Randy Bennett reflects on saying goodbye to Saint Mary's and hello to Arizona State

Jon Rothstein sits down with Arizona State's new head coach Randy Bennett. Randy explains why this was the right time to say yes to Arizona State, saying goodbye to Saint Mary's and what needs to be done to compete at a high level in Tempe. (0:00) Intro + Randy Bennett joins the show! (1:15) Would you leave Saint Mary’s for anywhere other than ASU? (1:30) When the Arizona State job felt like a possibility (3:25) Did losing Gonzaga to the Pac 12 impact the decision? (4:20) Advice to the incoming Saint Mary’s head coach (5:15) Would you ever go play at Saint Mary’s? (5:45) What was it like to finally say goodbye after 25 years? (7:05) Retaining talent in this climate at Saint Mary’s (9:00) Who taught Randy Bennett how to evaluate players (11:00) Getting Arizona State to the NCAA tournament every year (12:20) The realities of scheduling at a mid-major vs. high-major (14:20) Getting a high-major opportunity is a chance to go against the biggest coaches in the sport (16:35) Transfer portal vs. high school recruiting (19:00) Upgrades needed to get Arizona State in the top 25 consistently (20:45) First impressions of the roster (23:50) Coaching against Arizona for the first time (25:00) Randy’s coaching tree (26:40) One win and one loss that stick with Randy (29:15) Getting Arizona State to the tournament in year one #CollegeBasketball #CBB #NCAA #BigTen #SEC #ACC #EyeOnCollegeBasketball #JonRothstein #RandyBennett #ArizonaState #SaintMarys #Big12 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live • Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider 🎧 LISTEN • Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T?si=b4e091007c2545c6 • Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565 • Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18 • Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867 📱FOLLOW • Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en ▶︎Gary Parrish: https://twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS ▶︎Matt Norlander: https://twitter.com/MattNorlander ▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein 📖 READ • More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ 🛍️SUPPORT • Shop our merch: https://www.paramountshop.com/collections/eye-on-college-basketball 💵BETTING • For everything CBS Sports Betting: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/ • Find the best sportsbooks: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/best-betting-apps/ • Get the latest sportsbook promos: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/ 🎙ABOUT EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL CBS Sports’ official college basketball podcast is the most entertaining and informative of its kind. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander bring the sport into your ears at least three times per week with commentary, reporting, insider information and statistical analysis throughout college basketball all year long. 🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices