NCAA Basketball: Top 12 candidates for 2022-23 Coach of the Year
By Joey Loose
Shaka Smart (Marquette)
After taking VCU on that shocking run to the Final Four, things simply did not work out for Smart down at Texas. However, this wasn’t a soul-crushing journey for Smart, who has already bounced back in a big way with these Golden Eagles. He had Marquette back in the NCAA Tournament last season, but the results this season simply speak for themselves.
The Golden Eagles are 19-5, are tied atop the Big East standings at 11-2, and have recently worked their way into the AP Top 10. They have several great performances including a blowout win over Baylor back in November and have already swept Seton Hall and Villanova and knocked off Connecticut and Providence in conference play. The Golden Eagles also have the country’s most efficient offense, and all of this after replacing Justin Lewis and Darryl Morsell from last year’s squad.
They’ve done that with impressive steps forwards by some of their other pieces. Tyler Kolek has blossomed into one of the nation’s best point guards, while guards Kam Jones and Olivier-Maxence Prosper are both lethal offensive weapons. Smart clearly has built a team around his vision and is putting them in the position for success. With the way the schedule is laid out, a Big East championship is definitely a possibility. At the very least, we’re seeing remarkable work from a Marquette team few expected to even compete for a conference title as a potential bubble team.