Top Five X’s & O’s Coaches In College Basketball

4. Fred Hoiberg – Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones Head Coach Fred Hoiberg talks to his team in timeout during their game with the Texas Longhorns at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State beat Texas 85-76. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The System: In Ames, the Hoiberg name is synonymous with college basketball. But it is Hoiberg’s 14 years in the NBA as player and executive that has most influenced his coaching.  Many of the Cyclones sets come straight from the pages of NBA playbooks. Hoiberg’s playbook is thick and there is something for every situation.

The NBA influence is evident in the spacing, pick-and-rolls, pick-and-pops and two-man isolations and the Cyclones could easily play with an NBA shot clock as their quick-hitting sets produce shots in an average of 15 seconds each possession.

Why it Works: Hoiberg teaches the NBA concepts then gets out of the way and allows match ups to dictate. His offense is adaptable to personnel and has worked well with the programs numerous transfers.

Why it’s Here: If these rankings were based solely on innovation in the college game, Hoiberg would be ranked at the top, but he’s yet to experience a national splash. The Cyclones are becoming a Big 12 power and a tournament force thanks in part to a departure from system-based basketball and the introduction of professional concepts.