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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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Feb 21, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Purdue defeated Penn State 74-70. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Purdue defeated Penn State 74-70. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Painter, Purdue Boilermakers

Matt Painter is an underrated coach. The 46-year old has done a fantastic job since taking over for legendary coach Gene Keady at Purdue. He has led the Boilermakers to three Big Ten championships (two regular season crowns, 1 conference tournament title) and 10 NCAA tournament bids.

Painter is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since making back-to-back regional semifinal appearances (2008-09, 2009-10). The Boilermakers have not gotten past the Sweet 16 under Painter. He does, however, have a 10-9 record tourney record.

Purdue plays typical Big Ten style basketball as they like to bang with their big guys and shoot a lot of three-pointers as they don’t have a lot of overly athletic guys. Painter is another defensive-oriented coach.

Painter has compiled a 261-141 record with the Boilermakers, though the 27 wins by this year’s squad are the program’s most since 2009-10. Prior to coming to West Lafayette, he spent one season as head coach at Southern Illinois, posting a 25-5 record.

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