Baylor Bears
Last week wasn’t a good one for the Baylor Bears, but we have no reservations including them in our list as one of the teams that can cut down the nets. 20-8 entering a huge showdown with Texas on February 25, Baylor needs its defense to rebound from a pitiful two-game showing last week. The Bears appeared to be on their way to a massive victory in Lawrence over the defending champions — building a 17-point lead early on and taking a 13-point advantage into halftime.
However, Kansas torched Baylor for 55 points after the break en route to an easy win. Baylor dropped its next game at Kansas State, as well. Regardless of the two defeats, the Bears remain one of the nation’s most dangerous teams. The 2021 champs have one of the best backcourts — Keyonte George, Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer — an elite coach in Scott Drew, and the experience necessary to win it all.
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UConn Huskies
Which version of UConn is going to show up in March? The team that beat Alabama by 15 points en route to a 14-0 start to the season? Or, the one that subsequently went 2-6 over its next eight games? All season long, the Huskies have been regarded as one of the top teams in the country. Recently, they have walloped two ranked teams in Big East play — Marquette (87-72) and Providence (87-69). Adama Sanogo is one of the best players in D1. Entering the final week of February, the big man is averaging 16.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG. The Huskies have shooters, a dominant big man, and have proven they can beat top contenders (Alabama, Marquette).
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Virginia Cavaliers
Don’t sleep on the Cavaliers. This may not be Tony Bennett’s best group in Charlottesville, but it’s an experienced bunch who knows how to play together, and thus have won a ton of games. Nobody exemplifies Virginia basketball better than senior point guard Kihei Clark. The LA native helps orchestrate the offense and sets the tone with his aggressive defensive mindset. However, what has made Virginia into a top-10 group this year is the development of guys like Armaan Franklin, Jayden Gardner and Reece Beekman. All three wings boast size and the ability to score — which are understandably useful traits for postseason play.
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Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers are on their way to the tournament for a second year in a row, and are looking to make it pas the first weekend for the first time since 2016. Star player Trayce Jackson-Davis is a favorite to make the All-American team, and he really makes this squad go. Any team playing against Indiana will need a strategy to keep the big man off the glass and prevent him from scoring easy buckets. Easier said than done, as Jackson-Davis is surrounded by a bevy of high-level shooters who can make defenses pay for collapsing.
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Alabama Crimson Tide
As it currently stands, Alabama looks to be a favorite to lock down a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. For that reason alone, they must be considered a potential title winner given they would have the easiest path to Houston. With that said, there is currently a dark cloud around this program. Though star player Brandon Miller hasn’t been formally charged with any crime, his involvement in the Jamea Harris murder case is both disturbing and troubling. The program is allowing Miller to play, for now.
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Marquette Golden Eagles
Shaka Smart has done it again. The former VCU coach has brought up the level of expectations for a middling program. Except, instead of playing suffocating full-court defense with ball-hawking guards, the Marquette Golden Eagles are defined by their offensive ability. Sophomore guard Kam Jones is maybe the best second-year player in the country, and has taken a huge leap under Smart. Don’t get it twisted, though, as ball-handlers need to be on their toes against this team. The Golden Eagles average nearly 10 swipes per game.
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Kansas Jayhawks
Suddenly, the Jayhawks look like a serious threat to repeat as National Champions. Earlier this season, Kansas lost three-straight games to fellow Big 12 contenders — Kansas State, TCU, Baylor. Since then, the Jayhawks are 7-1 and have avenged all three losses. Last week, Kansas played a dominant second half to overcome a 13-point halftime against Baylor. Bill Self’s group has 14 Quadrant 1 wins — four more than Texas, the team with the second-most Q1 wins. It is hard to bet against this team as we approach March.
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Tennessee Volunteers
Factoring in recent results, some people may be counting out Tennessee as a National Championship contender. However, we are not at that point just yet. As we approach March, the Volunteers are No. 2 in points allowed (57.1) trailing only Houston. While we continue to have faith in Tennessee’s defense, its offense is not as reliable. The Vols currently rank 183rd in PPG, sandwiched by the likes of Vanderbilt and New Orleans. Tennessee has knocked off top teams such as Alabama, Kansas and Texas, but has also dropped games to other non-tournament teams (Florida, Colorado, Vanderbilt). If the offense clicks, the Vols can make a run.
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Gonzaga Bulldogs
Until Gonzaga wins it all, it will continued to be counted out by a ton of people simply due to the fact that it doesn’t play in a Power 5 conference. Despite the notion that they’re overrated, the Zags have reached two National Championships in recent years. This year’s team is certainly weaker than previous squads, but that doesn’t mean Mark Few’s group can’t contend for a title. Drew Timme is an All-American averaging 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Three main rotation players (Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton, Malachi Smith) are shooting above 40-percent from beyond the arc. In non-conference play, the Zags lost to Purdue, Texas and Baylor (64-63) — but beat Alabama and Kentucky. Additionally, the Zags lead the nation in PPG (87.5) and FG% (52.5).
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Big Names, Fringe Contenders, Little Hope
This slide might ruffle some feathers. Here are some teams that have either a lot of talent, a high ranking, huge expectations, or pedigree — and some a combination of a few of those things — that will NOT win the National Championship this year. North Carolina, the preseason No. 1, is in trouble of missing the tournament. The Tar Heels are currently 9-8 in the ACC and have lost 5-of-7. Duke is better, but hasn’t proved it can beat elite teams — the Blue Devils will fall short. Providence, Northwestern, and Iowa St. are all currently ranked…but you can cross them off your list of potential champs.
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Arizona Wildcats
Barring more than two losses to close out the regular season, Arizona is likely headed towards a No. 2 seed — or a No. 1 if things break right. The Wildcats have five strong wins on their resume, including wins over UCLA, Tennessee, and Indiana. In addition to being an above-average team on the break, the Cats have two forces in the post when the offense slows down. Azuolas Tubelis is averaging 19.6 points and 9.1 boards per game, while center Oumar Ballo is chipping in 14.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 1.4 blocks per game. Arizona is capable of beating any team in the country, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pac-12 contender playing in the Final Four.
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Texas Longhorns
It seemed like the Longhorns’ season was going downhill after coach Chris Beard was arrested and later fired. With Rodney Terry taking over, Texas has remained afloat in a competitive Big 12 with wins over Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and TCU. This team loves to get up and down the floor and bomb threes. Marcus Carr (39-percent) and Sir’Jabari Rice (37-percent) are two of the most lethal three-point shooters in the country. These players are competing for their new coach, and have put themselves in position to lock down a 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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Houston Cougars
Two slides ago we discussed Arizona, and now we will look at the team who knocked the No. 1 seed out of last year’s tournament: Houston. Arguably the favorite to win it all, Houston is great on both ends of the floor. The Cougars allow the fewest points per game in the country — surrendering a miniscule 55.9 PPG — and score over 76 per contest. The Cougars clean up the glass, force a ton of turnovers, and have star upperclassmen and stud freshmen. Guard Marcus Sasser has the capability of taking over any game he plays in. Quite simply, the Cougars may be the least-flawed team in the country. It will take a lot to knock them out in March.
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UCLA Bruins
There’s no doubt the Bruins are contenders to win the National Title. This is a group under coach Mick Cronin which has gone deep into the postseason two years in a row. Led by arguably the best upperclassmen combo in the country — Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell — the Bruins are talented, experienced, and have what it takes to win big games. It’s going to come down to a matter of how the other players — namely freshmen Amari Bailey and Adem Bona — respond to lofty expectations. If the Bruins can knock down their perimeter shots, this will be a tough team to beat.
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Purdue Boilermakers
Zach Edey, the man pictured above, is a lock to win National Player of the Year. That seems like a good sign for a team’s chances come March. At 7-foot-4, Edey is easily the most dominant player in the country. In 31.4 minutes, Edey is averaging 22.1 points, 12.7 boards and 2.4 blocks per game. Outside of Edey, Purdue puts a ton of onus on its two freshmen guards — Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith. The Boilermakers have wins over Gonzaga, Duke, and Marquette. One area of concern, the team has lost its last three road games (Indiana, Northwestern, Maryland). Will they be able to stand up to the pressures of March?
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Kentucky Wildcats
Are the Kentucky Wildcats poised for a deep run in March? It didn’t happen last year, as John Calipari and his team were beaten in their first game against an underdog Saint Peter’s team. While the Wildcats struggled out of conference, they seem to be peaking at the most opportune time. Sweeping Tennessee is certainly nothing to scoff at, as the reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe was dominant in both outings. Freshman guard Cason Wallace is the type of microwave guard who could breakout in March.
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Miami Hurricanes
In what seems like another down year for the ACC, there’s a case to be made that the Hurricanes are the best of the bunch. Jim Larranaga’s group is coming off an Elite Eight finish, and brought back several key players from last year’s team. Miami’s cavalry of guards can keep pace with any opponent. Also, junior scorer Isaiah Wong has the ability to heat up in an instant and take over an entire game. Already battle-tested and featuring plenty of scoring options, Miami cannot be taken lightly as March approaches.
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Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays are beginning to turn the corner after a disastrous start. After adding South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman in the offseason, Creighton was looked as a favorite in the Big East. However, things were looking bleak when the Bluejays dropped six in a row in early December. This is a group which lacks depth, but ultimately has one of the best starting lineups in college basketball. Led by sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard and towering big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Bluejays have the talent to compete with any team in the country.
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TCU Horned Frogs
We were incredibly close to adding TCU to the slide which contained Duke and North Carolina. You know, the one that deemed a handful of teams as non-contenders for the title. The Horned Frogs are currently 18-10, but are 2-6 over their last eight as of this writing. It is important to note, however, that star Mike Miles Jr. was hurt for four of the losses — three of which were against ranked opponents. Earlier this season, TCU beat Kansas (on the road) by 23. When fully healthy, the Horned Frogs can cause some damage.
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Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats didn’t enter the season with much hype, but are proving to be contenders in the rugged Big 12. Any team that can take down Baylor and Iowa State in back-to-back matchups is capable of reeling off several wins in a row in March. It’s a physical bunch of players corralled by coach Jerome Tang. Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson is a physical specimen who is having the best year of his collegiate career for K-State. The senior staying healthy will be incredibly integral for the Wildcats’ success moving forward.
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Xavier Musketeers
The Big East has been one of the most competitive conference’s in the country this year. The top of the conference has five teams who can all make a run in March. Entering the final week of February, Xavier sits 2.0 GB of Marquette atop the conference. The Musketeers have eight losses, but that doesn’t tell the full story. Let’s take a look at the margin of defeat in seven of the contests. 81-79 (Indiana), 71-64 (Duke), 88-84 (Gonzaga), 73-72 (DePaul, bad loss), 69-67 (Butler, bad loss), 69-68 (Marquette), 64-63 (Villanova). Xavier relies heavily on its starting five — all five players average double-figures — so its depth may be tested come March.
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San Diego State Aztecs
Don’t sleep on the Aztecs. While it is a different team in 2023, SDSU was ranked No. 6 in the nation back in 2020 when Covid forced the cancellation of March Madness right before the tournament began. This year, the Aztecs are ranked No. 22 and are a team nobody will be excited to face in the tourney. SDSU has lost five games thus far, two of which came against current top-15 teams (Arizona, St. Mary’s) and a third was against then-No. 9 Arkansas. The Aztecs are a deep, balanced team — 10 players average at least 10 minutes per game, and eight score between 6.7-13.0 PPG. Don’t be shocked if this team takes out some bigger name programs in the tournament.
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Texas A&M Aggies
It could be setting up for Texas A&M to be the strongest team to come out of the SEC. It’s been a strong start to 2023 for the Aggies who have been mostly dominant in conference play. While they’re a fairly balanced club — Texas A&M ranks as a top-50 offense and defense per Kenpom — it’s the guard play which really sets this team part. The Aggies are led by Texas native Wade Taylor IV and former Virginia Tech transfer Tyrece Radford. Both guards can penetrate and kick, giving the Aggies two strong options to attack opposing defenses.
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St. Mary’s Gaels
The Gaels of St. Mary’s might be the team to beat in the WCC this year. A conference typically dominated by the Zags, the tide seems to turning in ’23. St. Mary’s took down the Bulldogs for the second time in their last three matchups, fending off Drew Timme and company in an overtime thriller. The Gaels have always been a stout defensive club under coach Randy Bennett, but the offense is coming along better than ever. That is thanks in large part to freshman guard Aiden Mahaney, who has scored in double-digits in all but one game since the calendar has turned.
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Ranking The Top 25 CBB Head Coaches
25. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
Just one year in, and we’re already ranking Tommy Lloyd among the best coaches in college basketball. Following in the footsteps of Sean Miller’s success at Arizona was no easy task. But, Lloyd immediately took to his new role and has the Wildcats as one of the preeminent powers out West. In just his first season as head coach, Lloyd led Arizona to a 33-4 record and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Lloyd’s offensive game plan has been among the country’s best, as Arizona’s up-tempo attack has caused consistent problems for opponents.
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24. Hubert Davis, North Carolina
Another entrant with just one year of head coaching experience. This list would not be complete without the inclusion of Hubert Davis, who in his first year with North Carolina led the Tar Heels to the National Championship game — and was just a a handful of plays from capturing the championship instead of the Jayhawks. Of course, the Tar Heels came up short — fumbling a sizable lead in the process — but their run through the NCAA’s was mightily impressive. Davis took over for three-time NCAA champion Roy Williams. Safe to say, Davis’ coaching acumen has made the transition a seamless one.
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23. Shaka Smart, Marquette
It didn’t take long for Shaka Smart to reestablish himself at Marquette. After a “disappointing” tenure with the Longhorns, Smart is back to doing what he does best — getting the most out of an underdog program. While Marquette had enjoyed previous success under Tom Crean and Buzz Williams, this is a program that had just two NCAA tournament appearances in the previous eight seasons. In just one year patrolling the sidelines, Smart led his new team to a 19-13 record and a 9-seed in the East region.
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22. Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Porter Moser is a name to watch among coaches who could ascend the ranks over the coming years. The Creighton grad got his first head coaching gig with Little Rock back in ’00, but didn’t gain national attention until a memorable run with Loyola-Chicago. As the Ramblers’ head coach, Moser led Loyola-Chicago to a Final Four appearance in 2018 — getting the best of John Beilein (Michigan), Jamie Dixon (Kansas State), Eric Musselman (Nevada), Rick Barnes (Tennessee), and Jim Larranaga (Miami) as the Ramblers were the ultimate victors in the South region. In his first year at Oklahoma, Moser led a gutted Sooner team to 19 wins in the toughest conference in the country.
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21. Juwan Howard, Michigan
Look for Howard’s name to continuously come up as it pertains to coaches who could jump to the NBA ranks. A former NBA All-Star and two-time champion, Howard is revered for his ability to connect with his players and get the best out of his group. He’s already been reportedly considered for some NBA jobs, though he seemingly has no reason to leave his alma mater just yet. Howard has led the Wolverines to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, and was named AP Coach of the Year following the 2021 season.
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20. Leonard Hamilton, Florida State
Hamilton is accomplished at both the collegiate and NBA level. The Florida State head coach began his career at Oklahoma State before landing the job at Miami. Following a quick stint with the Washington Wizards of the NBA, Hamilton returned to the collegiate ranks by agreeing to take the head coaching spot at Florida State. That’s where he has resided since 2002. Hamilton has collected over 400 wins with the ‘Noles, and has been named ACC Coach of the Year on three occasions.
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19. Nate Oats, Alabama
Oats has helped make Alabama basketball relevant during his three seasons at the football-centric school. The attitude and culture of the program has gone from being content with posting a winning record to expecting to challenge for an SEC title — as well as making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. After winning 26 games in 2020-21, the Tide have taken several body blows this season. But, Oats has them standing tall and poised for some tournament success. His talent in recruiting will take the Crimson Tide a long way.
Oats has been excellent at recruiting and finding players who can best run his system. He formerly built up Buffalo’s program into relevance, and is now doing the same with the Crimson Tide. The current roster is the best in Oats’ tenure as Alabama is expected to compete deep into March this season.
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18. Ed Cooley, Providence
Ed Cooley doesn’t have the most sterling coaching record when compared to his peers. He has yet to make a Final Four, and the Friars missed the NCAA Tournament in both ’21 and ’19. However, Cooley must be credited for his work considering that Providence is not exactly a desirable job. Cooley has been at his current post since 2011, sporting a .617 winning percentage in the rugged Big East. The Friars won the Big East title last year ahead of Villanova, UConn and others, and will look to do it again this season.
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17. Rick Barnes, Tennessee
Rick Barnes has been a staple in the college basketball world for over 40 years. Barnes segued a solid stint with Clemson into a high-profile job with the Texans Longhorns. Barnes was excellent in Austin, leading the Longhorns to the NCAA tournament in 16 out of 17 seasons with one Final Four appearance. It took some time for him to get acclimated at Tennessee, but the Volunteers have seemingly hit their groove in recent years. One thing is for certain with Barnes-led teams — they will play their hearts out and compete on every possession on the defensive end.
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16. Dana Altman, Oregon
Dana Altman gained notoriety while at Creighton, but he really cemented himself as one of the game’s best during this decade-long run at Oregon. Whether equipped with fifth-year seniors or one-and-done prospects, Altman has continuously kept the Ducks afloat in the Pac-12. He has been one of the very best at navigating the transfer portal and recruiting outside of the country. In just the last ten years, the Ducks have a Final Four, an Elite Eight, and two Sweet Sixteen appearances. Oregon has made the tournament seven times since 2013 and have never lost its first NCAA Tournament game under Altman.
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15. Bob Huggins, West Virginia
Bob Huggins is one of the most difficult coaches to rank on this list. He is simply one of the most accomplished coaches in the country. Huggins has won over 850 games in his career — putting him 8th all-time. He’s revered for suffocating defensive adjustments and his ability to mold less-desirable recruits into stars. While his resume speaks for itself, Huggins and the Mountaineers have hit a bit of a lull recently. Even with the 2020 cancellation considered, West Virginia has missed the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons. They’ve won over 20 games just once since 2019. Last year, West Virginia won just four games in the Big 12. Could the game be passing Huggins by? It’s certainly possible, and a major reason why we have him ranked at No. 15 rather than a top-10 spot.
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14. Eric Musselman, Arkansas
A maestro of the transfer portal, Eric Musselman has made a serious impact for two programs since becoming a collegiate coach. After NBA teams stopped calling, Musselman took on an assistant job at Arizona State. Three years later, Musselman landed his first NCAA head coaching job with the Nevada Wolfpack and found immediate success. In four years at Nevada, Musselman won 110 games and rattled off three-straight MWC conference titles on the way out. In just four years with the Razorbacks, Musselman has built an otherwise overlooked program into a strong member of the SEC.
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13. Sean Miller, Xavier
Sean Miller’s return to Xavier is off to a roaring start. Following the tumultuous end to his tenure at Arizona, Miller took the 2022 season off before signing on with the Musketeers prior to the 2023 season. Miller had previously coached Xavier from ’04-’09 (and was with Arizona from ’09-’21). The Musketeers advanced to the NCAA tournament in each of Miller’s last four seasons with the club — reaching an Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen in the final two years — and look to be returning to the tourney this season. Miller has energized the program into top-15 status as Xavier looks to make its first tournament bid as a program since 2018.
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12. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Some might be turned away by Bruce Pearl’s enigmatic personality. The Auburn coach wears his emotions on his sleeves, and isn’t afraid to show it. Additionally, he’s broken a recruiting rule (or several) during his time. That being said, there’s no arguing with the results. Pearl’s Tigers were a boneheaded late-game foul away from reaching the title game in 2019. Auburn was ranked as high as No. 1 last season, and ended the year with 28 wins. Auburn has won over 25 games in four of the last five seasons. Though he lost two NBA stars in Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler this past season, Pearl once again has the Tigers competing for an SEC crown.
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11. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
Much like West Virginia, Syracuse has hit a snag in recent years. A 16-17 record last season marked the first time since 2015 (not including 2020) that the Orange missed the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse has just two 20-win seasons over that span and have still yet to win an ACC title. Boeheim has been called “rigid” for his inability (or unwillingness) to deviate from his core philosophies (i.e., the “zone”). With all that said, Boeheim has reached the mountain top before (in ’03), and has had two Final Four appearance in the last ten years. While the Orange are no longer a national contender, Boeheim is a brilliant coach who has earned a ton of respect over his lengthy career.
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10. Matt Painter, Purdue
One of the bright offensive minds in the country, Matt Painter has been a stalwart in the Purdue program. Through highs and lows, Painter has been consistent in his ability to create schemes and rotations based on his personnel. When he’s had a talented roster, Purdue has been a Big Ten powerhouse. Since taking over in ’05, Painter has won 67.6-percent of his games and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament 13 times. Though he has yet to reach a Final Four, 2023 could be the season Painter and the Boilermakers finally get over the hump.
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9. Kelvin Sampson, Houston
If he wasn’t already, Kelvin Sampson’s current run with Houston has cemented him as one of the very best coaches in the country. Sampson was lights out at his previous stops. While at Oklahoma, Sampson led the Sooners to NCAA Tournament appearances in 11-of-12 years including a Final Four visit in 2002. Following a short stint at Indiana — where he won 43-of-58 games — Sampson moved onto the NBA where he resided as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets. Sampson returned to the collegiate ranks in 2014, taking over the Houston program. Houston has won at least 20 games seven years in a row and have made runs to the Final Four and Elite Eight in each of the last two seasons. Currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, Houston is hoping to make it three deep runs in a row in ’23.
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8. Mick Cronin, UCLA
Three seasons into his UCLA coaching tenure, Cronin had the Bruins in the Final Four. It appears the pride is back in Westwood, which is always a good thing for college basketball. Cronin has won more than 400 games in 20 seasons spanning three schools (Murray State and Cincinnati). His teams almost always get better as the year wears on, giving Cronin the opportunity to imprint his philosophy over the course of a season. He’s a basketball lifer, has great knowledge of the game, and continues to get the most out of his players.
Just two years into his tenure at UCLA, Cronin led the Bruins back to the Final Four. The diminutive strategist has restored one of the most storied programs in all of college basketball. Since starting his career in ’03, Cronin has won over 450 games at a near 70-percent clip. He built a consistent winner at Cincinnati with mid-tier recruits. Now at a program that has never had trouble recruiting, Cronin could be on the cusp of building a national juggernaut.
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7. Rick Pitino, Iona
Make no mistake about it, Rick Pitino is a marvelous college basketball coach. Having won big at Providence, Kentucky and Louisville, there aren’t many active coaches who boast a resume on the level of Pitino’s. Following a brief hiatus due to scandals while at Louisville, Pitino returned to coaching in 2020 after taking the job at Iona. A consistent threat in the MAAC, Iona reached the NCAA Tournament in Pitino’s first year and won 25 games in his second season. It probably won’t be long until a big program takes a chance on the accomplished coach. And, Pitino will likely jump at the chance to collect his eighth Final Four appearance.
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6. John Calipari, Kentucky
It’s easy to call out Calipari for somewhat of a shady past when it comes to recruiting. He’s a champion of the one-and-done approach to recruiting. There is nobody in college basketball more adept at acquiring top talent than Calipari. The Kentucky coach also believes his job is to prepare elite collegiate players to excel at the pro level. Though that has come back to bite him on several occasions as Kentucky’s lack of cohesion has cost them games in the past, there’s no denying Cal’s results. In his career, Calipari has amassed more than 800 career wins, coached in six Final Fours (with three different schools), and won six SEC regular season titles. After a down 2021 campaign, the Wildcats immediately bounced back with a 26-win season a year ago.
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5. Scott Drew, Baylor
Scott Drew took a floundering Baylor program in 2003 and has built them into a yearly contender in the deepest conference in college basketball. Drew’s crowning achievement occurred in 2021, when the Baylor Bears captured the NCAA title in a beatdown of the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs. Baylor has won at least 26 games three years in a row, and have reached the tournament seven of the last eight years. Now that the Bears have established themselves on the national radar, Drew will continue to land big recruits — such as Kendall Brown and Keyonte George — for years to come.
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4. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Let’s not let a couple of “down years” for Sparty cloud our judgment of Tom Izzo’s legacy. Despite rather pedestrian performances in each of the last two years, Michigan State has been a consistent threat on the national scale ever since Izzo took over. The Spartans have not missed the NCAA Tournament (other than in 2020) since 1997 — 24-straight seasons. During that time, Izzo had led his club to seven Final Four appearances including a title win in 2000. The most recent Final Four team (2019) boasted no players who are currently earning significant minutes in the NBA. Izzo has done it time and time again with every type of roster imaginable. We’re not sure how much longer Izzo will man the sideline, but the hunger still appears to be there and fans continue to enjoy watching him.
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3. Mark Few, Gonzaga
The Zags are still searching for that elusive national championship, but Few remains the right man to guide them to the promised land. Since Few took over the Gonzaga program in 1999-2000, only Kansas has won more games than the Bulldogs during that span. Gonzaga has never won fewer than 23 games in any of Few’s seasons, and he’s produced some of the top players in the college game. Now, all he’s missing is that national championship, though two title game appearances since 2017 is nothing to scoff at.
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2. Tony Bennett, Virginia
Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers finally got over the hump in 2019. A year after being bested by the 16-seed UMBC Retrievers, Virginia pulled off the ultimate “comeback” title run. It was a culmination for the program as a whole which had been on the cusp of ultimate success for a number of years. What Bennett has been able to accomplish in Charlottesville is nothing short of remarkable. Virginia has won five regular season titles since 2014 in a conference which includes Duke and North Carolina (among others). The Cavaliers narrowly missed the tournament last year, but look to be right back in the hunt in ’23.
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1. Bill Self, Kansas
With Mike Krzyzewski announcing his retirement, the spot for consensus No. 1 coach had been vacated. It was only fitting for Bill Self — who was already one of the most accomplished coaches in college basketball — to win the title during Coach K’s farewell season and cement himself as the new No. 1 (for now, at least). Self’s longevity and consistency sets him apart. He’s been able to adapt to the ebbs and flows of college basketball. Last year’s team was led by a slew of upperclassmen who have since moved onto the NBA, but the Jayhawks have been defined by their ability to retool and remain atop the Big 12. That doesn’t appear to be changing this year, or for as long as Self decides to remain in Lawrence.
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