You could easily make the case for either Rick Barnes or Bruce Pearl to be named SEC Coach of the Year following banner seasons at Tennessee and Auburn. Apparently, making the case for either to be National Coach of the Year can be made just as easily.

Friday morning, the 10 semifinalists for the Naismith men’s college Coach of the Year award were named. Unsurprisingly, Barnes and Pearl made the list.

Auburn currently stands with a 24-4 overall record with a 12-3 SEC mark. Tennessee is 20-7 with a 10-5 conference record. The two teams rank atop the league standings with only a few games left until the SEC Tournament begins Wednesday, March 7.

The other eight coaches named as semifinalists for the award: Chris Beard – Texas Tech, Tony Bennett – Virginia, Brad Brownell – Clemson, Mick Cronin – Cincinnati, Chris Holtmann – Ohio State, Chris Mack – Xavier, Matt Painter – Purdue Jay Wright – Villanova.