Who's the favorite for college basketball's men's coach of the year?

Rick Pitino | St. John's

The 72-year-old Hall of Famer has proved he still has plenty in the tank. His St. John's team has taken the nation by storm, no pun intended. The Johnnies defend hard and make life miserable for opponents.

It's led to a No. 7 national ranking — the program's highest since 1991. St. John's can clinch a share of the Big East title Wednesday at Butler, which would be its first since 1991-92. If the Red Storm wins the league outright, it will be the first time since 1984-85. 

The job Pitino has done is catching the eye of coaches who know a thing or two about winning national championships.

“They’ve got a championship-level defense,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said after St. John’s held his Huskies to 39% shooting in an 89-75 beatdown Sunday. “I think they have championship-level offensive rebounding.”

Penny Hardaway | Memphis

Hardaway has delivered when he needed it most. His tenure at Memphis had been nothing but drama, which put him on the hot seat. The Tigers are 22-5 and leading the American Athletic Conference.

Memphis had to completely remake its coaching staff and roster. Hardaway nailed it in the transfer portal with his four double-digit scorers transferring in. He's quieted the drama and is primed for the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2023.

Pat Kelsey | Louisville

Kelsey took on the challenge of reviving Louisville after a disastrous 12-52 two-year run under former head coach Kenny Payne. The former Winthrop and College of Charleston coach has four NCAA Tournament appearances on his resume. He's about to have his fifth, which will also be the Cardinals' first since 2019.

Louisville is just one game back from Duke in the ACC standings with four games remaining. A slew of records could fall in the process. The Cardinals rank second in the ACC in points scored and rebounds per game.

Dennis Gates | Missouri

Gates and Mizzou were winless in the SEC in 2023-24. The Tigers were picked 13th in the preseason SEC poll and didn't feature a player on any of the three preseason All-SEC teams.

That won't be the case when the postseason awards come out. Mizzou is 20-7 and has three wins over top five teams. The Tigers score at a high rate and shoot the ball well from deep. They will be a tough out in March.