NCAA Basketball: Who should be the finalists for national Coach of the Year?

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KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts in the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Rick Barnes- Tennessee

Rick Barnes has always been a well-respected coach in the industry, after Bruce Pearl left the Volunteers Rick Barnes took the job. Barnes was fired from his former job at Texas, before taking the Volunteer job. Barnes has always had his own style on the game of basketball he enjoys playing with a smaller lineup with athletic guards who can shoot. His offense likes to spread the floor and they usually always defend.

Barnes has now been able to successfully implement that style at Tennessee. Led by two undersized forwards in Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, the Volunteers have been able to navigate through the SEC this year. Tennessee under Rick Barnes are going to have staying power, they are not just a one hit wonder this year.

Much like Ohio State, Tennessee was picked 13^th in SEC. The Volunteers have all rallied around that ranking and have shown everyone that this team is much better than they were given credit for. Keeping a team who has a chip on their shoulder, motivated all year and teaching that team to play within themselves is one of the hardest part of any coach’s job.

Tennessee is now going to finish this season as the hunted as opposed to the hunters. That can also change a mentality of a team. Barnes has been able to keep it all together, and the Volunteers appear poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The Volunteers should be a high seed in the NCAA tournament, and Rick Barnes and his coaching staff should be very proud of how far this team has come.

LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shouts instructions to his team during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Chris Beard- Texas Tech

When you are the coach of a team who plays in the same conference as the Kansas Jayhawks, you know you are always going to be tested. The best validation you can have as a coach is having a chance to dethrone the Kansas Jayhawks. That is exactly what Chris Beard has done this year at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have pushed Kansas to the brink of finishing in second place. That alone should put a coach in the running for this award.

The Red Raiders are also in position right now to receive a top 8 seed in the NCAA tournament. Texas Tech is a tough-minded team that isn’t going to be scared of anyone, and could make a deep run into the tournament and are a trendy early final four possibility. The Red Raiders are led by superstar Keenan Evans, Evans should be considered for the National Player of the Year. He is the heart and soul of the Red Raiders.

Beard is leading one of the best teams in the country in the best league in the college game. If Beard and the Red Raiders can dethrone Kansas in the regular season, he should be given this award and Texas Tech should pay whatever amount of money it would take for Beard to remain the coach at Texas Tech for a long time. Texas Tech is in good hands with Beard as their coach, and if he remains the coach in Lubbock for many years Texas Tech is going to be hanging some Big 12 Championship banners in the rafters.

Next: 10 teams who could make a run in the NCAA Tournament

The coaches listed above are the top three for this award. Those three coaches have taken their teams and made the biggest strides with them this year. The following list of coaches are on the honorable mention list, and will be considered for the award as well:

Mick Cronin

Kelvin Sampson

Tony Bennett

Will Wade

Bruce Pearl

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