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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

LeVelle Moton, North Carolina Central

Head coach LeVelle Moton has quietly done his work in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He’s led the North Carolina Central Hawks to their third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance on the heels of his third-straight MEAC Tournament title. Moton is a coach who always has his players playing well at the right time and it’s shown these past three seasons.

This season, the Hawks finished third in the MEAC regular season standings and managed to win the MEAC Tournament crown for the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, they finish sixth in the standings. The only season they won the regular season and conference tournament title was back in 2016-17.

The Hawks are in the play-in game against North Dakota State for their spot as the No. 16 seed. Winner of that game will face the Duke Blue Devils. It’s tough sledding, but that’s how it’s been for Moton.

Moton has done more with less, given his team’s 18-15 overall record. He could be outgrowing the environment in North Carolina Central should another suitor come calling. It will be interesting to see where his career goes after this season.

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