
Big 12 basketball is entering a new era as Arizona State hires Randy Bennett and Cincinnati lands Jared Calhoun. Can these coaching moves elevate their programs into national contenders? Leif Thulin and Parker Ainsworth spotlight Bennett’s defensive, slow-paced style and his proven tournament pedigree from St. Mary’s, while questioning whether Calhoun’s youth and innovative X’s and O’s at Utah State could make him the conference’s biggest game-changer. The episode explores how these hires reshape recruiting battles, conference dynamics, and the evolving strategies of powerhouse teams like Houston and Arizona. With analysis of the rising emphasis on gritty, defense-first basketball and how established coaches like Kelvin Sampson, Tommy Lloyd, and Jamie Dixon stack up against newcomers, the conversation raises pressing questions: Is the Big 12 now the toughest coaching gauntlet in college hoops? How will Arizona State and Cincinnati’s culture shift impact the league’s path to March ...
Loading summary