(What about Bob?) Coaches like Bob McKillop of Davidson are the difference makers come Tourney time

Last week in the middle of the Pittsburgh/Michigan State game, I texted my friend that I could no longer bare to watch it. It was terrible. Guys hacking, running down the court and taking the first off balance shot they could take. It was as if there was no coach and Memphis had already called 'next'.

It's not a given that the best coach will always go the farthest in the NCAA tournament (Ask Mark Pugh of Gonzaga) and in some cases I am not sure that coaches are not getting too much credit. COroyUGwillGHiams.

Rick Pitino of Louisville and John Calipari of Memphis have both reached the elite eight as they often do, even when they are not at the most prestigious schools. Unlike other coaches, Coach Pitino seems to be able to put his ego on the back burner. He uses a microphone at practices to teach rather than try to get the rush that a minority of coaches get from yelling at young kids .

It is no coincidence that since Ben Howland left Pepperdine and went to UCLA, Pepperdine stopped making the tournament and UCLA went back to be a powerhouse and perennial Final Four team.

Look at how Bo Ryan's coaching defense was able to take Wisconsin to 31 wins and sweet 16 despite having a discernible shortage of offense and no go-to player.

Similarly Xavier's coach, Sean Miller always managed to keep a cool head. His team has emulated that and made it to the Elite Eight even though other teams that didn't make it that far clearly had more stars.

Possibly the most impressive example has been Bob McKillop of Davidson. He has managed to take his team from the tiny school of Davidson to the NCAA tournament in four out of the last eight years.

McKillop, in his 19th year with the team is very reminiscent of the Utah Jazz's Jerry Sloan. Both are great coaches in relatively small spotlights. Both exemplify poise and dignity while clearly instilling high degrees of disciplined team basketball.

It's took a special player like Stephon Curry to make them into a title contender, but without McKillop's leadership Davidson would have likely been one and done verses Gonzaga.