2019 NCAA Tournament: 5 potential breakout coach candidates

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 15: Head coach LeVelle Moton of the North Carolina Central Eagles reacts in the second half against the UC Davis Aggies during the First Four game in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images /

Matt McMahon, Murray State

Head coach Matt McMahon has seen his resume continue to grow with the Murray State Racers. McMahon and the Racers are making their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and conference tournament titles once again.

McMahon led the Racers to a 27-4 record this season, his best to date with the team. He’s also developed one of the nation’s hottest topics of conversation in NBA Draft circles in sophomore point guard Ja Morant. Morant averaged 24.6 points, 10.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in 2018-19 and won the OVC Player of the Year award.

The Racers are in the elusive 5/12 game as the 12-seed, a realm where a stellar 47 12-seeds have defeated the higher seeded No. 5. They’ll face the Marquette Golden Eagles, who have their own star in guard Markus Howard, in the first round.

A push to the Sweet 16 isn’t out of the picture for McMahon and the Racers. If McMahon can push his team to the second weekend, look for his name to climb up the coaching carousel as well.

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