It takes great talent and a heap of tenacity to advance into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament — and a touch of some coaching magic, too.
Alabama wouldn’t be here without Nate Oats’ run-and-fun style. Arkansas wouldn’t be in its position without John Calipari recruiting an athletic team and freeing them to play loose in the biggest moments. That goes ditto for Arizona (Tommy Lloyd) and Houston (Kelvin Sampson).
Which coaches, though — and let me cut right to the chase here — are the best? Not the most accomplished. Not the one whose team has the best résumé. Not the coach whose accrued the most Quad 1 wins. Just, subjectively, which is the best?
I set about to answer that question below accounting for expectations, consistency, character and of course, performance.
It should be noted that every coach on this list is among the best in the entire sport, and reaching the Sweet 16 is a monumental achievement that can’t be taken away. But just as one coach has to be No. 1, so too does one coach have to bring up the caboose.
Let’s get to the rankings.
1. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Judging by the talent on this Michigan State team (zero players on the All-Big Ten First and Second Teams) and its many accomplishments — a Big Ten title, 29 wins and a top-five defense to boot — Izzo is No. 1 ranking isn’t just coasting on his career longetivty and previous accomplishments. Although, he’s probably No. 1 in those departments, too. The Spartans have punched above their weight all season behind a depth and development. Their effort is backed by defensive efficiency and relentlessness on the offensive glass.
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