Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan speaks to forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

College basketball coaches depend on talented players, and recruiting those players is the lifeblood of any program. Some coaches are more gifted than others in attracting talent to their university and the tradition and appeal of some programs makes recruiting easier.

Likewise, other coaches must do more with less. They must find players that fit their system and then teach that system well. Scheme, tactics and execution are paramount. That is not to say coaches at the elite programs are not skilled tacticians, but when you have a roster full of future NBA lottery picks, X’s and O’s are less important.

In this ranking of the best tacticians in the game, high marks are given to innovation and the ability to execute the coach’s chosen system along with consistent wins.

Who are the five best X’s and O’s coaches in college basketball today? Read on to discover the game’s most cerebral basketball professors.