Mid-Major Madness: Mid-Level Members Maneuver For More Respect
After an average of four mid-level schools reached the Sweet 16 in a six-year span from 2006 through 2011, the last three seasons could have cemented the premise about mid-major schools deserving additional at-large consideration.
But that was before eight mid-level schools - Gonzaga, New Mexico, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis, Saint Mary's, Southern Mississippi, UNLV and Virginia Commonwealth - were eliminated in games against power six conference members by an average of only four points in 2012, the Mountain West Conference flopped in 2013 and only two mid-majors reached the Sweet 16 this year.
Wichita State advancing to the Final Four plus victories by Lehigh, Norfolk State and Florida Gulf Coast the previous three years were invigorating but the mid-major community missed out on a potential bonanza. Wichita State was eliminated early this season but Dayton and San Diego State were able to advance with at least two victories. Following is a look at how at least one mid-major conference member advanced to a regional semifinal or beyond since the field was expanded to 64 teams in 1985: