Is Mid-Major Basketball Dead?

[canebreak]

I have lost almost all interest in college sports the last couple of years. Football and Basketball have turned into Jucos with new rosters yearly.

This is truth. It’s awful. Football might be the worst. I can’t believe how AD’s and the powers that be just sit back and do nothing. Literally nothing. Just hoping for the best. And they just keep making stupid decisions to make it even more open. Hell, people are talking about transfer portal now. With tournament in full swing.

No one can keep up with someone paying a player 7 million. And the advantage that a team like Duke has are insane. They were in two or three commercials along with Flagg in our game alone. That is like free advertising and it makes them the cool school. No one can compete with that. Pretty soon everyone will drop by wayside.

 

[saxonburgcat]

The Sweet 16 is about to be all P4 schools.

The Sweet 16 is about P3 schools and Duke. I don't think the ACC counts this year.

 

[trueblujr2]

Not a popular idea, I’m sure, but a separate tourney for the P5 schools (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC, and Big East) might be the answer.

Go back to the days of Division 1, Division 1A and Division 1-AA

 

[Rockfly78]

Two years ago - the 2023 Final Four.

Last year was UConn, Alabama, NC State, and Purdue.

You're right. I tripped on acid in 2024

 

[truebluewildcat]

How often were mid majors making legitimate runs at it to begin with?

Also isn’t Houston a favorite? BYU could just as easily beat anyone.

I think the run of big programs dominating for multi year cycles is over.

20-30 years ago, UConn would still be in it sniffing a 3 peat.

KU would not have lost to Arkansas. UNC wouldn’t have barely made it in, and they’d still be playing. UK wouldn’t be the 8th best out of 16.

The big programs have just as much turnover if not more than smaller ones. We experienced that with Cal.

 

[SkyPrince1]

How often were mid majors making legitimate runs at it to begin with?

Also isn’t Houston a favorite? BYU could just as easily beat anyone.

I think the run of big programs dominating for multi year cycles is over.

20-30 years ago, UConn would still be in it sniffing a 3 peat.

KU would not have lost to Arkansas. UNC wouldn’t have barely made it in, and they’d still be playing. UK wouldn’t be the 8th best out of 16.

The big programs have just as much turnover if not more than smaller ones. We experienced that with Cal.

VCU, George Mason, Butler had those runs which is why we don't think of Butler as a mid major anymore.

 

[bthaunert]

This isn't nearly as uncommon as some might think. In 2016 and 2017, no mid majors made the Sweet 16. There haven't been that many make it to the Sweet 16 to begin with a lot of years.

 

[RockyMountainCat]

Sean Miller just left Xavier for Texas. One of the reasons he mentioned is the NIL budget.
Xavier - $1 million
Texas - $14 million
Look for Texas to be a powerhouse in a very short time

 

[bthaunert]

How often were mid majors making legitimate runs at it to begin with?

Also isn’t Houston a favorite? BYU could just as easily beat anyone.

I think the run of big programs dominating for multi year cycles is over.

20-30 years ago, UConn would still be in it sniffing a 3 peat.

KU would not have lost to Arkansas. UNC wouldn’t have barely made it in, and they’d still be playing. UK wouldn’t be the 8th best out of 16.

The big programs have just as much turnover if not more than smaller ones. We experienced that with Cal.

I posted that zero mid majors made the Sweet 16 in 2016 and 2017.