The 2017-18 D3 Men's Basketball season has arrived at the NCAA Tournament, and that means it is time to reflect on the best of the season. Today, we turn our attention to the best coaches of the year, and those who brought their program up to their best level as the season wore on.
Eight Coach of the Year candidates have been decided upon for you to narrow down to the best one for the season. Each player has had phenomenal seasons in many different ways.
The vote comes down to you, the fans. The ONLY way to vote is the poll below. The poll closes March 9 at 9 AM PT.
Let the voting begin!
*Statistics current through games completed by 3/1/18
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Elliot Steinmetz, Yeshiva
Overall Record: 18-10
Conference Record: 13-7, Skyline
Skyline Championship
NCAA Tournament Berth
Yeshiva has become the story of D3 Basketball in recent weeks after the team won their first conference crown, securing their first-ever berth into the NCAA Tournament. A former player for the Maccabees, Steinmetz has helped his team grow and achieve a historic season behind the team's most wins since records show (2008-09).
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Eric Bridgeland, Whitman
Overall Record: 26-1
Conference Record: 16-0, NWC
Northwest Conference Championship
NCAA Tournament Berth
A year after guiding Whitman to the first undefeated season in NWC history and first final four berth for a West Coast team since 1982, Bridgeland has reloaded the Blues for a run at the national title. Holding serve as the top team in the country for most of the year, expectations are high for a program ready to make history as the first Western-based champion in the history of D3 hoops.
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Rick Ferry, Albright
Overall Record: 20-6
Conference Record: 12-4, MACC
NCAA Tournament Berth
Holding a young team with just two seniors, Ferry helped the Lions jump into contention arguably a year earlier than may have been expected. Following a string of four-straight seasons below .500, Albright jumped with their new young talent into the conversation for a possible deep tourney run, and things to come in the near future.
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Matt Croci, Wittenberg
Overall Record: 26-2
Conference Record: 16-2, NCAC
NCAC Championship
NCAA Tournament Berth
One of just two teams (Whitman) to reach 26 victories prior to the NCAA Tournament, Wittenberg is widely seen as the next top contender to win the D3 title. This remarkable season has been the payoff from a four-year build following the Tiger's last 20-win season in 2013-14. The best part was that it was all done with just three seniors, showing a sign of things to come from a potential monster in D3.
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Bill Geitner, Eastern Connecticut
Overall Record: 25-3
Conference Record: 13-1, LEC
Little East Championship
NCAA Tournament Berth
ECSU has been a consistent winner over the last few seasons, but upped the ante with a tremendous 25-win campaign. Behind five seniors and a handful of juniors, the experience on this team paid off to the tune of a conference crown and right to host an NCAA Regional.Look for the Warriors to make a deep run through March.
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Rich Bensman, Ohio Northern
Overall Record: 19-9
Conference Record: 12-6, OAC
In just his second season as coach for the Polar Bears, Bensman has led his program into unseen stages with their most wins since the 2006-07 season. Unfortunately the team was left out of the NCAA Tournament following their tremendous year, but Bensman clearly has something building towards contention in the coming seasons.
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Pat Juckem, UW-Oshkosh
Overall Record: 20-7
Conference Record: 9-5, WIAC
NCAA Tournament Berth
Oshkosh recorded their first 20-win season since 2006-07 and made the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight year behind Juckem. Their biggest success came in defending home court with a 10-2 mark at the Kolf Sports Center. With another berth in the tournament, the Titans should hope to continue building after reaching 20 wins this season.
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Dan Engelstad, Southern Vermont
Overall Record: 22-5
Conference Record: 12-2, NECC
NECC Championship
NCAA Tournament Berth
Engelstad has been one of the revelatory coaches in D3 since arriving to SVC in 2013-14. Coming in one year after the Mountaineers posted a one-win season the year prior. After a down year in 2016-17, Engelstad returned his team to contention with 22 wins and a conference title. While a deep run is certainly on the table, the regular season accomplishments certainly need recognition for one of the overlooked coaches in D3.
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