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

10 of 11

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

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Last year’s giant-killers, MTSU are more than capable of replicating their upset over Tom Izzo’s Michigan State and more in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Talented from top to bottom and led by arguably the most underrated college basketball coach in America, this team is built to go on a deep run, and they have proven it time and time again in the regular season.

This MTSU team and their fans, while clearly deserving of an at-large big, will be nervous heading into the C-USA tournament, as the Blue Raiders have been the victims of Power 5-bias from the Selection Committee before. A conference tournament win and the Blue Raiders are dancing; a loss and they’re praying.

Keep an eye on this team heading into March, because, if Vanderbilt gets in ahead of MTSU, the Blue Raiders might burn Nashville to the ground.

Home/Mid Major Conferences