College Basketball: Top 5 Candidates for Coach of the Year

College Basketball: Top 5 candidates for AP Coach of the Year

Dec 20, 2014; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) and head coach Jay Wright and guard Ryan Arcidiacono (15) celebrate a victory against the Syracuse Orange at Wells Fargo Center. Villanova defeated Syracuse 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 30, 2016; Rosemont, IL, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack reacts during the first half against the DePaul Blue Demons at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chris Mack, Xavier

Now the coach at Xavier for seven seasons, Chris Mack is currently in the midst of his best coaching season to date. The Musketeers are currently 21-2 in the ultra competitive Big East and sit only one game back of conference leaders and national No. 1 Villanova. That is, however, the one thing that could keep Mack from being named AP Coach of the Year.

Though he is currently having the best seasons of his coaching career and Xavier is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, one of the Musketeers’ losses this season was against No. 1 Villanova in their Big East conference opener, a game they lost 95-64 at Villanova. If the Musketeers fail to defeat Villanova on Wednesday, February 24, then Chris Mack’s chances will be greatly reduced.

Another area that could help Mack’s chances to win the award will be Xavier making a deep run or potentially winning either the regular season or conference tournament title for the Big East. With such a title comes much prestige for the winning team, which would likely propel the Xavier head coach up the list of many voters.

Assuming that Xavier do defeat Villanova at home, Mack will definitely propel himself to — at the minimum — a tie with the next man on this list for the AP Coach of the Year award. No matter the result of the game though, Mack will still likely be in some conversations for the award at seasons end.

Next: Jay Wright, Villanova