College Hoops Today

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Gonzaga’s Mark Few is the College Hoops Today National Coach of the Year

This is March!

That means it’s time for some end of season awards.

Check out below for an in-depth list of the top coaches in college basketball during the 20-21 season:

College Hoops Today National Coach of the Year

Mark Few, Gonzaga: There were many worthy candidates for this honor, but Gonzaga’s perfect 24-0 regular season takes Few to a different tier. He’s been to the NCAA Tournament every single year that he’s been a head coach and things are aligning for him to have his best run yet over the next few weeks. The Bulldogs are primed to be the top overall seed in the bracket on March 14th and have won 23 of their 24 games this season by double figures.

Other Finalists

Juwan Howard, Michigan: Howard quieted his doubters last season. This year, he completely silenced them. In just his second year as a head coach, this former member of the Fab Five has Michigan in position to earn a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993. That’s when Howard was a player himself. There’s not enough adjectives to describe the job this man has done thus far at his alma mater. 

Scott Drew, Baylor: If last year’s NCAA Tournament wasn’t cancelled, the Bears would be in position to be one of the event’s top four seeds for the second year in a row. That’s simply incredible. Baylor (19-1) won its first conference title in 71 years on Tuesday, but this program’s goals remain bigger. That’s because of Drew. He led Baylor to a pair of Elite Eight appearances in 2010 and 2012 — something more substantial feels like it’s on the horizon. 

Brad Underwood, Illinois: It was a flat out insult that Underwood wasn’t listed as a candidate for the Naismith Coach of the Year award. We won’t make that same mistake. Illinois (18-6) is in firm position to be a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament following Tuesday night’s massive win at Michigan. This is far and away the best team that the Illini have had since they lost to North Carolina in the 2005 national title game. A major reason for that is Underwood.

Kelvin Sampson, Houston: How many programs could lose their best player and their conference’s best player and still be in position to earn one of the top eight seeds in the NCAA Tournament? That’s what is currently happening at Houston. The Cougars haven’t missed a beat since Caleb Mills’ decision to transfer in the middle of the year and are currently 20-3 entering this weekend’s game against Memphis. Sampson has quickly built one of the top cultures in the sport.

Honorable Mention

  • Nate Oats, Alabama
  • Chris Holtmann, Ohio State
  • Eric Musselman, Arkansas
  • Mike Boynton, Oklahoma State
  • Leonard Hamilton, Florida State

Leftovers: