WSUbballer wrote:Coaches projected at 4th and beyond have better chances at receiving the award because they can overachieve. The teams picked in the top 3 are expected to do so they get less consideration. It's safe to say there is an abundance of koolaid this time of the year for some fans. More power to yah. I just hope you don't blow your brains out if your teams don't meet the desired and lofty expectations.
I agree with this and while I think the pre-season tab will be Marshall, I see him as having a more difficult time "living with expectations." In other words, if WSU wins, it will be more of by how much and not just the winning that will determine if Marshall actually wins it. Note that Jacobson/UNI won by a large margin last year after being tabbed. I'm thinking WSU needs that 2-3 game cushion to be comfortable.
I think Cuonzo might actually have a better shot as MSU will likely not be picked to win and if they can, he will get that bump.
Any other coach will have to such surprising improvement (picked 9th finish 3rd) and have WSU only win by a game or win the conference.