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2017 NCAA Tournament: Which Sweet 16 coach is most capable of winning championship?

By Daniel Benjamin

Feb 27, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self embraces guard Frank Mason III (0) after he leaves the court during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 73-63. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self embraces guard Frank Mason III (0) after he leaves the court during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 73-63. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein reacts against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein reacts against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

John Beilein, Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines have gone through a whirlwind season this year. But head coach John Beilein got the ship righted, and the Wolverines are currently playing their best basketball of the season.

Since the harrowing plane crash prior to Big Ten tournament, the Wolverines have arguably been playing the best basketball in the country. A big reason has been Beilein’s leadership abilities. UM (26-11) has won seven in a row and 12 of 14.

Michigan is extremely talented this year though they would not likely be in the Sweet 16 for the third time in five years without Beilein. The 64-year old, known for turning downtrodden programs around, has a 215-134 record with the Wolverines. He is making his seventh NCAA tournament appearance with the Wolverines, earning a runner-up finish (2013) and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2014.

Another reason that Wolverines have been successful is due to Beilein’s ability to develop players. His philosophy includes a Princeton type offense that is centered around getting good shots and shooting the three-pointer. The Wolverines rank seventh in the nation in effective field goal percentage, 16th in shooting percentage, 22nd in three-pointers made, 43rd in three-point attempts, and 16th in shooting percentage. Defensively, Beilein likes to use a 1-3-1 half-court set though he is flexible enough to go man-to-man and a 2-3 zone.

Before coming to Ann Arbor, Beilein served as head coach at West Virginia where he led the Mountaineers to an Elite Eight and Sweet 16 finish. Beilein also won a NIT championship with WVU.  He is 19-10 in the NCAA tournament all-time. Beilein has coached at Richmond, Canisius as well as LeMoyne (D-II) and Nazareth (D-III).

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