Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the head coaches for 2018-19

By Bryan Mauro

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ROSEMONT, IL- NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Chris Collins of the Northwestern Wildcats gives instructions to his team in a game against the Creighton Bluejays during the first half on November 15, 2017 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
ROSEMONT, IL- NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Chris Collins of the Northwestern Wildcats gives instructions to his team in a game against the Creighton Bluejays during the first half on November 15, 2017 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

8. Chris Collins

Northwestern is statistically one of the worst basketball programs in the history of the Power 5. They may arguably be the worst program in the Big Ten over the history of their program. When Collins took the job before the 2013 season, Northwestern had never made the NCAA tournament, and had not played in many postseason tournaments overall.

The 2016 season arrived, and Northwestern led by star point guard Bryant McIntosh finally made their first appearance in the Big Dance. They were also able to secure a late win against Vanderbilt. Not only is Coach Collins responsible for the first tournament appearance in the school’s history, he was able to get the first win out of the way early. It was a magical season that many Northwestern fans were hoping would not just be a onetime occurrence. Last year the Wildcats were riddled with injuries for most of the year, and a tougher overall schedule and Big Ten got the best of them.

Collins has coaching bloodlines. His father Doug is a long time NBA coach, and has won many games as a coach at the highest level. The younger Collins is also a descendant of the Duke coaching tree led by Coach K. Getting Northwestern to the NCAA tournament is no easy task. Many teams before the one that made it were close and could never close the job.

The Wildcats under Collins were able to close the deal. Collins has always been able to get every last drop of talent out of the players he has assembled on his Roster. His teams play an exciting brand of basketball, they also have one of the most underrated centers in the country in Dererk Pardon. Led by Pardon and guard Scottie Lindsay, the Wildcats are looking to surprise some people in the deep Big Ten conference this season.

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