Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah: Indefensible if Akron Doesn't Deserve At-Large Bid

If Akron reaches the Mid-American Conference Tournament final for the seventh consecutive year but loses, it would be a disgrace if the Zips don't receive an at-large invitation to participate in the NCAA playoffs. Akron isn't a Johnny-Come-Lately, earning a distinction as one of only seven programs in the country to compile at least 22 victories the last eight seasons.

The Zips squandered a chance to become the first MAC team in 54 years (since Miami of Ohio in 1957-58) to go undefeated in league competition. But even if they had gone unbeaten in conference play, the "Journey to the Tourney" is a road trip lined with daydreamers and potholes.

Norfolk State became the ninth school to join the following chronological list of members from mid-major leagues to go undefeated in conference round-robin regular-season competition but not participate in the NCAA tourney after losing by a single-digit margin in their league tournament since at-large bids were issued to schools other than loop champions in 1975: