2017 NCAA Tournament: 10 mid-majors that deserve at-large bids

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Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders head coach Kermit Davis looks on during the second half of the second round against the Syracuse Orange in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

March is finally here, but, for the country’s top mid-majors, conference tournaments come with the chance to miss out on the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

It happens every season. A talented mid-major team gets snubbed by the Selection Committee for a mid-level Power 5 team that got hot at the right time. The mid-major is disappointed after what they felt like was a phenomenal season, and the fans have to search frantically to figure out what TV channels actually carry the opening rounds of the NIT.

The 2017 NCAA Tournament will be no different. A team that everyone thinks is a “lock” for the Big Dance will suddenly be without a bid, while an undeserving Power 5 school sneaks in at the last minute.

From a TV ratings perspective, it makes sense. From a college basketball perspective, it’s bad for the sport.

As parity continues to rise across the college basketball landscape, however, it is becoming more and more difficult for the Selection Committee to justify these decisions – which means we should end up with some extremely talented mid-majors in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

This season’s edition of March Madness is going to be insane. 2016-17 has been one of the first seasons in recent memory that there is not an overwhelming favorite to win it all. Anything can happen, and I have a feeling that this is the season that another mid-major pushes into the Final Four.

Here are 10 mid-majors that deserve an at-large bid even if they fail to win their respective conference tournaments.

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