COACH OF THE YEAR POWER RANKINGS 2.0

We’re now about two thirds of the way through the season with teams in the thick of conference play. Therefore, it’s a good time to reevaluate our National Coach of the Year rankings.

Here’s the Field of 68’s list:

Record: 20-1, 9-1 Big Ten

Preseason ranking: Not Ranked (AP), No. 51 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 5 (AP), No. 11 (Kenpom), No. 6 (NET)

The Cornhuskers just took it to Michigan down two of their best players and proved to the country, even in a loss, that they can compete with anyone. We’re talking about a team picked 14th in the Big Ten preseason media poll potentially cutting down nets. Hoiberg is our top candidate because of that.

Record: 21-0, 8-0 Big 12

Preseason ranking: No. 13 (AP), No. 15 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 1 (AP), No. 1 (Kenpom), No. 1 (NET)

Lloyd decided to bank on five-star freshman and international prospects to build around his core of Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso, Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka instead of turning to the transfer portal. He and his staff’s evaluations have paid off in a big way, and it’s hard to have the man orchestrating America’s consensus No. 1 team down the list any further.

Record: 21-0, 9-0 MAC

Preseason ranking: Unranked (AP), No. 127 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 19 (AP), No. 88 (Kenpom), No. 51 (NET)

Steele has the Redhawks off to its best start in school history and the best start in the history of the MAC. There’s been some close calls along the way, but there’s something to be said about always coming out on top.

Record: 19-1, 9-1 Big Ten

Preseason ranking: No. 7 (AP), No. 11 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 3 (AP), No. 2 (Kenpom), No. 3 (NET)

The Wolverines have looked unstoppable at times with a 40 point win over a likely No. 2 seed in Gonzaga, not to mention several other blowouts. May has also found a way to create one of the nation’s most efficient offenses playing three bigs.

Record: 15-5, 5-2 Big 12

Preseason ranking: No. 19 (AP), No. 21 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 14 (AP), No. 14 (Kenpom), No. 15 (NET)

Self’s star freshman Darryn Peterson has been in and out of the lineup, yet the Jayhawks are still right there in the Big 12 race and have a chance at a protected seed in the NCAA Tournament if they continue to play well.

Record: 20-1, 8-0 Atlantic 10

Preseason ranking: Unranked (AP), No. 65 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 21 (AP), No. 25 (Kenpom), No. 18 NET

Schertz has Saint Louis rolling, and if it weren’t for Stanford’s unlikely buzzer beater back in November, we could be talking about the Billikens potentially running the table. More on Saint Louis’ incredible start can be found here.

Record: 17-4, 7-1 ACC

Preseason ranking: Not Ranked (AP), No. 51 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 22 (AP), No. 29 (Kenpom), No. 29 (NET)

Nobody expected Clemson to be competing for an ACC title this season, yet alone second or third place. The Tigers are right there in the mix. Brownell has done a phenomenal job with a veteran team.

Record: 18-3, 5-3 SEC

Preseason ranking: Unranked (AP), No. 19 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 18 (AP), No. 12 (Kenpom), No. 13 (NET)

The Commodores have been as high as No. 5 on Kenpom and were undefeated before losing three-straight in conference play, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of in a league as good as the SEC. Byington’s group blew out Kentucky this week, and they still look like contenders for the SEC crown after being picked 11th preseason.

Record: 18-2, 5-2 Big 12

Preseason ranking: No. 16 (AP), No. 13 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 8 (AP), No. 5 (Kenpom), No. 7 (NET)

The Cyclones have one of the most impressive wins of the season, handing Purdue its largest margin of defeat in Mackey Arena history. The returners Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcillovic have been as advertised, by the pieces Otz put around them like freshman Killyan Toure has elevated this team into a title contender.

Record: 21-1, 9-0 WCC

Preseason ranking: Not Ranked (AP), No. 51 (Kenpom)

Current ranking: No. 23 (AP), No. 10 (Kenpom), No. 4 NET

Gonzaga’s only stumbled once this season to Michigan, and the Bulldogs have a good chance of running the table the rest of the way. Few also didn’t back down from anyone in the non-conference.

COACH OF THE YEAR POWER RANKINGS 2.0

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