After down year in 2008-09, mid-majors poised for March resurgence

Mid majors poised for March resurgence

DES MOINES, Iowa — Last March brought a sobering dose of reality to the nation’s mid-majors.

Only four non-BCS teams received at-large bids to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. That followed a long stretch of multiple at-large bids that included George Mason’s memorable Final Four run in 2006.

Some wondered if the heyday of the pesky underdog had come and gone, but this season suggests mid-majors are poised for another big showing next month.

Six teams from outside the “Big Six” are in this week’s Top 25. And 15 mid-majors were among the RPI’s Top 40 as of Sunday. Non-BCS schools might not get the 12 at-large bids they landed in 2004, but they could come close.