Before the season, we took a look at five first year college basketball coaches whose successes or failures would be most interested to follow during their initial seasons. Now that we’re nearing the end of conference play, it’s time for us to look back on those coaches and see how they’re doing.
1.) Shaka Smart, Texas Longhorns
Why are we so shocked that Smart has a veteran group playing their best ball in the past few years right when it counts most? The Longhorns have won six of their last seven games, with the one loss coming on the road and by nine points to the Kansas Jayhawks, setting themselves up for an NCAA Tournament berth come Selection Sunday. Not only does he have things rolling with this current group, but he’s got a recruiting class made up of three more four-star prospect sin line to get on campus next. We all knew Smart would succeed in Austin, we just didn’t know if he could get this group to buy in. Clearly, he has.
2.) Steve Prohm, Iowa State
It’s not that Prohm stepped into a difficult situation, per se. But this season had the chance to be a lose-lose regardless. If he wins with this group, then he only did it with the former coach’s roster. If he loses, then he couldn’t capitalize on being gifted a top-ten roster. We’re also not saying that we feel bad for him, but that’s the life of a college basketball coach these days. The pressure to win immediately is tremendous, and with the Cyclones sitting at 16-6 but just 5-4 in Big 12 play, the pressure is even greater on Prohm.
3.) Will Wade, VCU
In the first edition of this article, we talked about how the first signs of struggle for Wade would be scrutinized, possibly unfairly. Well, the Rams started 5-5 thanks to a three game losing streak and all they’ve done is rattle off 12-straight wins to sit on top of the Atlantic 10 standings, above the likes of Dayton and St. Joseph’s. This has been one of the most unheralded coaches jobs of the year, nationally.
4.) Bobby Hurley, Arizona State
If there is one thing you can’t knock Hurley for, it’s passion. He’s been very animated on the sideline this season, even picking up his fair share of technical fouls, but it seems to have motivated his team to play with an increased level of grit and physicality. Still, the Sun Devils are just 2-8 in conference play, sitting just above last place Washington State.
5.) Ben Howland, Mississippi State
Expectations weren’t very high for the Bulldogs this season, not with the amount of injuries and transfers over the offseason, but they’ve often looked much worse than anticipated. Freshman Malik Newman has improved as the season has progressed, but it’s been senior Gavin Ware who’s made the biggest offensive impact. If Howland can convince Newman that he needs another year, MSU could be in business.
