Arizona State Men’s Basketball: What Are The Expectations?

Arizona State men’s basketball enters the 2026–2027 season with an important opportunity to establish a new identity, become more competitive in the Big 12 Conference, and give Sun Devil fans a reason to believe the program can return to national prominence. With Randy Bennett taking over as head coach, the expectations are centered on building a disciplined, physical, and consistent basketball team capable of competing against some of the best programs in the country.

The road will not be easy. The Big 12 remains one of the toughest environments in college basketball, and Arizona State must prove it can compete night after night against teams with talented rosters, experienced coaches, and substantial resources. Still, there are reasons for optimism if Bennett can successfully transfer his coaching philosophy to Tempe.

Randy Bennett’s Influence Will Be the Biggest Story

The most important factor entering the season is Bennett’s leadership. After establishing a successful program at Saint Mary’s, Bennett arrives at Arizona State with a reputation for emphasizing defensive fundamentals, disciplined offense, rebounding, and team-oriented basketball.

Those principles could be exactly what the Sun Devils need. Arizona State has to become more consistent on both ends of the floor, particularly when facing elite conference opponents on the road.

Bennett’s challenge is to create a system that players understand and execute regardless of the opponent. Arizona State cannot afford to rely exclusively on individual scoring or stretches of hot shooting. Against Big 12 competition, defensive breakdowns and careless turnovers can quickly turn a competitive game into a double-digit loss.

Bennett’s actual impact will ultimately be measured by the team’s performance, but his experience building a sustainable program gives Arizona State a foundation on which to work.

As a guiding principle for this season, the message should be straightforward: defense, toughness, and unselfish basketball must become the team’s identity.

The Roster Must Develop Chemistry Quickly

Roster construction will be another major storyline. In today’s college basketball landscape, transfers, player retention, recruiting, and name, image, and likeness opportunities can dramatically reshape a team from one season to the next.

Arizona State needs a roster that combines experienced college players with younger athletes who possess the potential to develop into important contributors. Talent matters, but the ability to play together matters just as much.

The strongest reason for optimism is the talent Bennett has brought to Tempe. According to Sun Devil Athletics, the roster features several players with experience in Bennett’s system and others who bring valuable skills from different programs. 

One of the biggest names is Paulius Murauskas. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game at Saint Mary’s in 2025–2026, making him a potential centerpiece of Arizona State’s offense. Bennett described him as one of the most talented players he has coached, praising his unique skill set and work ethic.

Another important addition is Joel Foxwell, who earned First Team All-West Coast Conference recognition as a freshman at Portland. His ability to organize the offense and create scoring opportunities could be critical as the Sun Devils adjust to Bennett’s system.

Arizona State also added Emmanuel Innocenti for his defensive versatility. Bennett praised his physical, tenacious approach and ability to defend multiple positions. That flexibility could make Innocenti an important contributor against the Big 12’s talented perimeter players.

The frontcourt will feature another intriguing option in Ben Defty, who averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds at Boston University in 2025–2026. His size and interior scoring could give Arizona State a valuable alternative to Murauskas.

These additions give the Sun Devils several potential building blocks, although their collective success will depend on how quickly they develop chemistry.

Defense Will Determine the Sun Devils’ Ceiling

If Arizona State wants to surprise people in 2026–2027, defense must become a priority from the opening game.

The Big 12 presents a demanding schedule featuring teams capable of scoring inside, attacking the rim, and stretching defenses with perimeter shooting. The Sun Devils will need to communicate effectively, contest shots without fouling, and finish defensive possessions with rebounds.

A strong defensive identity can also help Arizona State when its offense struggles. Teams that defend consistently give themselves opportunities to win close games even when their jump shots are not falling.

Bennett’s teams have historically emphasized structure and execution. Arizona State should benefit if those characteristics translate into fewer unnecessary mistakes and better defensive positioning.

The Sun Devils also need to improve their transition defense. Giving opponents easy baskets after turnovers or missed shots is particularly dangerous against talented conference opponents.

If Arizona State can make opponents work for every possession, it will have a better chance of remaining competitive throughout the season.

The Big 12 Will Provide a Serious Test

The conference schedule will be one of the biggest obstacles facing Arizona State. The Big 12 offers little room for extended slumps, and winning on the road can be especially difficult.

The Sun Devils should measure progress by how they perform against the conference’s strongest programs, but they must also take care of business against opponents they can realistically beat.

Protecting home court will be essential. Arizona State needs to make games in Tempe uncomfortable for visiting teams by playing with energy, rebounding aggressively, and feeding off the support of its fans.

The team must also learn how to respond to adversity. Every season includes losing streaks, injuries, difficult travel, and nights when shots refuse to fall. A successful coaching staff helps players stay focused through those challenges rather than allowing one disappointing result to become several.

The Big 12 will reveal whether Arizona State is making genuine progress or still has significant work to do.

The Bottom Line

Arizona State has a credible opportunity to take a step forward under Bennett. The roster has scoring potential, the coaching staff has an established philosophy, and the program has reasons to believe it can become more competitive. The biggest question is whether those ingredients will translate into enough victories against the Big 12 to put the Sun Devils in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver

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