Top to Bottom: Big Ten Basketball Coaches

In recent years there has been an influx of coaching talent in the Big Ten. Tubby Smith, John Beilein, Todd Lickliter, and Tom Crean have all joined the Big Ten over the past two seasons.

Between the Big Ten coaches, there are two NCAA championships and eight final four appearances. Across the Midwest, the debate rages on: Who are the best and worst coaches in the conference? Which coaches are most likely to build up the Big Ten's reputation as a power basketball conference, and which coaches are likely to destroy that reputation with their inability to effectively coach and/or recruit?

No. 11: Bill Carmody

Conference Championships: 1997 (Princeton), 1998 (Princeton)

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Like DeChellis, is usually good for an upset or two during Big Ten play.

The bad: Has had 15, 14, 13, and eight wins in his last four seasons, and in that order.

No. 10: Ed DeChellis

Conference Championships: none

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Always seems to pull an upset during Big Ten play.

The bad: 56-91 overall record at Penn State with little improvement throughout his tenure.

No. 9: Todd Lickliter

Conference Championships: 2002 (Butler), 2003 (Butler), 2007 (Butler)

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Did a great job at Butler, taking them to two Sweet Sixteens.

The bad: Average recruiter. It has yet to be seen how well he can recruit at Iowa.

No. 8: Bruce Weber

Conference Championships: 2004, 2005

Final Four Appearances: 2005

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Built Southern Illinois into a consistent tournament team before taking over at Illinois.

The bad: Hasn't proven if he can win with his own players at Illinois.

No. 7: Matt Painter

Conference Championships: 2004 (Southern Illinois)

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Has displayed constant improvement at Purdue under his tenure.

The bad: Hit or miss recruiter who lacks the ability to land big recruits outside the state of Indiana. His first three recruiting classes in the Big Ten were total whiffs. He had a great class in 2007, but 2008 and 2009 are shaping up to be less than stellar.

No. 6: John Beilein

Conference Championships: none

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Has the ability to overachieve with less talent. Took West Virginia to back-to-back Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen.

The bad: Taking West Virginia to back-to-back Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen is so far the pinnacle of his career.

No. 5: Tom Crean

Conference Championships: 2003 (Marquette)

Final Four Appearances: 2003 (Marquette)

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Averaged 20 wins per year between 1999 and 2008 while at Marquette. During his first six months, he assembled a top 10 recruiting class at Indiana while under recruiting restrictions.

The bad: Has made only one deep run in the NCAA tourney, with future NBA all-star Dwyane Wade in 2003.

No. 4: Thad Matta

Conference Championships: 2001 (Butler), 2002 (Xavier), 2003 (Xavier), 2006, 2007

Final Four Appearances: 2007

NCAA Championships: none

The good: Has a 101-35 record in four years in the Big Ten. Outstanding recruiter.

The bad: Wins games with great talent rather than great coaching.

No. 3: Tubby Smith

Conference Championships: none

Final Four Appearances: 1998 (Kentucky)

NCAA Championships: 1998 (Kentucky)

The good: Won the NCAA Tourney his first year at Kentucky followed up with three trips to the Elite Eight.

The bad: Excellent recruiter, but players usually fall short of their potential and this team under-performs.

No. 2: Bo Ryan

Conference Championships: 2002, 2003, 2008

Final Four Appearances: none

NCAA Championships: none

The good: The current leader in overall winning percentage in the entire NCAA among coaches with at least 20 years of head coaching experience (including Divisions II and III). Won four NCAA championships (Div-III) at UW-Platteville.

The bad: Inability to win big games. UW is known for beating up on lesser teams and rarely being upset. However, they also rarely pull an upset themselves, especially in the NCAA tourney.

No. 1: Tom Izzo

Conference Championships: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

Final Four Appearances: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005

NCAA Championships: 2000

The good: Since he became head coach, every player he has recruited and who completed full eligibility has gone to the Final Four. AP National Coach of the Year (1998).

The bad: None.