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NCAA Basketball: Butler, SDSU headline National Coach of the Year rankings

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 04: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs reacts in the second half of the game against the Creighton Bluejays at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 4, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Butler defeated Creighton 71-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 04: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs reacts in the second half of the game against the Creighton Bluejays at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 4, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Butler defeated Creighton 71-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Coach Pope of the Cougars directs. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Coach Pope of the Cougars directs. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

player. 540. . . . Mark Pope. 10

BYU has quietly been one of the nation’s most pleasant surprises this season. Although the Cougars are yet to crack the AP Top 25, they have launched out to a 12-4 (1-0 WCC) record that includes a fair number of quality wins. It is also important to mention that three of those losses occurred while star forward Yoeli Childs was out due to an eligibility issue. BYU has hit a new level with him back in the rotation and head coach Mark Pope has been superb on the sidelines.

While Coach Pope has clearly made several strong decisions, perhaps his best was bringing Jake Toolson back to the program. Toolson began his career with the Cougars in 2014-15 and then transferred to Utah Valley. Whilst there, the 6-foot-5 guard played under Coach Pope and followed him back to Provo as a graduate transfer during this past offseason. Toolson has started every game for BYU this season and is averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from 3-point range.

Gonzaga might still be regarded as the favorite to win the WCC this season but BYU looks the part of being a potential dark-horse. The Cougars have played exceptionally well to begin this season thanks to the leadership of Coach Pope, the star power of Childs, and the strong supporting cast that is burying trifectas at a very high rate.

BYU entered this season ranked at No. 71 on KenPom. It has already risen to No. 32.

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