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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 Houston Cougars Kelvin Sampson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Houston Cougars Kelvin Sampson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable mentions

It is impossible to give coaches the proper credit – particularly when there are so many who are deserving of being considered.  Limiting this list just down to 10 is difficult on its own, particularly when taking the Naismith watchlist into account – as well as those left off the list.

Giving credit where credit is due begins with recognizing coaches who have kept their teams at the forefront of their conferences – ranging from power leagues to mid-major conferences.  Among those is Virginia Tech’s Mike Young, who – after his Hokies were picked to finish 11th in the ACC’s preseason poll – has led his team to a 14-5 overall record and an 8-4 conference mark, sitting just two games back of first place in the ACC as well as a nationally ranking of 16th.

In the AAC, Houston has continued its dominance, courtesy of Kelvin Sampson’s ongoing leadership on the sidelines.  The Cougars have been forced to operate without the AAC Preseason Player of the Year in Caleb Mills, who transferred out after playing just four games – and in turn, Houston has cemented itself atop the AAC with an 18-3 overall mark and a 12-3 record in conference play.

Rounding out those among the high-major honorable mentions is USC’s Andy Enfield, who – with his team unranked entering the season – has led the Trojans to the top spot in the Pac-12.  At 19-4 overall and 13-3 in the conference, the Trojans are ranked 19th nationally and feature Evan Mobley, the favorite to win the conference’s Player of the Year award.

There are mid-majors who warrant national recognition, as well.  San Diego State has, understandably, taken a step back since last year’s historic season, but Brian Dutcher has kept the Aztecs afloat in a wildly competitive Mountain West.  With four teams in the conference vying for an at-large bid, Dutcher’s Aztecs are sitting as the lone ranked MWC team at 22nd with wins over UCLA and St. Mary’s – and records of 17-4 overall and 11-3 in the MWC.

It trickles down into leagues not necessarily as nationally recognized as the Mountain West, as well.  Both Belmont’s Casey Alexander and Winthrop’s Pat Kelsey have coached their teams to 20-plus win seasons while suffering just one loss apiece.  They currently have a combined record of 44-2 overall and 35-1 in conference play, and both squads are earning national top-25 votes.

There are a number of coaches that I did not mention who deserve recognition, as well.  Limiting this to just 10 – as well as the honorable mentions – is easier said than done, but these are the 10 coaches who have the biggest stake in being considered for the award.

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