Close Encounters: Bama's Nate Oats Won 11 of Last 12 Decided By < 6 Points
Close could determine who gets to smoke the victory cigar. Ask Arizona fans if close doesn't count after the Wildcats lost five regional finals from 2003 through 2015 by a total of 14 points. At times, defending champion Connecticut appears capable of coasting to another title. But if the Huskies are in a tight tilt, please be aware coach Dan Hurley, despite posting 10 victories in games decided by fewer than six points as rookie head coach in 2010-11 with Wagner, has compiled one of the worst marks in the country in "close contests" for bench bosses with 10 or more seasons of DI experience. Meanwhile, Alabama's Nate Oats has won 11 of 12 outings the past two seasons decided by fewer than six points. Following is how Hurley, Oats and the other two 2024 Final Four mentors have fared at the major-college level in games decided by fewer than six points:
| Final Four Coach | Current School | DI Seasons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Hurley | Connecticut | 2011-24 | 6-10 | 8-9 | 15-23 | 9-23 | 18-9 | 56-75 | .427 |
| Kevin Keatts | North Carolina State | 2015-24 | 8-6 | 7-5 | 11-7 | 13-10 | 11-11 | 50-39 | .562 |
| Nate Oats | Alabama | 2016-24 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 13-7 | 8-6 | 13-3 | 43-29 | .597 |
| Matt Painter | Purdue | 2004-24 | 18-8 | 16-9 | 20-27 | 21-17 | 24-14 | 99-74 | .572 |