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NCAA Basketball: 10 best coaching performances from the 2017-18 season

By Tristan Freeman

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

More honorable mentions

Leonard Hamilton – Florida State Seminoles

2017-18 season record: 23-12 (9-9 in ACC)

After losing the team’s three leading scorers from a year ago, Florida State was expected to take a step back. But rather than hope one or two players take a giant step forward, coach Hamilton used literally the entire roster to replace the lost production. And it worked, with an Elite Eight appearance to show for it.

Dan Muller – Illinois State Redbirds

2017-18 season record: 18-15 (10-8)

The overall record isn’t too impressive, but it was purposely tougher after the social media campaign the team used to get better opponents. But this year’s coaching job by Muller was, in my opinion, better than the near 30 win team previously, considering that he had to replace nearly 90% of production with a harder schedule. Even still, Illinois State had another top-tier finish and was a win away from the NCAA Tournament.

Mark Few – Gonzaga Bulldogs

2017-18 season record: 32-5 (17-1 in WCC)

Sometimes great coaching performances can go unnoticed because it’s expected, but it doesn’t make it any less impressive. Coach Few had a number of tasks, including reinserting Josh Perkins at the point guard position and handling the growing pains of several underclassmen.

Including his masterful coaching against Saint Mary’s, and another Sweet Sixteen appearance, Gonzaga outperformed even the team’s fans own expectations.

Joe Pasternack – UC-Santa Barbara

2017-18 season record: 23-9 (11-5 in Big West)

After going 6-22 in the prior season, the Gauchos hired former Arizona assistant Pasternack, who was known for his recruiting skills. Turns out he’s a solid X’s and O’s coach as well, with a 17 win increase from the 2016-17 season. As long as he remains the coach, the Big West will have to deal with UC-Santa Barbara.

Tim Miles – Nebraska Cornhuskers

2017-18 season record: 22-11 (13-5 in Big Ten)

Regardless of how the schedule benefitted the Cornhuskers, it’s always impressive to win 13 games in a power conference league. Miles had one of the biggest hot seats coming into the season and had his best coaching performance when it was most needed.

Paul Weir – New Mexico Lobos

2017-18 season record: 19-15 (12-6 in Mountain West)

After getting swept by his previous school and now rival New Mexico State, Paul Weir clearly had his work cut out for himself in his first year with the Lobos. But New Mexico ultimately got it together, finishing in a very surprising third place in the Mountain West, with a seven-game win streak towards the end of the season. Even with the lack of high-level talent, Weir still made life difficult for his coaching brethren in this league. Imagine what he’ll do when the transfers he brought in are able to play.

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