ESPN Ranks Kevin Keatts as the #2 1st Year Head Coach

Back in May, ESPN Insider writer John Gasaway tried to predict which coach was going to have the biggest impact in their first season at their new school. At that point, he predicted newly hired NC State head coach Kevin Keatts would have the 6th best first season among first-year head coaches across college basketball. He updated those rankings today, and Keatts has moved up to the #2 spot at this point in the season.

2. Kevin Keatts, NC State (15-7, 5-4 ACC)

Previous: No. 6

Based on where his team was expected to be at this point, Keatts has worked wonders. NC State has wins over Arizona, Duke, Clemson and North Carolina (in Chapel Hill).

With a résumé like that, an NCAA tournament bid is a real possibility for a Wolfpack team that does some of its best work where it’s hardest to spot. Opposing offenses have absolutely feasted against NC State on the interior, but in ACC play the Wolfpack have a clear and crucial advantage in turnovers.

Getting more chances to score (along with chasing opponents off the 3-point line) has allowed Allerik Freeman, Torin Dorn, Braxton Beverly, Omer Yurtseven & Co. to make the jump to tournament consideration faster than anticipated. (ESPN)