Credit to Underwood for adapting to the way the college game is coached and taking his game, and the Illini program to the next level. He’s gone from a top 25 coach to probably a top 7 or 8 coach in the country IMO.
Overall ranking all things considered:
Hurley #1 i hate to admit it but with back to back, hard to argue with the tool being here.
Self # 2
Few # 3
Izzo # 4
Drew #5
Sampson #6
Underwood # 7 - Omitted completely from Top 25 CBS article linked.
Bennett #8
Admittedly I left off these guys:
Painter, lets see the level of success without Edey long term, otherwise the argument is there to be made.
Oats, No way not yet, off court just adds to it.
Cal - So underperforming as of late, reputation doesn't equate to wins all the time
Pitino - Scandal, walk aways, and now at St. Johns a "safety" net kind of gig.
Cronin is no where near the Top 10 or so imo.
Mussleman seems to recruit and then underwhelm.,
Pearl - Dion Thomas nuf said.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-coaching-rankings-the-top-25-and-1-coaches-as-the-2023-24-season-gets-underway/