MAC Attacks Streak: No Member in 65 Years Compiled Unbeaten League Mark
April 6th, 2023 - 14:47
A year ago, South Dakota State (18-0) became the first Summit League member to compile an unblemished conference record since the league's inaugural season in 1982-83. Oral Roberts duplicated SDSU's feat in the SL this campaign.
Indiana, the last NCAA Division I school to go undefeated (32-0 in 1975-76), is also the last team to go unbeaten in Big Ten Conference play. The Mid-American (65 straight years) is the only league posting a longer active streak than the Big Ten without an undefeated team in conference competition.
Analyst Dick Vitale, rather than chronically currying favor with the big boys energizing ESPN elitism, should always be promoting the MAC. After all, he has firsthand experience dealing with league rigors, losing his first six games against MAC members when coaching independent Detroit.
After SDSU's success in the SL in 2021-22, the Big East Conference and Northeast Conference remained as leagues never having an undefeated club since their alliances were formed in the early 1980s. Following are the six longest current streaks of at least 40 campaigns without a member going unbeaten in league competition:
| Conference (Years) | Last Unbeaten Team in League Play | Coach (Overall Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-American (65) | Miami (Ohio) in 1957-58 | Dick Shrider (18-9) |
| Big Ten (47) | Indiana in 1975-76 | Bob Knight (32-0) |
| Pac-12 (45) | UCLA in 1977-78 | Gary Cunningham (25-3) |
| Big East (44) | None since inaugural season (1979-80) | never achieved in league |
| Northeast (42) | None since inaugural season (1981-82) | never achieved in league |
| Colonial Athletic Association (40) | William & Mary in 1982-83 | Bruce Parkhill (20-9) |