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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 National Coach of the Year candidates for 2020-21

By Benjamin Zacher

COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 31, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 31, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Rick Barnes Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Rick Barnes Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

In what has been, almost assuredly, the most bizarre season in the history of NCAA Basketball, every team has had to adjust to meet and overcome the neverending challenges and obstacles that have been thrown in their way – whether it be from COVID-19 pauses, the seemingly endless cycle of rescheduling, or even just rolling the ball out onto the floor and lining up against another team.

Players successfully adapting to these unusual times begins with leadership and guidance, on and off the floor – and that starts with the head coach.  In more ways than one, several coaches are doing their best jobs this season – simply by leading their teams, successfully, through a global pandemic.

That success translating into wins on the floor may be the most impressive part of it all, however – and with the end of the regular season quickly approaching, so is the race for the coveted National Coach of the Year award.

Just a few days ago, the latest watchlist for the 2021 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year award was released, highlighting 15 finalists for this year’s award.  As of February 22nd, across 310 games coached this season by those 15 coaches, those 15 coaches hold an amassed record of 261-49 – an 84.2% winning percentage.

There seems to be a clear, national consensus at the moment on who this year’s National Coach of the Year will be – but it would not be shocking to see the race tighten up dramatically as conference tournaments, as well as March Madness, approach.  Just as the National Player of the Year conversation has unexpectedly ramped up in the last few weeks, so will, inevitably, Coach of the Year talks.

With just a few weeks remaining, it is time to take a look at those most deserving of recognition – including those not necessarily among the 15 on the Naismith watchlist.

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