At Sweet 16, the coaches supply the star power. We rank them 1-16

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At Sweet 16, the coaches supply the star power. We rank them 1-16

At Sweet 16, the coaches supply the star power. We rank them 1-16

Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Mar 25, 2026 ·

6 min read

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If the performance matches the coaching talent , then this Sweet 16 will be elite.

This NCAA Tournament didn't give us much in the way of Cinderella. Instead, we'll see a who's who list of coaches from Power conferences this week. As good as players like Darius Acuff Jr. and Cameron Boozer are, the coaches supply the top star power in this March Madness.

RE-SEEDING THE SWEET 16: Separating the contenders from pretenders

Here's my ranking of the Sweet 16 coaches, with the caveat there's no true weak link on this list:

How sweet it is. Sixteen teams remain in the March Madness 2026 tournament. Here are some top players and matchups to watch.
**No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 Purdue**Texas: Matas Vokietaitis

(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)

**No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2**Purdue Purdue: Braden Smith

(Christine Tannous, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)

**No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 Nebraska**Iowa: Bennett Stirtz

(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)

**No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 Nebraska**Nebraska: Pryce Sandfort

(BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

**No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Arizona**Arkansas: Darius Acuff Jr.

(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)

**No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Arizona**Arizona: Brayden Burries

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

**No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 Houston**Illinois: Keaton Wagler

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

**No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 Houston**Houston: Emanuel Sharp

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

**No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 Duke**St. John's: Zuby Ejiofor

(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

**No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 Duke**Duke: Cameron Boozer

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

**No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan**Alabama: Labaron Philon Jr.

(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)

**No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan**Michigan: Yaxel Lendeborg

(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)

**No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConn**Michigan State: Jeremy Fears Jr. (1)

(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)

**No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConn**UConn: Alex Karaban

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

**No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State**Tennessee: Ja’Kobi Gillespie (0)

(Saul Young, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)

**No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State**Iowa State: Milan Momcilovic

(William Purnell, Imagn Images)

16. Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

Commission the statue in Lincoln, Nebraska. Hoiberg led the Huskers to their first NCAA win in program history . Two days later, they got their second tourney win . Basketball looks good on Nebraska all of a sudden. Hoiberg's NBA foray was a bust, but he was quite good at Iowa State and now historic for Nebraska. No shame being No. 16 on this list of luminaries.

15. TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

It's a testament to the Sweet 16 coaching talent that Otzelberger ranks this low. Iowa State won just two games the year before his arrival. Insert Otzelberger. He won 22 games in his first season, then continued winning more and more with blue-collar teams that defend the heck out of you. His tournament record is 7-6. Polish that a smidge, and Otzelberger will keep trending up.

14. Ben McCollum, Iowa

If you needed any more proof McCollum can flat-out coach, he just bested wunderkind Todd Golden, and his Hawkeyes stunned No. 1 Florida . McCollum won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State , then turned Drake into a Cinderella success story, and now he's in the Sweet 16 in Year 1 at Iowa. Buy your stock in McCollum, 44, now.

MORE: Why Ben McCollum is top newcomer coach in Big Ten

13. Brad Underwood, Illinois

Underwood restored a program that had lost its way into top-20 status, where it belongs. He's an NCAA Tournament regular, dating to his years as a Cinderella at Stephen F. Austin. A hard-nosed, high-intensity coach, he's starting to develop a calling card for signing and developing international talent. Consider his latest team the Euro-Illini.

12. Sean Miller, Texas

Miller's career winning percentage tops .700, and he's made the Elite Eight four times. Pretty good. Two critiques, aside from that whole corruption scandal at Arizona: His resume lacks a Final Four, and his predecessors were better (Thad Matta at Xavier and Lute Olsen at Arizona). At age 57, he's got time to make Texas his best stint yet.

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Kansas Jayhawks cheerleaders perform before a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the St. John's Red Storm at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, Calif.
(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)

Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

(SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)

Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)

VCU Rams fans react after a 3-pointer by Terrence Hill Jr. #6 of the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)

Howard Bison cheerleaders perform during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Michigan Wolverines at Keybank Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)

BYU Cougars cheerleader in the second half against the Texas Longhorns during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

Former North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams is seen in the crowd against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Mar 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Texas A&M Aggies cheerleaders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)

Texas Longhorns band in the first half against the BYU Cougars during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Portland.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

St. John's Red Storm mascot Johnny Thunder mixes with players prior to taking the court during practice day ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 19, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

The High Point Panthers fans cheer during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)

The High Point Panthers cheerleaders react during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

The North Dakota State Bison mascot and cheerleaders pose for a photo before the game against the Michigan State Spartans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY
(Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images)

Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer after defeating the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

The Wisconsin Badgers mascot performs during a time out during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

A view of Buddy the Street Dog as Queens University of Charlotte Royals guard Yoav Berman talks to the media during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2026.
(Jeff Le, Imagn Images)

The High Point Panthers band performs prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

High Point Panthers fans cheer prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

The Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders preform during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

The South Florida Bulls mascot performs during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)

The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleaders perform in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

The Troy Trojans mascot dances on the floor during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
(William Purnell, William Purnell-Imagn Images)

The UCF Knights band performs during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

Nebraska Cornhuskers cheerleaders perform during the second half against the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)

A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader performs during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
(Craig Strobeck, Imagn Images)

The Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders perform in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Akron Zips fans in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Santa Clara Broncos fans react to game play against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St. Louis, MO.
(Jeff Le, Jeff Le-Imagn Images)

Akron Zips cheerleaders and mascot in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Wright State Raiders fans celebrate after a Wright State Raiders guard TJ Burch (22) scores during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA.
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

Hofstra Pride cheerleaders in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Garth Noble of the Louisville pep band is amped at the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness basketball tournament at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Kentucky. March 21, 2026.
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)

Michigan head coach Dusty May high-fives players after 95-72 win over Saint Louis at the NCAA Tournament Second Round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish band and spirit squad cheer during the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament against the Fairfield Stags at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 21, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

11. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

Lloyd's record in five seasons at Arizona sparkles, and he's a couple of wins away from having his national profile skyrocket. His Wildcats smoothly pivoted from the Pac-12 to the Big 12. Why not rank him higher? Well, Lloyd hasn't advanced past the Sweet 16. Past teams didn't live up to their NCAA seed. His latest team could change how we look at Lloyd.

10. Rick Barnes, Tennessee

Barnes should've made more than one Final Four at Texas. He endured a few tourney fizzles at Tennessee, too. He's no shark in March. That's a familiar critique. The upsides are clear, though. His teams always play defense. He thrives in the shadows at football schools. He's an NCAA Tournament regular. He's a no-drama coach seeking a third straight Elite Eight.

9. Matt Painter, Purdue

Painter gets consistent results without signing McDonald's All Americans. You could focus on what he isn't — a national champion — or you could credit his consistent success , even if his teams come up short of the pinnacle in March. Gene Keady became a Purdue legend. Painter has been a notch better than Keady. Some might call that legendary, too .

8. John Calipari, Arkansas

No mystery as to Calipari's strategy. A recruiting dynamo with ample funding, he's going to assemble McDonald's All Americans, roll the ball out, and let the freshmen play. That strategy worked until it didn't at Kentucky . A change of scenery to Arkansas suited him . He's two wins away from becoming the first coach to take four schools to the Final Four.

7. Jon Scheyer, Duke

A legend's succession plan doesn't often unfold as smoothly as this one did. Scheyer kept Duke humming, and so Mike Krzyzewski can enjoy retirement. Duke is a recruiting machine, and credit Scheyer for getting return on that investment. Just 38 years old, he's gotten better each season. After last year's Final Four, the next task is obvious: National title .

6. Nate Oats, Alabama

Oats' teams have an established identity. His Crimson Tide will shoot a lot of 3s. And they'll make a lot of 3s, consistently ranking among the nation's most prolific offensive teams. He's a force of consistency, too, with four straight Sweet 16s, including the program's first Final Four in 2024. He turned a football school into a basketball force.

5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Call it a rite of spring. Mister March is back in the Sweet 16 for the 17th time . Izzo's 2000 Spartans remain the last Big Ten team to win a national title , and just when it had started to look like he'd entered the twilight of his career, he's enjoyed a renaissance, with 57 wins the past two seasons.

4. Dusty May, Michigan

Others on this list have a longer list of career accomplishments, but there aren't many coaches you'd rather have in this moment than the 49-year-old May. He took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, and Michigan is roaring in his second season. He's 120-26 the past four seasons. Superb.

3. Kelvin Sampson, Houston

Sampson's teams consistently rank among the nation's best defensively. He's an excellent in-game tactician, too. The 70-year-old Sampson gets better with age. He's won 30-plus games in five straight seasons. He came oh-so-close to his first national title last season. Perhaps, these Cougars will give him that final line on the resume.

2. Rick Pitino, St. John's

How many rings would Pitino have if he'd never left Kentucky? Big Blue Nation must wonder. As it is, he's got two rings. Pitino and John Calipari are the only coaches to lead three schools to a Final Four. Now, he's got St. John's into its first Sweet 16 since 1999. Pitino's NCAA Tournament record is 57-22. Insanely good.

1. Dan Hurley, UConn

If nice guys finish last, what's the opposite of that? Guys who throw temper-tantrums finishing first. No matter what you think of his antics, there's no denying Hurley's success. He just keeps winning, with a chance at three national titles in the past four seasons. Hurley elevated UConn to blue-blood status.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking college basketball Sweet 16 coaches, Dan Hurley to Fred Hoiberg

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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness

16. Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

15. TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

14. Ben McCollum, Iowa

13. Brad Underwood, Illinois

12. Sean Miller, Texas

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

11. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

10. Rick Barnes, Tennessee

9. Matt Painter, Purdue

8. John Calipari, Arkansas

7. Jon Scheyer, Duke

6. Nate Oats, Alabama

5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

4. Dusty May, Michigan

3. Kelvin Sampson, Houston

2. Rick Pitino, St. John's

1. Dan Hurley, UConn