CI.com Mid-Major Top 25 - someone is noticing!

[SFP]

When our predicted-to-finish-6th Bradley Braves beat the 20th ranked team in the nation, I'm going to celebrate! It's not something that happens every year, but yes, I guess we have been there before. I celebrated then too!

Oh yea - and having the chance and then beating Illinois is priceless regardless of the BCS/Midmajor talk!

I was not to keyed up on the "big brother" comment though!

[TheHeemyMonster]

I noticed Western Carolina is right behind us on this list. I overheard Coach Buesher talk on my flight home saying that that game on the 7th will be a good test for us. Lets just take care of Northern first though

[tornado]

There were some who were quite critical of Western Carolina being on our schedule...

[TheAsianSensation]

There were some who were quite critical of Western Carolina being on our schedule...

I think that was more because it was the last game we put on the sked, IIRC, and many were hoping for one more big-name scalp.

[dogsrus]

I enjoy beating ANYONE we play but to not enjoy beating the Illini a bit more is, well, just the way it is.

But like WE said...its over now and time to move on.

We are a D1 University that is classified as a mid major ONLY becuase of $$$$$$$$. I take it as a source of pride.....we have no where NEAR the resources of the BCS schools yet we prove time and time again we CAN compete.

[BradleyBrave]

When someone can define a 'major' versus a 'midmajor', then I will give the term some credence.

[shaunguth]

I think that was more because it was the last game we put on the sked, IIRC, and many were hoping for one more big-name scalp.

It sure beats Grambling State though!

The Western Carolina game is the first local television broadcast. Does anyone know who will be announcing the game on WTVP?

Hopefully, the Bears aren't on Monday Night Football that night. Of course, I'm not sure if anyone would still stay home to watch the Bears at this point.

[JBinPeoria]

This is an interesting discussion. I noticed that Xavier (one of my favorite teams besides Bradley, btw) is not on this list. Is it because this publication doesn't consider it a mid-major? That raises the question, what is the definition of a mid-major? Also, I cannot tell what criteria they (the publication or maybe more likely the coaches?) use to develop these rankings. Beyond the top two listed, the list seems completely random in my eyes (and I would say that I follow mid-majors more than your average Joe).

[bugregshu]

From the Website

"NOTE: The Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Great West, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast."

[lefty]

I don't get into these discussions much. I was one not high on playing western carolina, I guess I figure we are better than them. I have zero to base that on it's just that we have never heard much about them...ever really.

i don't get into the mid-major thing much either....schedule the the best you can(not the best teams on the road but put the best schedule you can together and win your games in the conference and tourneys and let's play in the NCAA......

[versace4pres]

How does the Valley, which finishes in the 8th-10th place slot nationally, still garner the name MM? This name is an insult to our program. It is simply used by the media and the "bcs" conferences to keep us down. And some of us gladly accept it. Sad.

[squirrelgotdead]

one site that awards such honors as MM of the week and MM player of the week...has mysteriously totally ignored one of the best MM victories of the season when BU beat Illinois...it's as if it didn't happen!

Which site is this?

[TheAsianSensation]

Ok, everybody. The most common usage of "mid-major" referrs to the budget of the program and the media recognition the program gets. Not the actual caliber of play of the program.

[doug shank's crossover]

I don't fully understand the distinction of mid-major versus high major.....or mid versus low-major for that matter. I do know, however, that Xavier and Gonzaga should not be considered mid-majors. They've sustained success long enough to be considered graduates of the mid-major class....whatever that means! One thing I will say with great authority and confidence though: NJIT is still a low-major.

[versace4pres]

TAS, so your telling us that no recruiter for a "bcs" team uses the term when talking with a recruit in an attempt to sway him.

Recruit-"I have been looking at Bradley and I think I'd fit in there."

Recruiter-"That's great, but I don't consider you a mid major player, I think you're better than that. I think you'd fit here at our MAJOR program".

I know you don't think the above conversation never happens. You are much smarter than that.