Apparently, “pressure” can mean many different things.
Because when we asked our men’s college basketball staff to identify the coach under the most pressure this season, answers — and interpretations of the question — varied dramatically.
Some, naturally, went for the scorching hot seats. (Unfortunately, per usual, the ACC earned multiple mentions.) But others picked coaches whose teams should be good this season … and who might face some heat if they’re not.
It’s also worth noting: This list is not exhaustive. Can Dan Hurley get UConn back to being a national title contender, for example, months after he almost walked away from coaching? How does Duke’s Jon Scheyer follow up an all-time roster (and NCAA Tournament collapse) without Cooper Flagg? Can Kevin Young make good on BYU’s basketball investment and maximize AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the country? And how will Steven Pearl look taking over for his dad at Auburn, especially after losing his first exhibition game?
Questions abound, but these are the coaches (in alphabetical order) that we’re most focused on heading into the season:
Adrian Autry, Syracuse
The correct answer is probably Hubert Davis, but I also wonder if the tire fire raging on the football side gives him some cover, particularly if North Carolina has to marshal resources to make an expensive change. As for Autry: No such escape from the klieg light. Syracuse can’t afford for apathy to set in on men’s basketball. Retaining talent and bringing in transfer portal help actually amps up the pressure: If Autry can’t demonstrate profound improvement with that, why wait any longer? — Brian Hamilton
It reminds me of the situation Kyle Neptune and Villanova faced last season — the successor to a Hall of Famer entering Year 3 with no NCAA Tournaments to show for it. We saw how that turned out at Nova, with the school firing Neptune last March. Syracuse is coming off its worst season since the 1960s and at risk of a fifth consecutive tourney-less season, and there’s a hint of fan apathy. My colleague Brendan Marks writes that the pieces are there to be better (including the son of Carmelo Anthony), so it’s a prove-it season. — Mark Cooper
Hubert Davis, North Carolina
In the last three years, he’s missed one NCAA Tournament and made another as an 11-seed. That’s not acceptable at North Carolina. There are other coaches on the hot seat, but none with the amount of attention as UNC. — CJ Moore
I was trying to think of someone else, to differ from the crowd … but the answer is Davis. Yes, he made the national championship game (and ended Mike Krzyzewski’s career) in his debut season, but the Tar Heels’ inconsistency simply isn’t tenable. Simply put, UNC should never be on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament twice in three seasons. Davis has a top-25 roster this season (that costs top-25 money, it should be noted), and it’s about time that North Carolina gets back to its typical standard. I hesitate to say Davis has to win a certain number of games to keep his job, but if the Tar Heels aren’t comfortably in the Big Dance this season — and if they don’t win a game or two — then North Carolina’s boosters may force a move. — Brendan Marks
Blue-blood jobs rarely open in college basketball. However, UNC might have had one this past March if the Tar Heels had not won eight of their final 10 to sneak in the NCAA Tournament’s back door. With an expensive roster featuring proven postseason contributors like Henri Veesaar and Kyan Evans, plus coveted collegiate newcomers in Caleb Wilson and Luka Bogavac, Davis must win at a level commensurate with his prestigious gig. — Jim Root
Though maybe the auspicious debut season of Chapel Bill makes everything else at UNC look not so bad by comparison. But seriously, the North Carolina coach can’t have a non-NCAA team and a barely NCAA team in two out of three seasons and feel comfortable. It’s time to get going. — Joe Rexrode
The combination of North Carolina’s brand plus the team’s lack of success puts Davis under the most pressure this season. I am very concerned about the team’s offense after losing much of its scoring last year. — Matthew Ho
Arizona State went 13-20 last season — its worst record in Bobby Hurley’s 10 seasons in charge. Christian Petersen / Getty Images
Bobby Hurley, Arizona State
Casual college hoops fans are no doubt perplexed at the fact that Hurley’s been able to hang on for so long given his record (168-151 in 10 seasons), his reputation for crashing out and the fact that ASU has missed the NCAA Tournament five of the last six years. Reality is, his name draws a lot of attention. The Sun Devils are projected to be one of the worst teams in the Big 12. If they are, how much longer can he hang around in Tempe? — Lindsay Schnell
In nine seasons, Hurley and the Sun Devils have struggled to put together consistent, successful seasons, going 83-104 in conference play and only making the NCAA Tournament three times, most recently in 2022-23. Arizona State brought in seven transfers, highlighted by Marcus Adams Jr. (Cal State Northridge) and Moe Odum (Pepperdine). It’s a pivotal season for Hurley, but his roster has major concerns and playing in a gauntlet like the Big 12 will do him no favors. — Tobias Bass
Pat Kelsey, Louisville
There are high expectations for Louisville in Kelsey’s second year. After a promising first season that ended with a first-round NCAA Tournament loss, Cardinals fans will want to see the program make considerable strides this season. — Justin Williams
Rick Pitino, St. John’s
The Johnnies should be one of the regular season’s most entertaining rides once again, but bowing out before the Sweet Sixteen would make it all feel like a waste of time. That’s typical March pressure, but they need to take care of enough business in a somewhat thin Big East to end up with a high seed and again minimize their chances of seeing a John Calipari-type on the tourney’s first weekend. — Eric Single
Kevin Willard, Villanova
The split with Maryland was messy, even cringeworthy, despite a Sweet 16 appearance. Now that Willard has the resources he is seeking, he’d better win. — Scott Dochterman
