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

By Taylor Sturm | Mar 1, 2017

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 /

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Nov 17, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders head coach Matt Lottich stands on the sideline against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Valparaiso Crusaders

Finishing the season tied atop the Horizon League standings with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, the Valparaiso Crusaders lost both of their games to the Golden Grizzlies. Valparaiso, one season removed from the loss of coach Bryce Drew to Vanderbilt, have solid wins over Alabama, BYU, and Rhode Island to bolster their résumé.

Unfortunately, one deserving team from this league will likely find themselves in the NIT instead of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, so it’s no surprise that the next team on this list is also from the Horizon League.

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