Niko Medved gaining traction among Michigan basketball fans

Head coaches in college basketball make a name for themselves in the NCAA tournament. Colorado State’s Niko Medved started to do that on Tuesday night, leading the Rams to a play-in win over Virginia, and stealing the hearts of some Michigan basketball fans in the process.

Medved was already getting some traction with the Michigan basketball job. Chris Balas of The Wolverine mentioned him as one of the potential candidates. Apparently, he even modeled his coaching style after John Beilein.

The 11-year college basketball head coach has one conference championship to his credit. Tuesday was his second appearance in the NCAA tournament with Colorado State. The win over Virginia and Tony Bennett was impressive but it was also in the First Four. His other tournament appearance came as a six-seed when his Rams squad was upset by Michigan basketball, coached by Juwan Howard in 2022.

Yet, Medved has a career record of 196-162. However, he’s won 61.3 percent of his games at Colorado State with 20 wins in four of the past five seasons.

Michigan basketball fans impressed by Niko Medved

Doing well in the NCAA tournament is good for the resume. Medved was the poster child for that on Tuesday as Michigan basketball fans wamp up to the idea of him as head coach.

Here’s what some Michigan media members and fans are thinking about Medved.

Not a bad showing for Niko Medved’s potential candidacy at Michigan https://t.co/SZdSCfWCc4

— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) March 20, 2024

One thing regarding Niko Medved, who is putting on a clinic in the NCAA Tournament & checks many of Michigan’s boxes: He was hired by former U-M athlete & AD admin Joe Parker, who just stepped down after 9 years as CSU’s AD

I imagine Michigan could get the inside scoop on Medved

— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) March 20, 2024

Niko Medved has coached his butt off against Tony Bennett tonight. He's a name to remember for Michigan fans. https://t.co/XGT14OuJg8

— Kellen Voss (@Kellen__Voss) March 20, 2024

Pretty good audition for Niko Medved tonight if Michigan is interested.

— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) March 20, 2024

Niko Medved out here auditioning for the Michigan job

— #Smash & Ski- Ji〽️〽️y 🅿️ (@JimboPete6) March 20, 2024

Niko Medved 🫵 YOU 🫵 are the next head coach of Michigan Men’s basketball

— Timothy (@timothyJB) March 20, 2024

Maybe Michigan should hire Niko Medved

— Robert O'Neill (@RobertONeill31) March 20, 2024

There is a long way to go in this coaching search. Dusty May, another viable candidate, has a team in the NCAA tournament. So do some of the other potential candidates. Clarity should come after this weekend, unless of course, the Wolverines preferred candidate advances to the Sweet 16.

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