Some Mid-Major Thoughts

[Montana Gym Rat]

I think that the mid-majors this year really accomplished some great things. Hopefully some eyes have been opened and people realize that teams can be good from any conference in any area of the nation.

Here's my final top 25 mid-major ranking of the year:

1) Gonzaga
2) George Mason
3) Wichita State
4) Bradley
5) Bucknell
6) UW-Milwaukee
7) Montana
8) Northwestern State
9) UNC-Wilmington
10) Missouri State
11) Hofstra
12) Southern Illinois
13) Northern Iowa
14) Creighton
15) Pacific
16) Winthrop
17) Murray State
18) Kent State
19) Iona
20) South Alabama
21) Old Dominion
22) Manhattan
23) Akron
24) Butler
25) Western Kentucky

Every single one of these teams is in the top 75 of the nation, in my opinion. I think that says quite a bit about the caliber of teams that the mid-majors have produced over the past 5 years.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Exactly what conferences are and aren't considered Mid-major? Some consider Nevada and the WAC to be mid-major. If MAC teams are mid-major, then WAC teams are too.

 

[Montana Gym Rat]

From the mid-major top 25 website:

"NOTE: The Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Continent, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Sun Belt, West Coast."

I just go by the rules.

 

[Swillbury]

Missouri Valley was a power conference this year IMO

 

[Bozgriz]

I was listening to ESPN radio yesterday and one of the coaches they interviewed was from the MVC. He was pissed about the term "mid major" and grilled the ESPN guys about whether Gonzaga was a "mid major". The answer was no. He then asked about the conference and the answer was yes. He said you can't have it both ways...He continued with Bradley, George Mason, etc., always with the same response. He claimed the term "mid major" was a media creation to separate the big money conferences from the rest. His claim was that TV was the reason the big money conferences are placed above the rest and that there is not a huge difference between as he called it "all division one basketball". His point was supported by the success of the MVC as well as teams like Montana, Nevada, Bucknell, Bradley, Northwestern State, etc...

I thought it was great! He called out the big money conferences for not scheduling those schools they can't blow out or get a big payday for...the "mid majors"...It was classic and while I don't necessarily agree with some of his points, they were interesting to listen to, especially as a member of the "unofficial" group of "mid-major" schools. :twocents:

 

[EverettGriz]

I was listening to ESPN radio yesterday and one of the coaches they interviewed was from the MVC. He was pissed about the term "mid major" and grilled the ESPN guys about whether Gonzaga was a "mid major". The answer was no. He then asked about the conference and the answer was yes. He said you can't have it both ways...He continued with Bradley, George Mason, etc., always with the same response. He claimed the term "mid major" was a media creation to separate the big money conferences from the rest. His claim was that TV was the reason the big money conferences are placed above the rest and that there is not a huge difference between as he called it "all division one basketball". His point was supported by the success of the MVC as well as teams like Montana, Nevada, Bucknell, Bradley, Northwestern State, etc...

I thought it was great! He called out the big money conferences for not scheduling those schools they can't blow out or get a big payday for...the "mid majors"...It was classic and while I don't necessarily agree with some of his points, they were interesting to listen to, especially as a member of the "unofficial" group of "mid-major" schools. :twocents:

LOVE it!