40. Tad Boyle (Colorado)
5 NCAA Tournaments (2-5)
After playing college ball at Kansas in the 80’s under Larry Brown, Boyle returned to his home roots as a high school coach in Colorado. He was on several coaching staffs at the college level before getting his head coaching start at Northern Colorado. After a decent turnaround with the Bears he took over this Buffaloes program in 2010 with several postseason trips in his early years. Colorado has been a consistent team in recent years and are back in the Big Dance one last time as members of the Pac-12.
39. Kevin Keatts (NC State)
4 NCAA Tournaments (0-4)
Much of Keatts’ earliest coaching experience came at Hargrave Military Academy, including two stints as head coach. He was on staff when Louisville won the national championship in 2013 before starting his collegiate head coaching career a year later at UNC Wilmington. After a pair of Tourney bids he was off to NC State and has had an interesting seven years. Not just is this his second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament with the Wolfpack, he just led this program to an incredible ACC Tournament championship.
38. Leon Rice (Boise State)
4 NCAA Tournaments (0-4)
Although he’s a former junior college head coach, much of Rice’s formative experience came during a long stretch as Mark Few’s assistant at Gonzaga, helping him build that program into a juggernaut during the 2000’s. Rice took the Boise State job in 2010 and is having his best success in recent years, with his third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. For the most part, his Broncos have played well on a regular basis in a tough MWC and have a team that could get Rice his first Tourney victory.
37. John Becker (Vermont)
5 NCAA Tournaments (1-5)
Early on his coaching career, Becker worked at Gallaudet, the school for the deaf in Washington DC. Much of his earliest work came in our nation’s capital before joining the Vermont staff back in 2006. After five years aiding Mike Lonergan, Becker was promoted to the top job and has had thirteen prosperous seasons. This is trip number six for his Catamounts and their third straight America East Tournament win, with that lone win coming in the first Four a few years ago.