It's not an easy task at all to try and rank the top coaches currently in the NCAA tournament. In fact, it required much delibersation and conversation with numerous other coaches.
Here's my list of the top guys heading into the Big Dance, beginning with an absolutely indisputable top five.
1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Blue Devils
Coach K has won four national titles and been to the Final Four an amazing 11 times. He's the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. That's good enough for me.
2. Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans
He's made a half-dozen Final Four appearances in his career in East Lansing, and won his lone national title in 2000. He's one of the elite X's and O's guys in the game, and his record in quick turnaround games (18-3) is downright remarkable.
3. Rick Pitino, Louisville Cardinals
Pitino and the Cardinals won it all last season and have a chance to repeat even after losing Peyton Siva, Gorgui Dieng and Chane Behanan. But Pitino's most impressive job was getting Louisville to the Final Four two seasons ago with an unheralded, unproven bunch.