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Ex-WCC Foes Bennett & Lloyd Now Big 12 Coaches
1 Nov
Summary
- Bennett and Lloyd coached in the WCC for two decades.
- Both coaches share a history of competition and mutual respect.
- ASU faces Arizona in Big 12 play for the first time as head coaches.
The upcoming Big 12 men's basketball season marks a new chapter for coaches Randy Bennett and Tommy Lloyd, whose decades-long rivalry in the West Coast Conference now transitions to a new conference. Bennett, recently appointed as the head coach for Arizona State, previously led Saint Mary's for over two decades, frequently competing against Lloyd's Gonzaga teams under Mark Few.
Lloyd, who served as an assistant at Gonzaga before taking the Arizona job, expressed significant respect for Bennett, stating that their consistent battles in the WCC helped shape his coaching approach. He noted that the preparation for Saint Mary's games provided valuable lessons now applied broadly.
This season's matchups between Arizona State and Arizona will carry added significance, being the first time Bennett and Lloyd face off as head coaches in the Big 12. The rivalry is further deepened by personal connections within their coaching staffs and player relationships, adding layers of intrigue to their renewed competition.
