Several expected college basketball national championship contenders in 2025-26 have coaches who have yet to hoist the title trophy. But who is most likely get his first national title in 2026?
CBS Sports college basketball reporters surveyed about 100 coaches on the condition of anonymity to get a feel for who they believe will celebate on April 6 in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Advertisement
Longtime Purdue coach Matt Painter is a strong contender, trailing only former Indiana basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who now guides Houston.
One comment about Painter and Purdue: “I don’t know if I’m answering with my head or my heart — but I’ll go with Paint. He’s so good and so deserving. I think he gets it this year. I hope he does.”
These teams met in last season’s Sweet 16, with Houston edging the Boilermakers 62-60 on the way to a national runner-up finish to Florida.
Seven active coaches have won a national championship (John Calipari, Scott Drew, Todd Golden, Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo, Rick Pitinio, Bill Self), so there’s plenty of room for a new champ.
Advertisement
‘That big thing’: Painter says his team is after a national championship
Which college basketball coach will be the next first-time national champion?
|
Coach, school |
% of vote |
|
Kelvin Sampson, Houston |
38 |
|
Matt Painter, Purdue |
26 |
|
Jon Scheyer, Duke |
16 |
|
Mark Pope, Kentucky |
6 |
Also receiving multiple votes: Nate Oats, Alabama; Tommy Lloyd, Arizona; Dusty May, Michigan; Grant McCasland, Texas Tech.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter could win first national championship
