Transcript: What Pat Kelsey stated following Louisville’s victory against California

On Wednesday, Terrance Edwards Jr. led the University of Louisville to their 24th win, defeating California 85-68 with a career-high 35 points.

Edwards scored 17 of his team’s first 22 points and made 7 of 11 three-pointers. He finished 11 of 19 from the field overall.

Chucky Hepburn contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while J’Vonne Hadley scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

University of Louisville led by as many as 24 points in the second half.

The Cardinals are presently 24-6 overall, 17-2 in the ACC.

Here’s what head coach Pat Kelsey said after the game:

OPENING STATEMENT:

“It was an extremely physically demanding game. We knew it was the sort of game we would get from Cal and (Mark) Madsen dubbed ‘Mad Dog’ since the squad adopts the coach’s personality. They’re rugged and gritty. We had three individuals with nose wounds, a handful with swelling ankles, and a variety of other injuries. It was a hard-fought contest. The narrative of the game was our defence. The scouting report focused heavily on No. 0 (Jeremiah Wilkinson) and No. 2 (Andrej Stojakovic). The glass was also heavily emphasised. They outrebounded us by two and had many offensive rebounds. Our percentage isn’t where I wanted it to be, but our men fought on the glass. I believed they were playing quite hard. When players were getting hurt, including Reyne (Smith), our next-man-up philosophy was on full show. Noah (Waterman) stepped in and provided us excellent minutes. Khani (Rooths), Kader (Traore), and Frank (Anselem-Ibe) all took the initiative. Today was representative of the sort of season we’ve had.

“Guys, get down and step up. Terrence Edwards had an amazing night. He had 29 points, there was a technical foul issued, and I told Chucky (Hepburn) to shoot the free throws, but he replied, “No, no, no, let Fat (Edwards) do it.” I adore it when that happens. These men care about winning and supporting their teammates. Terrence hits his free throws and goes over thirty. I felt that was also quite excellent. We were lucky to have won. We have a brief turnaround to heal up, recover, and prepare for a big one on Saturday. We will honour our senior class. Many of these individuals will only have one year in a Louisville uniform, and I don’t want to speak for you or the fan base, but I believe this bunch will be remembered fondly and recognised for what they have done to put this program back on the map.”

(On restricting Cal’s offensive capacity and offensive glass)

“There were several misses. They were 21 for 71 from the pitch. We restricted them to a very low field goal %, which I believe is a testament to how well our players performed on that end. There were a number of long shots that resulted in long rebounds, and one of their core values as a club is to chase the ball at the best level. That was everything we discussed and worked on during the previous few days. They’re difficult to keep off the glass. Their two centres attack the ball with ferocity. Rytis Petraitis is an excellent offensive rebounder, and that’s one area where we can improve after this game, but I believe our team fought hard. There isn’t much strategy, but we wanted to send two people at the larger guys. We had to double them multiple times, which freed up bodies for other players to get offensive rebounds, but those two are a burden, and that was a big focus.”

(About the “next man up mentality”)

“I feel exactly the same way you do. It’s simply the team’s resilience. I believe that is one of the team’s trademarks, or characteristics; what comes next? Something occurs, hardship strikes, someone falls, and nobody blinks an eye. We constantly repeat, “Next man up, next man up.” I’ve said it before: I know it’s a Pittsburgh Steelers thing, and I hate paying respect to the Steelers because I despise them, but we preach it all the time. When Noah’s (Waterman’s) name was called, he entered and gave us excellent minutes. As I already stated, Khani (Rooths), Kader (Aboubacar Traore), and Frank (Anselem-Ibe) were the standouts off the bench, and everyone else improved as well. Terrence (Edwards) was fantastic, as we all know. Again, the narrative of the game for me is our effort, particularly on defence. Over the previous two months, we’ve improved significantly as a defensive club.

(About Reyne Smith’s injuries)

“Yeah. I mean, I’m not sure what’s going on yet. I simply knew he couldn’t get back into the game. I haven’t gotten a chance to speak with Katie [Creznic, UofL trainer]. She just stated he couldn’t come back. So, we’ll analyse it in the morning, and I’ll have more information for you after that.

(On having a larger line-up today)

“I mean, it was more of a need than anything. When Reyne [Smith] went down, you know he’s 6-2, and the people who were supposed to replace him were Khani [Rooths], 6-8. Noah [Waterman], 6–10, Kader [Aboubacar Traore]. So he sort of did it out of necessity. So, while I appreciated him giving me credit for it, it was simply the benefit of having no option.”

(On the significance of not having to rely solely on Reyne [Smith] as the primary perimeter shooter)

“We have an excellent shooting squad. Chucky [Hepburn] is having the finest three-point shooting season of his career. Terrence [Edwards, Jr.] and Noah Waterman can both shoot the ball quite well. J’Vonne Hadley has developed into a really successful, consistent three-point shooter, and Khani [Rooths, you know, makes an open three. We are an effective three-point shooting squad. We appreciate that in the hiring process since that is how we are built. So, obviously, Reyne [Smith] is outstanding. Reyne is one of the best shooters in college basketball, one of the best shooters I’ve ever taught, but we have a lot of people who can make shots.”

(On keeping the opposition’s leading scorer [Stojakovic] to a season low)

“He’s quite good. His father is one of the best players in NBA history, so it’s wonderful to be prepping and scouting him, and then they brought his father up to the stands a few of times, like, oh my god, it’s his kid. But he is good. I feel he has a remarkable capacity to generate fouls. He’s simply incredibly effective at going downhill, making contact, continuing to attack the rim, and applying foul pressure on you. We placed a strong focus on guarding him without fouling at the time of attack, one on one. We wanted to be rough and chest him up early, and we also wanted the floor to be crowded around him. You can make threes, but get downhill and attack. I just think our soldiers did an excellent job of paying attention to the scouting report and carrying out their assigned tasks. He was guarded by a group of guys. It wasn’t just one individual, but we did an excellent job. He’s difficult to prepare for. The other huge emphasis was on No. 0 (Jeremiah Wilkinson), who was also an excellent free throw shooter. And I believe we did a fantastic job of guarding him without fouling.”

(About defensive progress in the previous two months)

“It’s just the care factor. That’s the best way to express it: want-to. I informed them that the movement began two months ago, possibly soon before we played North Carolina. There was just something that drove us to quit being coach-led on defence and instead become player-led. That really important to them. We attempted to persuade them, or build a picture, that if we are to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves, we must strengthen our defence. That went into the heads and souls of our guys. I’ve already discussed Terrence’s defensive progress and buy-in. We all know Chucky is a wonderful defender, and J’Vonne Hadley is an excellent defender, but Terrence deserves a lot of praise for his dedication to the defence. He scored 35 points tonight, but he also worked hard on defence. It’s not just him; it’s all of our teammates, but that’s the best way to answer the question. It’s simply a matter of caring. Our defence is player-led, which is why we’re so effective.”

(On Noah Waterman’s great performance)

“I mean, he twisted his ankle, but he’s tough. As I have already stated, he breaks his thumb, gets four pins inserted, and continues to play. We had to have him sit out. He’s a tough youngster who we need. With Reyne out tonight, we needed perimeter shooting, and he hit that massive three while defended. He was a critical component, and we’ll need him to continue to be so moving ahead. When something like this happens, when Reyne goes down, it forces the players to play more. Our starting lineup has been playing a tonne of minutes, and this game, it’s interesting how God works sometimes, pushed those players to play more. They build confidence by being able to go out there, remain out there, and play for a while. The silver lining will be that as we get into conference tournament and playoff competition, seeing these players play a game like this will build their confidence and be vital.”

(On the team’s depth rather than depending on career nights from players)

“I believe we’ve been a team all season that doesn’t rely on one player to have an incredible night. Because, you know what? Reyne Smith has 37 previously. Terrence tallied 35 tonight. Chucky got 37 the other day. J’Vonne Hadley recorded a 30-point game. So, in my perspective, it is what makes us good. Look at our total statistics: 17, 16, 15, 14, 13. We are far from a one-trick pony, and I believe it is one of the team’s key identities: our depth and ability to harm you in a variety of areas, as well as for a variety of players to have big games on various nights.”

(About James Scott facilitating for the offence)

“James is like a point centre. I feel completely assured, and stating it makes me happy since he is a play-through man. I feel really at ease when he has the ball in his hands. He just knows the intricacies of encouraging guys to open up. He’s developed into an excellent screener. He analyses the game and our opponents thoroughly, and he will return to me with ideas. They were playing far away from him in the first half, and even more so in the second, as if they were putting their player in a limited area. He’s clever enough to realise that ‘when I’m not defended, they can’t help on my screens,’ so if we have a screening action happening around him, he’ll dump the ball and give a person a chance. He simply does all of the small things, and he’s become an excellent passer as well. He’s tough as nails, and we all know he still has his teeth out. He has fractured bones, he has the mask, and then the big fellow from Cal drills him in the face, breaking his mask, cutting his face, and he goes off to get a mouthpiece before returning to the game. I enjoy hardness, guy. We recognise it in the same way as we identify gunfire. If you are not tough, you cannot play for me. You simply can’t. To see everyone wearing nose protectors and with cuts on their noses; Chucky got one tonight, James got one tonight, and Noah broke his teeth. We’re dealing with a lot of issues. “I love it; it’s freaking awesome.”

CBS Sports Digital

Pat Kelsey credits Louisville’s support staff with the National Coach of the Year buzz, saying…

Pat Kelsey’s turnaround of the Louisville men’s basketball program in one season has the Cardinals rated in the Top 25 for the first time in numerous seasons. They are currently one game behind Duke for the top place in the ACC.

Kelsey received the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award as the postseason approached. Kelsey refused to accept credit for the Cardinals’ accomplishment unless it referenced the entirety of his program.

“That’s the power of the unit,” Kelsey said after beating Florida State on Saturday. “We’re pretty excellent, and obviously I’m the man up on the platform who you want to talk to, and they put me on some list or whatever. It is the power of the unit. It has a strength of 25.”

Louisville’s 89-81 victory over the Seminoles marked the Cardinals’ fifth consecutive win, the longest streak in the ACC.

As Kelsey points out, the Cardinals rely on a collective effort every night. That was clear in Saturday’s victory, as four of Kelsey’s five starters scored in double figures. Chucky Hepburn led them with 29 points, 17 of which came at the charity stripe.

Kelsey feels attitude is the driving cause behind his team’s success, from the starting lineup to the three men on the bench who saw minutes and the others who did not.

“It’s everybody in that organisation having a smile on their face and doing their job with our GA’s, our student manager, our strength coach, our trainer, our scout team point guard,” she went on. “They believe, as I do, that in order for us to succeed, they must be among the best in the country at what they do. And it’s a combination of that mindset, my employees, and my faith in them. I placed my faith in them, and they perform an excellent job every day.

“I believe if everybody in the organisation is that way, I’ve said this many times, the results take care of themselves, and for the better part of this year, they have.”

Louisville will complete February with a road trip at Virginia Tech (12-15, 7-9 ACC) on Tuesday night. The game will tip off at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the ACC Network.

Pat Kelsey marvels about Leonard Hamilton’s contribution and wishes him well in retirement.

During his coaching career, Leonard Hamilton established himself as a renowned figure in collegiate basketball, leaving a lasting impression on many in the sport. This includes Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey. As the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles prepares to retire, several coaches are reflecting on his effect on their teams.

Following Louisville’s victory over Florida State on Saturday, Kelsey discussed how Hamilton has affected him and the ACC as a whole.

“I think the first thing,” Pat Kelsey stated. “And there’s a strong possibility we’ll see them again in the conference tournament, because Coach Hamilton’s teams are usually tenacious and difficult, and they’ll be playing their best basketball towards the end of the season. “I don’t want to say this is the last time I’ll play against him because there’s a chance it won’t be, but with him retiring, I came into this league 20-something years ago, 22 years ago, when I was at Wake Forest, and he was just coming into the league. His longevity, success, and he’s the longest tenured coach in this conference.”

Leonard Hamilton has been a head coach since 1986, with three collegiate stints and one NBA tenure. He has also been at Florida State since 2002. During his stay there, he was elected ACC Coach of the Year three times. Pat Kelsey began his coaching career at the same time, beginning as an assistant at Wake Forest before becoming a head coach himself, eventually moving on to Louisville.

“He is renowned not only in the ACC but around the country for his ability to maintain consistent success. His teams are usually tough, competitive, and gritty, yet he is also a world-class guy. “I didn’t get to know him personally over the years,” Kelsey explained. “But now that I’m a head coach in this league, I spend time with him during the Spring Meetings. A really sincere individual. He has a wonderful heart, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. And he’s got a lot of basketball left to keep this team playing well, but as he goes on after this year, we all wish him the best as he enters retirement, but it’s critical that we all recognise him for what he’s done to make this league great.”

TRANSCRIPT: Following a triumph against Florida State, Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey

By Michael McCammon

In Saturday afternoon’s 89-81 victory over Florida State, Hepburn scored 29 points and had five steals, while J’Vonne Hadley recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Cardinals are currently 14-2 in ACC play and 21-6 overall.

Introduction

“I want to quickly start with a few things. Outside of basketball, I really appreciate the work you guys do covering Louisville basketball. You are all professionals who give their best to their work. Additionally, we lost this week to Ben Gumbel, who was 28 years old and far too soon, as we know you know a member of your team. Someone who was passionate about his work. A person whose career was headed this way and just taking too early, I like to imagine. My sympathies, prayers, and thoughts are with Ben’s family. The catastrophe that is currently occurring in the state of Kentucky, with all of the flooding, is the second item I would want to discuss. Once more, the families of the 14 people who perished in the terrible flooding have my deepest sympathies and prayers. It’s only a reminder of how valuable life is and a conversation with our staff. There is a great sense of pride in Kentucky and being a Kentuckian in this state, despite the fact that there are Louisville and Kentucky supporters. We all lament such individuals’ passing. I think Dana included a link where people may pay to support the victims’ funerals as well as the cause of the floods and other such events. Therefore, if you feel moved to donate, it would truly make a big difference. A lot would be at stake.

In light of the fact that Coach Hamilton’s teams are always tough and tenacious and will be playing their best basketball there towards the conclusion of the season, I believe the first thing about tonight’s game is that there’s a strong possibility we’ll face them again in the conference tournament. In light of his longevity and success, I don’t want to say that this is the final time I’ll play against him because there’s a chance it won’t be. However, he is retiring, and I entered this league twenty-something or twenty-two years ago, when I was at Wake Forest and he was just starting out. In this conference, he is the coach with the longest tenure. In the ACC and around the nation, he is well-respected for his consistent success. In addition to being a world-class human being, his teams are always hardy, competitive, and gritty. Over the years, I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know him personally, but now that I’m a head coach in this league, I get to spend time with him at the Spring Meetings. really sincere individual. is kind, and I’ve had a terrific time getting to know him. We all wish him well as he enters retirement, but it’s crucial that we all recognise him for the contributions he has made to the greatness of this league. He still has a lot of basketball left to help this team play well. They were difficult, as they usually are. They continued to approach us. They never give up. And I believed that our team jumped up and shown a great deal of resilience to find a way to win in the end.

At the conclusion of the half, there were a few spells. We had a few opportunities to improve our defence in the second half, particularly in the closing minutes. Ultimately, though, we managed to secure a significant victory. [Aboubacar] Traore, in my opinion, provided us incredible energy right off the bench. I could care less about his numbers. He played a significant role in the victory. Khani Rooths offered us excellent minutes, in my opinion. All that matters is his voice, whether it’s in the sideline huddle. key Frankie [Frank Anselem-Ibe], you know, is also a key part of this victory because he keeps the boys locked in and engaged. After that, a number of guys had exciting evenings. J’Vonne Hadley scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He is a mismatch issue, as is well known. has a wide range of effects on the game. Chucky Hepburn’s stat line was astounding. He scored 29 points, had five steals, and frequently went to the free throw line. Terrence [Edwards Jr.] frequently got into difficulties for his actions. He therefore had trouble keeping up with the game’s flow, but I felt he kept giving us fantastic minutes and simply being there. And we’re just really fortunate to have won.”

The ability of Chucky Hepburn to draw fouls

“That’s very, really, really effective basketball; as we say, a free throw has the greatest percentage of any shot in the game. When discussing the shots we want to make, it goes without saying that you should attempt to make the free throw, which has the greatest percentage of any shot in the game. That’s just playing downhill and off the attack, but you also need to play with poise. In my opinion, there were instances throughout the first half when many players were taking a few what are known as Simone Biles jumpers near the rim. Additionally, Simone Biles’s shots are extremely tough to shoot. In basketball, she performs 8 million twists and other moves, and she receives a greater score because even if you double clutch and perform all of these moves, you still receive two points. Therefore, it’s a turnover when you make some strange shots against these players. When these men commit a turnover, it’s a score on the opposite end. Chucky just plays so elegantly while driving, you know, like he can, you know, draw contact on a drive, but occasionally he just gets in there and doesn’t just play heavy metal, you know, with what I call classical music playing in his brain. And there appear to be 700 men in the world. He simply maintains his composure.

Regarding the intensity of playing against a squad such as Florida State

It’s crucial, in my opinion, to constantly adapt to a game, its terminology, its physicality, or everything else it may be. Good teams, in my opinion, are able to adjust as the game progresses. They are usually tangible. They’re always hardy. They’re gritty all the time. When the game started, we were aware that it would be that way. We were aware that transitioning well was essential. Taking care of the ball and playing it cleanly was a big part of being a successful transition player. due to turnovers that result in touchdowns. They have a lot of guys that smash the glass, so defensive rebounding was going to be excellent. We just stated that there will be a rock fight after that. Out there, there was going to be the rock fight, and it was. Coach Hamilton’s teams always play that manner, so you have to be prepared for the fight when you face Florida State. That’s what they did tonight. It’s a pretty terrific college basketball game, and I believe we met that challenge.”

On the way out of Florida State

As my coach Skip Prosser used to say, “I don’t know how undersized we are, but even if you say that, we really, really value rebounding. It’s not how big you are, it’s how big you play.” We advocate for it. We instruct it. We assign grades. We rejoice in it. Rebounding is a mentality, much like defence. Toughness is the foundation of it. Clearly, there is a method behind it. You’ve struck a box out on defence; go after the ball. We also chase the ball on the attacking end, you know. Those balls in the air are treated like loose balls by our fierce warriors. We have generally been an excellent rebounding squad.

What kind of impact did J’Vonne Hadley have playing so much against the large, strong Florida St. team?

“Every team faces challenges, so I’m not here to discuss people feeling sorry for us. We had some men ill this week, so our rotation was a bit off today. Smith, like Reyne, was exhausted today. Despite not having his usual legs, he gave us excellent minutes. Noah (Waterman) experienced similar problems. Those men gave it their all and were eager to play. Due to exhaustion and other factors, we had to get them in and out of the game. Therefore, it was imperative that other individuals step up and take on greater responsibility and playing time. We had some nasty problems on our hands. Hepburn’s character, Chucky, was in hot water. Edwards Jr.’s character Terrence was having foul issues. For this reason, it’s crucial to have other men contribute, like Aboubacar (Traore), who was really impressive tonight. J’Vonne had to perform several tasks throughout his 38 minutes on the pitch. Malique Ewin, who is as good a post scorer as anyone in this league, had to be his opponent. He also had excellent feet and a wonderful hand. He is really talented. He was, I believe, last year’s junior college player of the year. J’Vonne (Hadley) was expected to perform a lot of tasks. Sometimes we instructed him to protect the greatest player on the perimeter. Sometimes we instructed him to protect the top post player. However, he simply does it while grinning. He is as much of a lunch pail as they come. He works as a blue collar and has had an incredible year for us.

Regarding the team’s reaction to FSU’s retaliation

“They go about their regular business. We talk about and concentrate a lot on that word, reaction, and it’s usually huge. There is nothing you can do about the situations that happen to you. Lose one game all year long. You miss some shots, you have a harsh call against you, players get ill, and they got wounded. They fought on. When we had leads, they went on runs, and our lads kept up the fight. You always give your opponent credit during such stretches, but I still feel like watching the footage. Coach Hamilton is an excellent coach who motivates us to take action. However, our defence needs to improve and become more reliable, which it has been for over two months. For the most part of the game, I felt we played excellent defence, but there were too many times when it was too simple to score. Our boys’ answer. This squad includes closers. It goes without saying that Chucky (Hepburn) is a man you can trust. When it comes to Terrence (Edwards Jr.), you can trust him. You can place the ball in the hands of J’Vonne (Hadley). When you need them, those guys can go make a play late in the game.

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Pat Kelsey destroys honours lists by snubbing Chucky Hepburn… Pat Kelsey comments to Chucky Hepburn’s absence from point guard award lists. ‘They got it wrong

The midseason award watch lists do not include Chucky Hepburn, a point guard for Louisville.

As the Cardinals’ leading scorer, he is an important element of Louisville’s 19-6 start to the season. He recently had 15 points and six assists in a 91-66 road win over NC State. Following the game, UL head coach Pat Kelsey chastised the list-makers for overlooking his star point guard.

“I wouldn’t trade him for any point guard in the country,” Kelly added. “And you know some of the contenders for point guard of the year, the Bob Cousy Award, whatever it is, and he wasn’t one of them. They got it wrong. I guarantee you that.

“Most of the time, you have no influence over those situations. You can’t do anything about it. All you can do is play, lead your team, and continue to win, which he does. He’s a professional every day. He’s a straight-up winner and a star on both ends of the court.”

Hepburn is averaging 15.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists for the Cardinals this season. These are career-high numbers for Hepburn, who spent his first three years of college at Wisconsin.

This season, he has scored in double digits 19 times. The Cardinals are 3-2 in games when he has held opponents under 10 points, with losses to Tennessee and Duke, both of which are presently ranked in the top 10. Hepburn has scored 20+ points four times this season, including a 32-point explosion in an overtime victory over West Virginia in November.

“I knew he was going to be really good, but I didn’t know he was going to be this good,” Kelsey said. “He’s exceptional. So, he should be at the top of any ranking of the country’s finest point guards.

“Chucky is not the sort of guy who lives only for plaudits, personal attention, and trophies. He’s more proud of wins and championships, and he’s guiding this team to a successful season, which hopefully will continue as we approach March Madness.”

Hepburn’s next game for Kelsey’s Cardinals is against Notre Dame in an ACC away game on Sunday night. Tip-off is planned for 8 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the ACC Network.

BOZICH | Pat Kelsey is the front-runner for national coach of the year; who are the other contenders?

Louisville, Kentucky (WDRB) The Associated Press men’s national college basketball coach of the year plaque is the most unusual accolade in the sport.

Let me prove it to you.

Keno Davis has received one AP Coach of the Year award.

Rick Pitino has none.

Frank Haith has received one AP Coach of the Year award.

Denny Crum had none.

Matt Doherty has received one AP Coach of the Year award.

Mike Krzyzewski earned nothing.

Is the point made?

Good. Because as we approach the middle of February, it is awards season in college basketball. College basketball, like many other sports, based many of its accolades on how a team, coach, or player does throughout the regular season.

Many awards finish their voting periods before the NCAA Tournament begins. For more information, see the records of Keno Davis (2008, Drake), Frank Haith (2012, Missouri), and Matt Doherty (2001, North Carolina).

How can Crum, Pitino, and Coach K be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame but not on the list of AP National Coach of the Year winners?

My guess: Voters favor coaches whose teams won more games than projected. The individual who goes above and beyond expectations is frequently chosen.

That being said, who are the men outperforming expectations this winter and positioned themselves to win the AP award?

By my calculation, there are seven contenders, lead by Louisville coach Pat Kelsey. I’ll rank them based on how much improvement they made at their school throughout the previous season.

Plus-7

Georgetown’s Ed Cooley, who left Providence, has led the Hoyas to a 15-9 record after starting 8-16 the previous season.

The Hoyas finished tenth in the Big East last season. They are presently sixth with victories against Creighton and Villanova. That isn’t Coach of the Year material, but Cooley has been an improvement over Patrick Ewing.

Darian DeVries, West Virginia: Following Bob Huggins’ sudden departure last season, the Mountaineers were a total wreck. But DeVries has constructed a Top 20 defense while defeating Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Iowa State. After going 8-16 in their first 24 games last season, the Mountaineers are now 15-9.

He’ll need a strong finish to win national coach of the year, but DeVries is a viable choice for the Big 12’s top coach.

Rick Pitino, St. John’s:Surprised to see this name? Do not be. Pitino is already on track to become the first coach to lead six different teams to the NCAA Tournament. With a strong finish (such as winning the Big East regular season championship), he might earn his first AP national coach of the year honor.

A year earlier, the Red Storm were 14-11 after 25 games. This Pitino club is 21-4, with four losses by three points or fewer. The Red Storm are ranked second in the country for defensive efficiency. Pitino does not have a terrific three-point shooting squad, hence the Red Storm rank 80th in offensive efficiency.

But, with his return to the top of the collegiate game following his stop at Iona, Pitino is a legitimate national story and a top coach of the year candidate.

Plus-10

Dennis Gates, Missouri: After winning 25 games in his first season, Gates was considered a coach of the year candidate. Last year, his Tigers finished 0-18 in the SEC. Ooof.

Their 18-6 record is a significant improvement from their 8-16 start last season. He has wins against Kansas, Florida, Arkansas, and both Mississippi schools. The Tigers are sixth in the SEC, which means the following three people on the list have superior credentials.

According to Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, the Commodores haven’t had a winning team since the 2012 SEC Tournament in New Orleans, led by Jeff Taylor, John Jenkins, and Festus Ezeli.

At the same point last season, Jerry Stackhouse had Vandy 7-17 overall and 2-9 in the league. Byington, a former James Madison coach, has won 17 of 24 games, including thrilling victories against Tennessee and Kentucky.

He has work to do to be considered for national coach of the year, and the competition in the SEC will be intense. But Byington has made a strong first impression in Nashville.

Plus-11

Dusty May of Michigan:Consider this a reminder of how severely the Wolverines struggled last season before dismissing Juwan Howard. Michigan finished 8-16 overall, with a 3-10 record in the Big Ten. Michigan fell against Long Beach State, McNeese State, Minnesota, and Penn State.

Check the Big Ten standings. The Wolverines (19-5, 11-2) hold a half-game lead over Purdue and a full game over Michigan State. May’s squad is ranked in the top 25 nationally for offensive and defensive efficiency. They will take their 5-game winning run to Ohio State on Sunday.

Dusty May is the Big Ten coach of the year and a top contender for the national award. I won’t even address the Indiana chitchat.

Pat Kelsey, Louisville: At this stage last season, the Cardinals had won their final game. They finished 8-17 overall, 3-11 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Cardinals can win their 20th game on Sunday night against Notre Dame. With a 12-2 record, the Cards are tied for second place in the ACC with Clemson and possess the tiebreaker.

Kelsey has done everything wonderfully, from roster construction to motivation, strategy, game day preparation, and fan engagement, propelling Louisville from dismal to scary national significance.

He leads the ACC coach of the year competition and is my selection for national coach of the year.