Tiny Dancers: At-Large CSU, Zags and USU Drub Power-Conference Members

Prior to coronavirus cancellation four seasons ago, the national tourney in 2020 was expected to be a bonanza year for mid-majors with Dayton (Atlantic 10), Gonzaga (West Coast) and San Diego State (Mountain West) ranked in Top 10. When given an opportunity via an at-large invitation to the Big Dance, members from 11 different mid-major conferences have more than held their own against opponents from elite leagues. The greatest example was Virginia Commonwealth, which defeated members from five different power leagues en route to the 2011 Final Four. COVID-19 prevented VCU from possibility of duplicating at-large success three years ago.

It's blatantly clear mid-majors such as Indiana State this season should be given more consideration. After Colorado State (Virginia), Gonzaga (Kansas) and Utah State (Texas Christian) prevailed this year by an average of more than 20 points in these three outings, mid-major at-large entrants since 1992 included the following success totals against power-league members: Big Eight/Big 12 (24), Big East (19), Big Ten (16), SEC (15), ACC (14) and Pac-12 (11). The Zags' drubbing of KU was the Jayhawks' sixth setback against a mid-major at-large entrant since 1992. The following total of 41 different mid-major at-large entrants went on to win in the NCAA playoffs against a total of 55 different power-conference members (listed in reverse chronological order):

NOTE: Butler (Big East), Cincinnati (Big East), Louisville (Big East and ACC), Utah (Pac-12) and Xavier (Big East) subsequently joined a power conference.