Pac-12 Coach of Year candidates: Dana Altman, Larry Krystkowiak, Tad Boyle, Cuonzo Martin

There were a lot of worthy candidates for Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Sean Miller had a chance before his team started getting swept on the road. Lorenzo Romar got the early buzz before the late fade. Andy Enfield had a great shot before the Trojans sank in February.

So that leaves three contenders, with two of them likely at equal odds to capture the prize.

Dana Altman, Oregon: Back to back? Very few people thought Oregon would win the Pac-12 this year, but have mostly slipped things up. One first place vote for the Ducks and a fourth place finish made sense. The Ducks are now a win away from winning a share of the conference title and are two wins away from winning the Pac-12 outright. Credit to Altman for finding a way to engineer an elite offense.

Larry Krystkowiak, Utah: The Utes have a real chance to share the conference crown after a red hot finish to the season. Coach K is considered one of the best Xs and Os coaches in the Pac-12. Utah has Jakob Poeltl and a bunch of solid but unspectacular role players and has produced a semi-elite offense. The Utes are moving in the right direction.

Tad Boyle, Colorado: The Buffs won 20 games this year, which is pretty incredible for a team that lost two of its three best players in Xavier Johnson (injury) and Askia Booker (graduation) before the season and were 16-18 season. Boyle getting the most out of guys like George King and Wesley Gordon has been critical for Colorado making the tournament.

Cuonzo Martin, Cal: Dark horse! He deserves credit for an incredible turnaround and could enter the race. Not only did the Bears miss the NCAA Tournament last season, they didn't even make the NIT! Landing Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb did wonders. The Bears are peaking at the right time, and have a chance to win the Pac-12 after a year of turmoil. The big strike against him is his road record.