– Houston: Kelvin Sampson, now 70, has gone a remarkable 35-5, 32-5, 33-4, 32-6 and 28-4 the last five seasons. This year, he wins the Big One and retires.
St. John's head coach Rick Pitino admires the tournment trophy after a game against Creighton in the championship of the Big East Conference, March 15, 2025, in New York.
– St. John's: Rick Pitino, now 73, has won 885 games in 38 college coaching seasons. His second year at St. John's could help him win a third NCAA championship.
– BYU: The Cougars have only reached the Elite Eight once, in 1981 with Danny Ainge, now 66, at point guard. This is the Cougars' best team since then.
– Tennessee: Rick Barnes, now 71, has reached just one Final Four in 29 years and through 836 victories as a head coach. This could be No. 2.
Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at GHansenAZStar@gmail.com. On X(Twitter): @ghansen711
Greg Hansen
Columnist
Greg Hansen shares his Big 12 men's basketball predictions
