Randy Bennett is officially walking into a tough situation at Arizona State. The Big 12 media just dropped their preseason poll for the 2026-27 season, and they didn’t hold back, picking the Sun Devils to finish a dismal 12th out of 16 teams in the conference.
The Weight of Low Expectations
Think about that for a second. Twelfth place. After three straight seasons of missing the NCAA Tournament entirely, and a shocking 12 years without even making it past the first round of the Big Dance, the expectations are clearly subterranean. It’s rough, man. You’d think with a new coach, there’d be some kind of fresh slate, but the media isn’t buying it. This isn’t just a casual prediction, it’s a loud statement on where they think ASU stands right now.
Bennett’s Uphill Climb
Now, Bennett isn’t some rookie coach stumbling into the spotlight. This guy knows how to win. He led the Saint Mary’s Gaels to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. That’s *five straight*, people! And out of those five trips, his teams actually got past the first round three times. That’s a solid resume, proving he can build and sustain success. But going from a consistent NCAA contender to a team picked 12th in a 16-team conference, that’s a whole different beast. He’s got his work cut out for him, no doubt.
So, Randy Bennett’s got the media’s attention, even if it’s for all the wrong reasons. The season hasn’t even tipped off, but the narrative is already set: ASU is expected to struggle. Can Bennett, with his proven track record, defy the preseason doubts and get the Sun Devils playing competitive basketball again? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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