The Rise of Mid-Major Programs in March Madness

For mid-major programs in college basketball, sustained success is a rare and difficult feat. In an era dominated by NIL deals and the transfer portal, many mid-major players who shine are quickly lured to bigger schools offering substantial financial incentives and national exposure. Likewise, the best coaches at these programs are often poached by major conferences, making it difficult for mid-majors to maintain success. However, some schools have found ways to break through, and March Madness has provided the perfect stage for these programs to prove they belong among the elite.

Building a Culture of Success

For a mid-major to sustain success, it takes more than just one magical season. The programs that have established themselves as perennial contenders have done so through strong culture, smart recruiting, and, most importantly, coaching stability. Mark Few at Gonzaga, Randy Bennett at St. Mary’s and Brian Dutcher at San Diego State exemplify this model. 

Few has been at Gonzaga since 1999, transforming the Bulldogs from a Cinderella story into a powerhouse. The Zags have made the NCAA tournament every year since 1999, reaching two national title games (2017 and 2021).

St. Mary’s, playing in the same conference as Gonzaga, has also built a strong culture under Randy Bennett, who has led the Gaels to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances since taking over in 2001. Similarly, San Diego State’s Brian Dutcher took over after Steve Fisher’s successful tenure and continued the program’s rise, culminating in a national title game appearance in 2023.

Other programs have built similar cultures, even as their head coaches move on. VCU became a household name under Shaka Smart during its legendary 2011 Final Four run, but the program has remained relevant thanks to a string of strong coaching hires. Will Wade, Mike Rhoades and now Ryan Odom have kept the Rams competitive, proving that the right system and recruiting philosophy can sustain success even with coaching turnover. 

Memphis has followed a similar trajectory, reaching the 2008 title game under John Calipari before maintaining national relevance under Penny Hardaway.

The Magic of March Madness

While some mid-majors build long-term success, others etch their names in history with unforgettable Cinderella runs. The NCAA Tournament is famous for its upsets, and mid-major programs have provided some of the most iconic moments in tournament history.

• Florida Gulf Coast (2013) – The high-flying “Dunk City” squad, led by head coach Andy Enfield, became the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16, captivating fans with their electrifying style of play.
• Loyola Chicago (2018) – Behind Sister Jean and head coach Porter Moser, the Ramblers reached the Final Four as an 11-seed, knocking off several higher-ranked teams along the way.
• Davidson (2008) – Led by future NBA superstar Steph Curry, Davidson advanced to the Elite Eight, taking down powerhouses like Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin.
• Butler (2010, 2011) – The Bulldogs, coached by Brad Stevens, made back-to-back national championship game appearances, coming within inches of winning it all against Duke in 2010.
• Princeton (2023) – A No. 15 seed in the Ivy League, Princeton shocked the world with a Sweet 16 run, proving once again that mid-majors can compete with the best.

The Challenges and Future of Mid-Majors

Despite the challenges that plague modern mid-major programs, the rise of the Mountain West Conference, the continued dominance of Gonzaga and St. Mary’s and the ability of programs like VCU, Dayton and Memphis to remain competitive suggest that mid-majors will continue to play a crucial role in the vast ecosystem of college hoops. Whether through an established culture or a once-in-a-generation player, mid-majors will always have a chance to make history when the tournament begins.

As long as March Madness exists with mid-majors guaranteed opportunities, the possibility of an underdog shocking the world will remain one of the tournament’s greatest charms. Mid-majors may not have the resources of Power Five programs, but with the right coach, a committed culture and a little March magic, anything is possible.