the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Monster Energy Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll also featured Arizona first and Arizona State 12th.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Randy Bennett in for a rude awakening with ASU basketball, per media

Source link

Spread the love