5 main candidates for Naismith males's school basketball Coach of the Yr

[ad_1] On Tuesday evening, No. 5 Nebraska suffered its first lack of the season, falling 75–72 to No. 3 Michigan. Even so, Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg stays the front-runner to win the 2026 Naismith males’s school Coach of the Yr award.

Because the season enters its stretch run — with roughly six weeks left within the common season earlier than convention tournaments start — Hoiberg stands amongst a small group of significant contenders for the 2026 Naismith honor.

Every of the coaches within the combine has far exceeded preseason expectations. The pinnacle coaches listed under, in alphabetical order, are main the best way. (Information are by means of play Tuesday; preseason forecasts are from vote of convention groups.)

Mark Byington, Vanderbilt Commodores Document: 18-3 | AP top-25 rating: No. 18 Preseason forecast: No. 11 within the Southeastern Convention Byington has accomplished a wonderful job navigating the Commodores by means of the vaunted SEC. On Tuesday, Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 80-55, and Byington's group additionally has a six-point victory over then-No. 13 Alabama. Not unhealthy for a Vanderbilt crew that wasn't projected to make waves within the SEC this season.

Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska Cornhuskers Document: 20-1 | AP top-25 rating: No. 5Preseason forecast: No. 14 within the Huge Ten Convention

Nebraska is the feel-good story of the 2025-26 marketing campaign. The Cornhuskers noticed their 24-game profitable streak relationship to final season snapped by the Wolverines, however what Hoiberg has achieved with Nebraska is outstanding. Picked to complete close to the Huge Ten's backside, the Cornhuskers are a contender to assert the convention title and go on a deep run within the Huge Dance.

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Wildcats Document: 21-0 | AP top-25 rating: No. 1Preseason forecast: No. 2 within the Huge 12

The Wildcats entered the season considered as one of many Huge 12’s prime groups, however Lloyd’s group has nonetheless managed to exceed expectations. Arizona, the highest crew within the NET rankings and by way of KenPom, is in line for a No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match, and the Wildcats have triumphs over ranked foes Florida (the defending nationwide champ), UCLA, UConn, Auburn, Alabama and, most not too long ago, BYU.

Josh Schertz, Saint Louis Billikens Document: 20-1 | AP top-25 rating: No. 21 Preseason forecast: No. 2 within the Atlantic 10 Convention

Saint Louis is battling George Mason (18-2) for Atlantic 10 supremacy, and the groups will sq. off within the regular-season finale. It is true that the Billikens haven't got a win over a ranked foe, however then once more, they've but to play one. Nonetheless, Saint Louis' solely blemish this season has been by one level to Stanford, and the Billikens are a top-25 crew in keeping with each KenPom and the NET.

Travis Steele, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Document: 21-0 | AP top-25 rating: No. 24Preseason forecast: No. 2 within the Mid-American Convention

Miami has but to play a top-25 opponent or a sport in Quadrant 1 of the NET. Nevertheless, that does not diminish what Steele has accomplished with the RedHawks. They're one in every of two remaining undefeated packages, together with top-ranked Arizona. Miami (Ohio) has crushed the MAC's second-best crew, Akron, and the RedHawks lead the nation in factors per sport at a whopping 94.1.