Tiny Dancers: Mid-Majors Miami & SLU Beat Power-League Members Like '95

Prior to coronavirus cancellation six 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 national Top 10 polls. 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 should be given more consideration. After Miami of Ohio and Saint Louis both duplicated their 1995 at-large success this year, mid-major at-large entrants since 1992 included the following success totals against power-league members: Big Eight/Big 12 (24), Big East (20), SEC (17), Big Ten (16), ACC (15) and Pac-12 (11). Kansas has incurred six such setbacks 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: Brigham Young (Big 12), Butler (Big East), Cincinnati (Big East before Big 12), Houston (Big 12), Louisville (Big East before ACC), Utah (Pac-12 before Big 12) and Xavier (Big East) subsequently joined a power conference.