Will Wade and mid-major McNeese celebrated the first upset of the NCAA tournament by beating Clemson … [+]
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Every year, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set up with 31 automatic entries for conference champions, sparking discussions about the qualifications of the teams chosen.
Historically, mid-major conferences receive limited representation in the 68-team lineup, leading some observers to question the legitimacy of these teams’ automatic entries.
However, mid-majors swiftly demonstrated their value this tournament.
In the tournament’s sixth contest, No. 12 seed McNeese pulled off the first upset by defeating No. 5 seed Clemson in the Midwest Regional’s first round, showcasing their talent right away.
Drake and McNeese Show Confidence
Later that same day, No. 11 seed Drake also proved their worth by overcoming No. 6 seed Missouri in the West Regional. Both teams, having won their respective conference tournaments, likely wouldn’t have made the NCAA cut without those victories.
Drake’s coach, Ben McCollum, in his inaugural season after a successful tenure at Northwest Missouri State, expressed confidence in his team. “I expected them to compete. I brought winners with me,” he stated, emphasizing his belief in the players’ abilities.
Colorado State Affirms Their Worth
In a similar display of prowess, No. 12 seed Colorado State, champions of the Mountain West tournament, triumphed over No. 5 seed Memphis with a score of 78-70. This victory challenged their earlier projections as potential exclusions.
Coach Nico Medved praised his players for continuously exceeding expectations, stating how they consistently find new levels of performance. Following suit, Houston’s coach Kelvin Sampson weighed in on mid-major debates after his top-seeded Cougars won easily against SIU-Edwardsville.
Reflecting on the Experience
Sampson reflected on the significance of the tournament, noting the joy and memories it offers to all participants. He urged for continued opportunities for teams from lower-tier conferences to compete on this grand stage.
With the NCAA selection committee largely comprising members from major conferences, there’s ongoing discourse about the inclusion of mid-majors. Despite the challenges, the excitement remains high, and the chance to compete continues to inspire teams and fans alike.
