Midseason Report: Ranking the Top 12 Men’s Coach of the Year Contenders

At the midpoint of the men’s college basketball season, the Coach of the Year race is as wide open as it’s ever been — and that’s no accident. In the modern era of transfer portals, NIL deals, and roster churn, judging coaching excellence isn’t just about wins and losses anymore. Today’s elite coaches wear multiple hats: tactician, recruiter, roster architect, and crisis manager. Preseason expectations matter less. Adaptability matters more.

With conference play heating up and futures markets beginning to take shape, BetNow breaks down the 12 coaches making the strongest case for National Coach of the Year as we head into the season’s most important stretch.

🥇 1. Tommy Lloyd – Arizona

If dominance had a face this season, it would be Arizona. Lloyd has the Wildcats undefeated deep into the calendar, stacking elite road wins and sitting comfortably atop the national rankings. Despite losing multiple high-impact players from last year, Arizona looks deeper, sharper, and more complete than ever. This isn’t just winning — it’s sustained excellence, and bettors have taken notice.

Betting angle: Arizona’s futures value has nearly vanished — and for good reason.

🥈 2. Fred Hoiberg – Nebraska

From Big Ten afterthought to national headline, Nebraska’s turnaround is one of the stories of the year. Hoiberg silenced every hot-seat rumor with a historic start, guiding the Cornhuskers to a program-record winning streak and legitimate conference title contention.

Betting angle: Nebraska has been one of the most profitable ATS teams in the country.

🥉 3. Mark Byington – Vanderbilt

Byington has Vanderbilt playing like a program reborn. Picked near the bottom of the SEC, the Commodores instead stormed into the Top 25 and look like a lock for the NCAA tournament. The leap from Year 1 to Year 2 under Byington has been massive — and sustainable.

Betting angle: Vanderbilt is no longer a “fade” spot in SEC play.

4. Dusty May – Michigan

Michigan isn’t just good — it’s terrifying. After last season’s rapid rebuild, May now has the Wolverines operating like a title contender, crushing elite nonconference opponents and living in the top five of the polls. Losing starters hasn’t slowed them down one bit.

Betting angle: Michigan’s neutral-court dominance matters come March.

5. Bill Self – Kansas

Injuries. Uncertainty. Constant lineup adjustments. None of it has knocked Kansas off course. Bill Self continues to prove why he’s one of the sport’s all-time greats, keeping the Jayhawks balanced on both ends despite missing their most important star for long stretches.

Betting angle: Kansas remains undervalued in in-game markets when shorthanded.

6. Brad Underwood – Illinois

Roster turnover didn’t faze Underwood. Illinois boasts the nation’s most efficient offense and has delivered statement wins even without key contributors. Rebuilding on the fly is hard — doing it while improving efficiency is elite coaching.

Betting angle: Illinois overs have been gold.

7. T.J. Otzelberger – Iowa State

Consistency defines Otzelberger’s tenure. Iowa State keeps reloading, keeps defending, and keeps winning. Another top seed appears inevitable, and the Cyclones look built for a deep tournament run.

Betting angle: Iowa State thrives as a road underdog.

8. Tom Izzo – Michigan State

No portal splash. No five-star shortcuts. Just development. Izzo has elevated returning players into high-level contributors, turning experience into an edge. It’s old-school coaching — and it still works.

Betting angle: Michigan State late-season improvement is historically real.

9. Travis Steele – Miami (Ohio)

Unbeaten deep into the season, conference favorite slayer, and program history rewritten. Steele has Miami (Ohio) nationally relevant for the first time in decades, earning every bit of this recognition.

Betting angle: The RedHawks have been undervalued away from home.

10. Jon Scheyer – Duke

Youth hasn’t stopped Duke. Scheyer continues winning with freshmen in a veteran-heavy sport, led by a National Player of the Year candidate and elite efficiency on both ends. The Blue Devils are built differently — and it shows.

Betting angle: Duke futures still carry upside.

11. Bucky McMillan – Texas A&M

“Bucky Ball” has officially arrived in the SEC — and it’s working. Picked near the bottom, Texas A&M now sits among conference leaders, despite returning zero rotation players. Tempo, pressure, and belief have changed everything.

Betting angle: Aggies games offer volatility — and opportunity.

12. Josh Schertz – Saint Louis

If roster construction mattered as much as coaching, Schertz might be even higher. His portal work transformed Saint Louis into a two-way force, combining shooting, depth, and efficiency. Few coaches have added more immediate value to a program.

Betting angle: Saint Louis is a sleeper in tournament formats.

Final Take

Coach of the Year isn’t just about wins anymore — it’s about maximizing chaos, and these 12 coaches have mastered it. As March approaches, expect this race to tighten, narratives to shift, and betting markets to react fast.

📊 Stay ahead of the action with odds, insights, and futures at BetNow.