Mid-Major Malarkey

I know I’m stating the obvious, but if it’s so obvious, how come everyone can’t see it?

I’m amazed by the commentators and journalists who refer to “mid-major” programs in basketball. The term started being used in basketball shortly after the BCS football system was formed. I slightly understand the reference in football. But in basketball, it’s just lazy and dumb. If UCLA is a major and BYU is a mid-major, how come UCLA is 13-17 and lost to Fullerton and Portland, while BYU is 28-4, with wins over Arizona State, Nebraska and Arizona?

How come DePaul is a major (with losses to Florida Gulf Coast and American), but New Mexico ( wins over Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Cal) isn’t?

Beyond that, coaches from so-called big schools seem to take jobs at smaller schools more often in basketball than football. Hence, UNLV’s Lon Kruger (Florida, Kansas State, Illinois) and New Mexico’s Steve Alford (Iowa) are coaching at so-called mid-majors, after coaching at much larger programs.

Why differentiate between majors and mid-majors when they all play for the same national championship?

How come the mid-majors have, in many cases, nicer arenas and larger crowds than the majors?

And why are programs like Gonzaga and Utah (in better years than this) considered major basketball forces if they’re not major programs?

If someone wants to call certain football programs mid-major, because they don’t have automatic BCS berths, fine. But disrespecting basketball programs isn’t just ignorant. It’s stupid.

See you in the post-season, North Carolina.

Or not.

Hope you can make it.