UNC’s coaching search at this time focuses heavily on coaches still coaching. While these coaches remain focused on winning at their current schools, UNC fans can watch some these games with extra interest as an audition of sorts. Who handles the pressure situations the best? Who comes up with the right adjustments at halftime? Whose team rises to the moment, and whose falters under the bright lights?
In order of appearance:
Ben McCollum took an Iowa team that finished 17-16 last season, with one of
the B1G’s lowest payrolls, and immediately got the Hawkeyes rolling, opening 11-2 in nonconference play. Iowa went 10-10 against its B1G slate, and it reached the Sweet 16 by out-executing #1 seed Florida at the end of a back-and-forth game. Iowa faces Nebraska, a team its beaten twice this season, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Arizona and Arkansas tip in the late slot Thursday, with Tommy Lloyd hoping to reach the Elite Eight for the first time at expense of John Calipari, whose been there 11. Lloyd appears at or near the top of most UNC target lists for a number of reasons, but a prominent one, right below “wins a lot,” would be his insistence on offensive rebounding and a style of offense that in some ways resembles Roy Williams’. Bonus debate: some UNC fans hope Lloyd loses and inks with UNC soon thereafter, while others think he’s coming regardless and want him to go as far as possible. What say you?
Friday’s first window sees two candidates frequently mentioned as possibilities go head to head. Dusty May’s Michigan and Nate Oats’ Alabama tip at 7:35 p.m. May inherited the Michigan job from Wolverine and Fab Five alum Juwan Howard, who missed the NCAA tournament in 2023 and then was let go in 2024 with the team sitting at 8-24. May immediately turned things around, reaching the Sweet 16 last season and guiding Michigan to a #1 seed in this one with former UNC PG Elliot Cadeau.
Fun fact I did not realize until researching this piece: while a small sample, May’s the first Michigan basketball coach with a career win percentage north of .667 since 1931. We just dismissed one sitting at .698; never say UNC lacks standards. May’s won at an .825 clip so far.
Oats sits behind a $10 million buy-out, at a school that generates around $90 million more annually than UNC and makes clear it intends to keep him. His offenses can run teams out of gyms. His defense often can get his teams run out of the gym. Oats is a coach whose agent isn’t going to let jobs like UNC (and probably Kansas) come open without trying to use those to get his guy a better deal. Interest from UNC seems to be low at the moment. Upsetting Michigan and then getting to a second Final Four might alter that.
Iowa State, minus its best player, crushed Kentucky in the second half in the round of 32, just as many UNC fans were hearing TJ Otzelberger’s name for the first time. Those who watched that performance came away extremely impressed. Note that Iowa State reportedly had half the payroll of UNC this season. Iowa State takes on Tennessee for the final spot in the Elite Eight Friday at 10:10 pm. Added bonus: rooting against Rick Barnes. Double bonus: rooting against Tennessee. Go Cyclones.
Join us in the comments below with your thoughts as we watch what could be UNC’s next men’s basketball coach try to survive and advance.
