By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The sidelines at the St. Pete Times Forum this week are full of star power. Florida's Billy Donovan has two NCAA titles on his resume. Here's a look at four others who walk among the elite with Donovan's take on each:
Ben Howland, UCLA
He is one of just three coaches in NCAA history to win at least 30 games in three consecutive seasons, and he has taken three schools to the NCAA Tournament in his 17-year career. He led the Bruins to the Final Four from 2006-08.
Donovan: "I think Ben has been a system-guy on defense, terrific at pick-and-rolls, trapping the post, a lot of different things there. So it's been good for him."
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
A four-time national coach of the year, he has six Final Four appearances and one national title in 16 seasons. He has led his team to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He's the longest-serving active Big Ten head coach and one of six in Big Ten history to win six league titles.
Donovan: "We both started out as assistants about the same time. I think Tom Izzo has been very effective because he's got a system and a style that he's going to play to each and every year, which is rebound and defense."
Bob Huggins, West Virginia
In 29 seasons he has won 690 games and has been named national coach of the year five times. He's fourth in total victories among active Division I head coaches. He has made 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, with two Final Fours and four in the Elite Eight.
Donovan: "I know him real well. I think his thing is the same thing — defense has been really something that he's done and the way they've played."
John Calipari, Kentucky
He is making his 13th NCAA Tournament appearance, with a .700 record that includes a national runner-up finish (2008), two Final Fours, six Elite Eights and eight round of 16 appearances.
Donovan: "John I've known for a long time, our days go back to being at Five-Star (camp) together. We've known each other for a long, long time. Cal has really, really capitalized on really getting high-level talent and utilizing the one-and-done, something that's been very, very effective for him."
Antonya English, Times staff writer