March Madness 2024: 5 Coach Matchups That Can Highlight the Season

The 2023-24 NCAA season saw plenty of blowouts and upsets, along with many season-ending injuries and several underdogs shocking powerhouses. Although March Madness is a different stage altogether, it does provide a fresh opportunity to take care of any unfinished business. Things therefore might turn differently when two rival teams meet again in the middle of the Madness. But, what if it is the case with coaches?

Amidst the few predictable possibilities lies the unpredictable coach contests. The encounter engages the best coaches in college basketball locking horns for the glory. On that note, here are 5 coach matchups that can light the season on fire.

Dawn Staley vs. Kim Mulkey

This one undoubtedly will bring the heat up, given that under Staley’s guidance, the Gamecocks have remained undefeated throughout the regular season despite having lower expectations. However, Staley’s leadership propelled the team to achieve an undefeated record. Also, they won the SEC conference title, which is their 8th conference win in 10 years. The Gamecocks’ remarkable performance rewarded the Naismith Hall of Famer Staley with the title of National Coach of the Year from the Athletic.

On the other hand, Kim Mulkey is the head coach of the defending champions of the 2023 NCAA Tournament winners LSU Tigers. Her strategic guidance led the Tigers to showcase their dominant prowess, even in Angel Reese’s absence in the initial days. Their 2023 National championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes drew more than 9 million views, breaking the record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game of all time.

However, things became interesting between the two coaches when their teams’ recent encounter turned into an ugly barfight. The SEC Conference title championship game was going well until Kamilla Cardoso shoved Flau’jae Jhonson after she engaged in a trash talk with Ashlynn Watkins. Escalated tensions led everyone toward the two to break it off and hence, several players entering the court from both sides ended up being ejected, including Kamilla Cardoso. As a result, the incident caused a 19-minute delay in the game and the fourth quarter was concluded by 5 players on both sides with South Carolina winning the SEC title.

So, if these two teams cross paths in the tournament, then there is a chance that the Tigers will have a clear strategy for how to take down the Gamecocks.

Kim Mulkey vs. Lisa Bluder

It is common knowledge that Kim Mulkey is popular for making headlines. Being a former player herself, Coach Mulkey isn’t the one backing down from a fight. Last season, her team showcased an outstanding performance with the trailblazing Angel Reese leading the Tigers. Their 2023 National Championship matchup against Iowa attracted a lot of opinions with the recurring John Cena impression that was imitated by both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

Although a remarkable team, however, things might go in a different direction, given the Hawkeyes have grown much stronger this time with Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking achievements overshadowing almost every highlight in the regular season. As a result, Iowa seems to have all the best bets to excel in March Madness this time.

TaraVanDerveer vs. Geno Auriemma

The tournament will surely go in a whirlwind if these two coaches would lock horns in March Madness. Auriemma, who currently has 1208 career wins, is on a run to surpass VanDerveer, who holds the record for the most career wins in college basketball history with 1215 victories.

Geno, a wonderful coach, had been through uncertain adversaries with half of his roster going down with season-ending injuries. Still, his team maintained the winning momentum with a record of 29-5, along with the Big East Women’s Conference title win this year. All this was possible with his determination and Paige Bueckers and Co. showcasing unwavering consistency throughout the regular season. Hence, they were selected as the No. 3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

On the other hand, VanDerveer’s squad led by Cameron Brink has been nothing short of sensation. Her strategic brilliance and leadership have led her team to secure the top spot in the Pac-12 conference standings. They also have 2x Pac-12 Player of the Year, 3x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, 3x All-Pac-12 Team, and 3x Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honoree in Cameron Brink, whose shot-blocking defense can send chills in the opponents.

Lindsay Gottlieb vs. Tara VanDerveer

If this one breaks to the court, it will be a fans’ delight as they will be witnessing the existence of humility between the two as Gottlieb’s acknowledgment for VanDerveer after winning this year’s Pac-12 conference title reads, “I don’t know that I’d be in coaching if it wasn’t for Tara and people like her who did it when there was no money and none of this. They paved the way for us.”

It was almost 20 years ago when Gottlieb coached her first Pac-12 game against Tara, only to coach her last Pac-12 game against VanDerveer on March 10th, however, having a win this time. Tara, on the other hand, the winningest coach in college basketball history echoed Gottlieb’s sentiment when she said, “I think it’s great. … We have so many great young women coaches in our conference,” celebrating the success of young women coaches in Pac-12.

READ MORE: March Madness 2024: Detailed Look into List of Venues and Cities Hosting the NCAA Tournament

Moreover, it will be thrilling to see JuJu Watkins’ cold blows that could slit sharp like a crossover in Cameron Brink’s dominant shot-blocking prowess one more time on the grander pedestal.

Underdogs vs. Powerhouses

This one could turn the tables with the nail-biting anticipation and jaw-dropping expressions on the faces of the audience as the season has majorly featured such games this time. Moreover, March Madness is known for its unpredictable outcomes when it comes to sleepers and long shots taking over the favorite teams.

However, it guarantees adventure and excitement altogether, making the event a national celebration in the spirit of growth in sports with players delivering stellar and outstanding performances.