In an effort to talk about something college basketball-related other than scandals in the summer, let's talk best current coaches. We'll attempt to order the top 25 current coaches in the nation. This is about the present and the future, not the distant past. What a guy did in the mid-90s doesn't matter near as much as the direction his program is currently headed. Past pedigree also matters, to an extent. For the perfect mix of past accomplishments with present achievement and a paved road for future success, look no further than the man atop the list.
In 2008, the Big Ten sent only four teams to the NCAA tournament. None reached the Elite Eight The Big Ten toiled down with mid-majors in conference RPI and were nationally maligned as the "Average 11." This past season, however, the league enjoyed a resurgence. It ranked only behind the ACC in conference RPI. Seven schools earned a berth into the NCAA tournament, and Penn State won the NIT. Michigan State toppled the defending national champions and two number one seeds en route to a national runner-up finish.
BOSTON -- Tubby Smith is much too dignified to laugh out loud, or LOL in the text-message age. But for all the abuse he took at Kentucky during a decade that was absolutely dreadful -- a national championship, a 263-83 record, an NCAA tournament appearance every season, just horrendous stuff -- who could blame him if he wanted to giggle to himself Friday?
Seems the bluegrass has turned to fertilizer in Lexington.
The Northwestern Wildcats started the year as the only team in a BCS conference to have never made an NCAA tournament. After Thursday afternoon's loss to Minnesota, they will end the year in the same spot.
As for Minnesota, their ticket should be punched. They are now 22-9, with an RPI hovering around 40. If the Gophers really want to nail down their first tourney berth since 2005, they could upset Michigan State Friday, though that doesn't seem likely or necessary.
First of all, allow us a moment to give Penn State some credit. They had never won 10 Big Ten games in one season until they garnered their tenth of 2009 Thursday night. They apparently have a flair for the dramatic, as they trailed by six with under two minutes left. A Stanley Pringle three, a huge offensive board -- followed by two free throws -- from David Jackson, some good defense, and a clutch runner from Talor Battle propelled them to an unbelievable victory over a very solid Illinois team for the second time this season.
College basketball has gone past the halfway point of the conference season. Now every game takes on greater importance for the teams that are trying to make the NCAA Tournament. FanHouse will take a look at the teams that find somewhere between the NCAA or NIT.
Team: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 20-8 (8-8 Big Ten)
Good Wins: Louisville (neutral), Illinois (home), Wisconsin (road), Ohio State (home)
Bad Losses: There's nothing awful here. The two losses to below 60 RPI teams were to Penn State and Northwestern, and both were on the road.
Penn State defeated Minnesota Saturday, 68-63, as Talor Battle returned to the "leading scorer" column with 21 points to lead the Nittany Lions. The bubble watch implications, however, were much more important than the actual game results.
It once looked like a foregone conclusion that Minnesota was on their way to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. Now, Tubby Smith's Golden Gophers have lost three of their last four games. In fact, they have gone 3-5 since running their record to 16-1 -- and two of those three wins were against conference doormat Indiana.
With just over a month in the books and most teams having played about half their conference schedule, let's check out the big boys of the Midwest. We're seeing a slight upheaval when it comes to traditional powers, as Indiana and Wisconsin sit in the bottom third of the standings, Northwestern is respectable, and Penn State is in the mix toward the top.
At this point, the conference is very balanced, and much stronger than it has been in recent years. They have a shot at seven bids for the Big Dance, but six is the more likely number.
Heading into Thursday's game, Illinois was one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten. The Illini averaged 70 points a game, and shot a conference-best 47.9 percent from the field. The best part about them, though, was that they had such a balanced attack. Four players averaged between 10.9 and 12.5 points per game. The next four all averaged between 5.5 and 5.9 points a game. Simply put, they can shoot the ball, and they can beat you with any number of weapons.
Thursday night, however, belonged to the defense of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their 59-36 win.
I guess the fact that Tubby Smith's two previous head coaching jobs came in the same conference as Alabama make it a quasi-logical destination. Other than that, though, there is little substance here.
In 2008, the 
BOSTON -- 
The Northwestern Wildcats started the year as the only team in a BCS conference to have never made an NCAA tournament. After Thursday afternoon's loss to Minnesota, they will end the year in the same spot.
First of all, allow us a moment to give Penn State some credit. They had never won 10 Big Ten games in one season until they garnered their tenth of 2009 Thursday night. They apparently have a flair for the dramatic, as they trailed by six with under two minutes left. A 
College basketball has gone past the halfway point of the conference season. Now every game takes on greater importance for the teams that are trying to make the NCAA Tournament. FanHouse will take a look at the teams that find somewhere between the 
Penn State defeated Minnesota Saturday, 68-63, as 
With just over a month in the books and most teams having played about half their conference schedule, let's check out the big boys of the Midwest. We're seeing a slight upheaval when it comes to traditional powers, as Indiana and Wisconsin sit in the bottom third of the standings, Northwestern is respectable, and Penn State is in the mix toward the top. 
Heading into Thursday's game, Illinois was one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten. The Illini averaged 70 points a game, and shot a conference-best 47.9 percent from the field. The best part about them, though, was that they had such a balanced attack. Four players averaged between 10.9 and 12.5 points per game. The next four all averaged between 5.5 and 5.9 points a game. Simply put, they can shoot the ball, and they can beat you with any number of weapons. 
Apparently, 
