UConn's Geno Auriemma joins Tennessee's Pat Summitt, Baylor's Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer (who happen to be the coaches of the No. 1 seeds in the upcoming NCAA tournament) as a finalist for the Naismith Award.

“There is obviously a correlation between the success of these coaches and the fact that their programs each earned a No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament,” said Atlanta Tipoff Club executive director Eric Oberman in a release. "Each has done a remarkable job of coaching this season, which is reflective of their entire careers. Each is very deserving of this prestigious award and we’re excited to crown a winner after the season."

Auriemma ia a six-time winner of the award, being honored in 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2009.

The winner will be announced next month.