March Madness: 5 biggest questions for mid-majors in 2019 NCAA Tournament

5. How many mid-majors will make the Sweet Sixteen?

Logan Butts

In my initial bracket, I went all out and picked six (Gonzaga, Buffalo, Nevada, Murray State, Wofford, and Belmont). I may walk that back some over the next few days, but if any year were to be the one where I go all in with mid-major picks, it’s this one.

Connor Hope

Unfortunately, I think only 2 or 3 will make it, if there is that many. Gonzaga is the only mid-major I feel comfortable saying is a definite Sweet 16 team. Outside of the Zags, the only other teams I would say are set up for a Sweet 16 run are Belmont, Buffalo, Nevada and UC Irvine. Buffalo probably has the best shot, but the 2, 3 and 4 seeds in some of these regions are just too reliable to really pick against.

Jason Burgess

I’m gonna go with four, Houston, Old Dominion, Nevada and Belmont.

Stu Luddecke

Two: Belmont and Gonzaga (and I think I can skip on the rationale for picking Gonzaga). Not only is Rick Byrd one of the most under-rated coaches in the Tournament, but the Bruins have perhaps the softest path to the Sweet Sixteen of any team seeded in the double-digits. If they can get by Temple, they’ll run into a Maryland team that’s lost four of their last seven games.

Win that one, and they’ll move on to face either an extremely beatable Yale squad or an LSU team that has more problems effecting their psyche than perhaps any other team in the field (read any major sports outlet for more info on that).