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NCAA Tournament 2019: Ranking the Sweet 16 head coaches

By Joey Loose

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Stetson Hatters in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Stetson Hatters in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

8. Bruce Pearl (Auburn)

10th NCAA Tournament (13-9), 5th Sweet Sixteen

Pearl is shattering all kinds of droughts with the Tigers, having already led them to their first SEC tournament title in 34 seasons. After blasting Kansas, the Tigers made their first Sweet 16 since 2003 and are a game away from their first Elite Eight since 1986. Pearl won a D-2 title at Southern Indiana, took Milwaukee to the Sweet 16, and made several NCAA trips at Tennessee. He’s building towards something special, which could easily happen with this Auburn team if they keep playing like they’ve been playing. Will this be the team to break through to the Final Four?

7. Tony Bennett (Virginia)

9th NCAA Tournament (12-8), 4th Sweet Sixteen

Virginia avoided another scare by battling back against No. 16 seed Gardner-Webb before taking care of Oklahoma in the second round. Ghosts of UMBC might finally be put to rest, and Bennett’s defensive tactics have put the Cavaliers in a great spot. Bennett has dominated ACC play as of late and now gets a pesky No. 12 seed in the Sweet 16, his third with the school. It’s been 35 years since this team made the Final Four; will Bennett’s squad break that streak or will cold shooting and defensive lapses kill this team again?

6. John Beilein (Michigan)

13th NCAA Tournament (26-12), 7th Sweet Sixteen, 2 Final Fours

Once again, Beilein has the Wolverines playing great basketball. Fresh off a run to the national title game a year ago, Beilein continues to prove that he can win big games, though a challenge awaits against Texas Tech. He’s made some big strides with a Wolverines program that was lifeless when he arrived in 2007. Some great players have come and gone, but Beilein always reloads and could have a third Final Four team on his hands.

5. Tom Izzo (Michigan State)

22nd NCAA Tournament (50-20), 14th Sweet Sixteen, 7 Final Fours, 1 National Title

The Spartans have made the second weekend for the first time in four seasons, a statement that seems shocking for this program. Izzo has Michigan State as one of the nation’s top contenders nearly every season, having made a multitude of deep tournament runs, including the title in 2000. He’s put together another elite squad in his 22nd tourney run. His squad can’t afford to struggle early as they did against Bradley when they take on LSU, but this team could easily end up in the Final Four.

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