Kristian Ferrell
In college basketball, the term mid-major is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the power conferences. These power conferences include the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. Mid-major conferences are generally considered to be less prestigious and receive fewer automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. However, some mid-major teams, such as Gonzaga, have gained recognition as major programs despite their mid-major affiliation. The definition of a mid-major conference can vary, and some conferences may be considered high-majors or low-majors depending on various factors. Examples of mid-major conferences include the Mountain West, West Coast, American Athletic, Atlantic 10, and Horizon League, among others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences" |
| Power Conferences | The Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC |
| Example Mid-Major Conferences | America East, A-Sun, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, Horizon, MVC, OVC, Sun Belt, and WAC |
| Strongest Mid-Major Conferences | Mountain West Conference, West Coast Conference |
| Mid-Major Conferences with Multiple NCAA Bids | Mountain West Conference, West Coast Conference, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 |
| Mid-Major Teams | Gonzaga, New Mexico, Utah State, Boise State, San Diego State, Saint Mary's |
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What You'll Learn
- Mid-major conferences are those that aren't special but not bottom-tier
- Power conferences are the mega-revenue conferences with structural advantages
- The Mountain West Conference is a leading mid-major conference
- The West Coast Conference is also a leading mid-major conference
- Mid-major conferences can have multiple teams in the NCAA tournament
Mid-major conferences are those that aren't special but not bottom-tier
In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences". These power conferences include the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. The media and NCAA often use the term "Power" to refer to these conferences, and they receive automatic bids for their two highest-ranked teams that are not invited to the NCAA Tournament.
Mid-major conferences, on the other hand, are those that "aren't special but not bottom-tier". They typically have 2-3 teams that make it to the tournament, but it's not guaranteed every year. Their seeds usually range from 7 to 14, and they occasionally advance to the Sweet 16, Elite 8, or even the Final 4. Examples of mid-major conferences include the America East, A-Sun, Big Sky, Big West, CAA, Horizon, MVC, OVC, Sun Belt, and WAC.
The distinction between power conferences and mid-majors is not always clear-cut, and there is some disagreement among fans, coaches, and broadcasters about which conferences belong in each category. For instance, the Mountain West Conference is considered a mid-major conference by many, but some disagree due to its recent success and outperformance of several other "major" conferences.
Additionally, some mid-major teams have risen to prominence and are now considered equivalent to power programs, such as Gonzaga from the West Coast Conference. Despite their mid-major affiliation, these teams have consistently performed well and are now seen as major programs in their own right.
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Power conferences are the mega-revenue conferences with structural advantages
In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences". Power conferences are the mega-revenue conferences with structural advantages. The primary power conferences are the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. The Big East Conference, however, is not considered a power conference in sports that it does not sponsor, such as football. Despite this, the media often includes the Big East Conference when referring to the power conferences.
The NCAA has officially recognized this distinction in the selection process for the National Invitation Tournament, with power conferences each receiving automatic bids for their two highest-ranked teams not invited to the NCAA Tournament.
The power conferences enjoy structural advantages due to their mega-revenue status. This is evident in the financial aid they can offer to athletes. In revenue sports like basketball, the NCAA classifies these sports as "head-count" sports, limiting the number of players who can receive athletically related financial aid. As a result, scholarships are typically awarded as full grants-in-aid. On the other hand, mid-major conferences often offer scholarships as "equivalency" sports, where scholarships can be divided among multiple student-athletes.
While the specific conferences considered mid-major can vary from year to year, some classic mid-major basketball conferences include the Mountain West, Atlantic Ten, West Coast Conference (WCC), American Athletic Conference, and Missouri Valley. These mid-major conferences occasionally have multiple teams make the NCAA tournament, but it is not guaranteed every year.
Despite being a mid-major conference member, Gonzaga has risen to prominence and is now generally considered equivalent to a power program.
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The Mountain West Conference is a leading mid-major conference
In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences" of the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. The Mountain West Conference (MW) is a collegiate athletic conference that participates in NCAA Division I. Its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The MW officially began operations on January 4, 1999, and geographically covers a broad expanse of the Western United States, with member schools located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Hawaii.
The Mountain West Conference is considered a leading mid-major conference in college basketball. It is home to several strong basketball programs and has consistently had teams advance to the later stages of tournaments. Last year, the Mountain West Conference had six teams in the NCAA tournament, with four of them being among the top 52 teams in the country. This year, it is projected to be one of the leading mid-major conferences again, with multiple teams expected to receive bids for the NCAA tournament.
The Mountain West Conference has a rich history in college basketball and has produced several successful teams over the years. The conference was created as a result of the 1996 NCAA conference realignment, which saw the merger of the Big Eight Conference and four members of the Southwest Conference to form the Big 12 Conference. The MW initially consisted of former members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and has since expanded to include other schools.
While the Mountain West Conference has established itself as a leading mid-major conference, it is important to note that the distinction between "major" and "mid-major" conferences is not always clear-cut and can vary from year to year. Some sources may consider the Mountain West to be a high-major conference, while others may view it as a classic mid-major. Nonetheless, the Mountain West Conference has consistently demonstrated its strength in college basketball and is expected to continue to do so in the future.
The future of the Mountain West Conference looks promising, despite the departure of several top teams. The conference has added new members, such as UTEP and Northern Illinois, and continues to focus on stability and competitiveness. It remains to be seen if the Mountain West will be able to maintain its status as a leading mid-major conference, but with a strong foundation and a history of success, it is well-positioned to do so.
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The West Coast Conference is also a leading mid-major conference
In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences" of the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. The West Coast Conference (WCC) is considered a mid-major athletic conference and is one of the leading mid-major conferences in college basketball.
The WCC participates at the NCAA Division I level and sponsors 15 sports, including men's and women's basketball. While the WCC has a strong history in soccer and tennis, it has also made a significant impact in men's basketball. San Francisco, one of the WCC schools, won back-to-back national titles in the 1950s with the help of all-time great Bill Russell. Although the WCC's stature declined in the 1960s, San Francisco remained a "major" basketball power until the early 1980s.
More recently, Gonzaga's rise to national prominence has helped put the WCC in the spotlight. As a member of the WCC, Gonzaga has gained recognition as a major basketball power, despite the conference's mid-major affiliation. They have been invited to 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments, the longest streak for any school in the Western United States. In 2016-17, Gonzaga advanced to the national championship game, showcasing the depth of talent in the WCC.
In addition to Gonzaga, other WCC teams have also achieved notable success. Loyola Marymount's inspired run to the Elite Eight in 1990 and Saint Mary's consistent rankings in the NET rankings contribute to the WCC's reputation as a leading mid-major conference. The WCC has consistently produced talented athletes and coaches, including NBA players and coaches such as John Stockton, Jalen Suggs, and Rick Adelman.
The WCC is highly regarded within the mid-major category, often projected to advance in tournament brackets and consistently producing competitive teams. Its members have strong athletic programs and have challenged the traditional power conferences in various sports, including basketball. The WCC's success and recognition solidify its position as a leading mid-major conference in college basketball.
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Mid-major conferences can have multiple teams in the NCAA tournament
In college basketball, the term "mid-major" is used to refer to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences" of the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC. The NCAA has officially recognized this distinction in the selection process for the National Invitation Tournament, with these conferences each receiving automatic bids for their highest-ranked teams not invited to the NCAA Tournament.
While the specific conferences that are considered mid-major can vary from year to year, some of the consistently mentioned mid-major conferences include the Mountain West, West Coast Conference (WCC), Atlantic 10, American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, and Missouri Valley.
These mid-major conferences can indeed have multiple teams participating in the NCAA tournament. For example, in the 2024 season, the Mountain West Conference had a record six teams in the NCAA tournament, which was an exceptional achievement for a mid-major conference. The West Coast Conference, American Athletic Conference, and Atlantic 10 each had two participants in the same year.
The key to earning multiple bids to the NCAA tournament for mid-major conferences lies in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings. The NET rankings take into account various factors beyond just winning percentage, such as game results, strength of schedule, game location, net offensive and defensive efficiency, and the quality of wins and losses.
While it may be challenging for mid-major conferences to match the number of participants sent by power conferences, their ability to have multiple teams in the NCAA tournament showcases the depth of talent and competitiveness within these conferences.
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Frequently asked questions
"Mid-major" refers to teams that are members of a conference other than the "power conferences" of the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and ACC.
The Mountain West, West Coast Conference, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10, America East, A-Sun, Big Sky, CAA, Horizon, MVC, OVC, Sun Belt, and WAC are often considered "mid-major" conferences.
Yes, there are different tiers within "mid-major" conferences. Some sources refer to high-major conferences, which are more competitive and powerful than traditional "mid-major" conferences.
Yes, Gonzaga is a notable example of a team that is considered a "mid-major" due to its West Coast Conference affiliation, but it is generally regarded as a major program.
