Best mid-major tournament in the country?

[Jimus]

Southeast Missouri State head coach Gary Garner:

"This is probably the best mid-major tournament in the country," Garner said after his Indians improved to 3-1, having lost to Montana in the opening round Saturday. "It's like someone said, there are no patsies in this tournament. Sure, you want to win the championship, but I'm very happy to leave here 1-1."

Let's be honest. The teams in the tournament weren't exactly at the level of Creighton, Butler, or St. Joe's. It will take a charmed season for any of the schools we hosted to make it to the Big Dance as an at-large. But I'm thinking that if the Griz and St. Mary's or SEMO ends up winning their conference tournament and gets an automatic berth, the selection committee will look at these games and give the Griz the benefit in seeding. Then instead of a potential 14-seed, the Griz could move up one to maybe a 13-seed, which would put an NCAA upset closer in reach. Yeah, that's looking way down the road, but it could all pay off eventually.

 

[grizgirl317]

Most mid-major teams wouldn't make it to the NCAA without an automatic berth...with the exception of a select few. Most mid-major conferences don't send more than 2 teams...well unless you're Conference USA and I don't think they really count as a mid-major anymore...at least not in basketball.