Arizona State's Current Tournament Path After Field Expansion

The Sun Devils are likely to benefit from a change to the structure of March Madness.

Randy Bennett answers questions during a news conference at the Weatherup Center in Tempe on May 7, 2026. | Mark Henle/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State men's basketball has struggled to gain traction over the last several seasons following a triumphant start to the Bobby Hurley era.

Coaching legend Randy Bennett is now tasked with expanding on the foundation that Hurley built, and taking the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

May 7, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils basketball head coach Randy Bennett (center) poses for a photo with athletic director Graham Rossini (left) and school president Dr. Michael Crow during an introductory press conference at the Weatherup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona State already has some favor in its hands by virtue of being a member of the Big 12, but a vote that officially expanded the tournament field to 76 teams further solidified the belief that it will be part of March Madness 10 months down the road.

Where Does Arizona State Stand in Projections?

ESPN bracket expert Joe Lunardi currently has the Sun Devils slotted as an 11-seed and a play-in squad. They would take on Clemson for the right to face 6-seed Nebraska in the round of 64, which would ironically lead to playing Mark Few, Massamba Diop, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the next round with another victory.

Feb 10, 2018; Moraga, CA, USA; Saint Mary s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett (left) greets Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few before a game at McKeon Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

The potential for a matchup of that magnitude shows just how far Bennett has taken the program in just a few weeks, as he has assembled an all-star coaching staff, a fundamentally sound roster, and positioned the Sun Devils to be a real threat in non-conference play with the addition of high-level talent.

How Arizona State Can Improve Tournament Stock

Arizona State would have reached the tournament this March had the change taken effect sooner, which should inherently mean that they already have an inside track to reaching that benchmark in 2027.

Forward Paulius Murauskas is the exact all-around star player that the Sun Devils desperately needed, as he ties the full roster together while also providing floor-raising capabilities.

Mar 18, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels forward Paulius Murauskas (23) shoots a free throws during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

There are several other means beyond Murauskas that could change ASU's fortunes over the next year. This includes rounding out the roster effectively, earning multiple Quad 1 victories in non-conference play to set the tone for Big 12 play, and helping newcomers such as Joel Foxwell make a swift transition from the mid-major to the high-major level.

The Big 12 is also in something of a limbo, as the flagship programs are being forced to essentially start fresh after mass departures from the most recent teams, while Cincinnati and Kansas State are also going through changes at head coach.

Jan 31, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels guard Dillan Shaw (11) walks back on defense against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images

Arizona State is uniquely positioned to finish in the middle quadrant of the Big 12, which would be probable to translate into a single-digit tournament seed as Selection Sunday approaches.