Mid-major basketball programs are leveraging the visibility of March Madness to advocate for more matchups with power-conference teams. After No. 12 High Point's shocking win over No. 5 Wisconsin, coach Flynn Clayman emphasized the need for high-majors to schedule games against mid-majors to enhance their credibility. Both Clayman and Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele are pushing for increased opportunities that could bolster their tournament resumes and help secure at-large NCAA bids, which have historically been rare for teams outside powerful conferences.

By the Numbers
  • High Point and Miami (Ohio) have a combined record of 2鈥�1 in Quad 1 games.
  • Between 75 and 90 programs declined to schedule Miami (Ohio) ahead of this season.
Yes, But

High-major teams largely have no incentive to schedule mid-majors, as a loss could harm their NCAA tournament prospects. This fear, coupled with a lack of competitive balance, often limits opportunities for mid-majors.

State of Play
  • Mid-majors are struggling to secure home games against higher-ranked opponents.
  • Coach Clayman notes issues faced by other programs like Akron and Belmont in scheduling competitive games to boost their metrics.
What's Next

Should mid-majors continue to perform well, there may be increased pressure on high-major teams to schedule more games with them, potentially changing the landscape of college basketball scheduling.

Bottom Line

The persistent push for more equitable scheduling could reshape the pathways for mid-majors looking to secure at-large NCAA bids, ultimately leading to greater competition and fairness in college basketball.