This further illustrates the role of the mid-major these days: as a feeder system to the big boys.
My alma mater is Exhibit Fill In The Number Here. Three years ago, Cal State Fullerton won the Big West Tournament and made the Dance. Two years ago, it lost in the tournament finals to UCSB.
Last year and this year, it failed to make the Big West Tournament. This year, the Titans won one conference game, finishing DFL.
This is a byproduct of Titans' coach Dedrique Taylor having to change his entire recruiting strategy to minimize the raiding of his cabinets, which were decimated the last two seasons.
I really like Dedrique and think he's done well in one of the worst jobs in the country. But UC Irvine has had several good players leave, including Dawson Baker (BYU), and has won 30 games.
I also don't think the upsets will disappear forever. UC San Diego had an open 3 to beat Michigan and missed it. UNC Wilmington pushed Texas Tech hard. McNeese did beat Clemson (with a transfer from Syracuse, indicating that the portal can work both ways) and Drake did beat Missouri. All the agonizing reminds me of last fall when the Dodgers played the Yankees and everyone bemoaned the dominance of the big payroll teams in a year when Detroit and Kansas City won playoff series.
This further illustrates the role of the mid-major these days: as a feeder system to the big boys.
My alma mater is Exhibit Fill In The Number Here. Three years ago, Cal State Fullerton won the Big West Tournament and made the Dance. Two years ago, it lost in the tournament finals to UCSB.
Last year and this year, it failed to make the Big West Tournament. This year, the Titans won one conference game, finishing DFL.
This is a byproduct of Titans' coach Dedrique Taylor having to change his entire recruiting strategy to minimize the raiding of his cabinets, which were decimated the last two seasons.
I really like Dedrique and think he's done well in one of the worst jobs in the country. But UC Irvine has had several good players leave, including Dawson Baker (BYU), and has won 30 games.
I also don't think the upsets will disappear forever. UC San Diego had an open 3 to beat Michigan and missed it. UNC Wilmington pushed Texas Tech hard. McNeese did beat Clemson (with a transfer from Syracuse, indicating that the portal can work both ways) and Drake did beat Missouri. All the agonizing reminds me of last fall when the Dodgers played the Yankees and everyone bemoaned the dominance of the big payroll teams in a year when Detroit and Kansas City won playoff series.
Good basketball analysis here. These 4 upcoming games should be very interesting.