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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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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts as they take on the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts as they take on the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

2. Tony Bennett – Virginia Cavaliers

2016-17 season record: 23-11 (11-7 in ACC)

2017-18 season record: 31-3 (17-1 in ACC)

Virginia lost some key players from last year’s team, and there were legit questions as to whether they would make it back to the NCAA Tournament.

Bennett decided to up the Cavaliers defense to a historic level, holding 12 different opponents to under 50 points in a given game, with the top scoring defense in the country at 54.0 ppg. Unfortunately, it didn’t show up against UMBC, which leaves a bad stench to what was otherwise an incredible coaching job by him.

Bennett was awarded both the ACC and the National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, each well deserved. But considering the circumstances in the preseason, I believe that one coach still an even better job.

1. Bruce Pearl – Auburn Tigers

2016-17 season record: 18-14 (7-11 in SEC)

2017-18 season record: 26-8 (13-5 in SEC)

No program was affected more on the court from the initial impact of the FBI Investigation than the Tigers, who lost their starting frontcourt as a result. Pearl himself was nearly fired after he supposedly refused to cooperate with the probe.

But being left for dead, Auburn miraculously started out the season 21-2, before ultimately sharing the SEC regular season title. That league sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, so winning it after being picked near the bottom is an incredible feat.

Next: 2018-19 Preseason Top 25

If it wasn’t for the cloud that constantly surrounds him off the court, more appreciation would be given to Pearl for the job he did. But when determining which team was the biggest basketball surprise this season, Auburn has to be right up there, if not No. 1. Pearl always seems to cause headaches for administrations, but his coaching acumen should never be in question, especially after this year.

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