Mid-Major College Basketball's Rise to Prominence

As Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) became the eighth mid-major school in the last 10 years to reach the NCAA Final Four, fans and analysts alike wonder how this shift has occurred. The Rams' surprise upset of number one seed Kansas has sent the city of Richmond into a frenzy, with fans waiting in line for hours to buy Final Four T-shirts. This unexpected turn of events has sparked a debate about the rise of mid-major college basketball and its future prospects.

Key Takeaways:

• The mid-major schools' rise to prominence can be attributed to the fact that top teams lose their best players to the NBA after a year or two, creating an opportunity for smaller schools to compete.
• Despite having fewer resources, mid-major schools often have enough to compete with bigger programs, with Michael Litos, author of "Cinderella: Inside The Rise Of Mid-Major College Basketball," stating that most top teams have a $72 million athletics budget, while mid-major schools have only $19 million.
• Coaches in mid-major jobs may have a better chance to advance in the NCAA tournament due to the lower levels of competition and the fact that some mid-major schools are not as well-known as their bigger counterparts, according to John Gasaway of Basketball Prospectus.
• The proliferation of social media and the internet has made it easier for mid-major schools to reach a wider audience and recruit top players, with coach Eric Reveno of mid-major Portland stating that some recruits watch his team play on TV, DVR, or their computer.
• Success begets success in college basketball, with top players being influenced by the success of mid-major schools like Butler and VCU, making it more likely for future Final Fours to feature mid-major teams.

Statistics:

• Since 2006, eight mid-major schools have reached the NCAA Final Four, including VCU, VCU has a 29-13 record in their NCAA tournament appearances.
• The entire Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) has a combined athletics budget of $19 million, compared to Kentucky's $72 million budget.
• Gonzaga, a mid-major school, has been able to recruit top players and has a chance to advance in the NCAA tournament due to its reputation and location.

Sources:

• NPR News, "Mid-Major College Basketball's Rise To Prominence," Mike Pesca, Host
• "Cinderella: Inside The Rise Of Mid-Major College Basketball" by Michael Litos
• Basketball Prospectus, John Gasaway, Writer