In an era of mega conferences and huge television contracts, quality mid-major teams have become an endangered species in the NCAA Tournament.Â
Conference representation used to be much flatter in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Committee used to award mid-major teams at-large bids more regularly. It wasn’t so long ago (2011) that the CAA had three teams in the same 68-team tournament!
But with the committee favoring power teams in recent years, and high-majors setting new records for the most NCAA Tournament teams from a single conference, it’s a tough time to be a good mid-major that misses the automatic bid.
In 2026, that’s particularly true with Miami (OH), which became the first team in five years to complete an undefeated college basketball regular season before ultimately losing in the MAC Tournament.
Will Miami be given the chance to play? Or will they join this list of historic NCAA Tournament snubs?Â
We’ll all find out on Sunday.
Best Mid-Major College Basketball Teams Left Out of the NCAA Tournament
| Team | Record | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's | 28-5 | 2018 |
| UNC Greensboro | 28-6 | 2019 |
| Monmouth | 27-7 | 2016 |
| Illinois State | 27-6 | 2017 |
| Southern Miss | 27-6 | 2014 |
| North Texas | 26-7 | 2023 |
| Toledo | 26-8 | 2022 |
| Creighton | 26-7 | 2009 |
| Utah State | 25-3 | 2004 |
| Furman | 25-7 | 2019 |
| Hofstra | 24-7 | 2005 AND 2007 |
| Illinois State | 24-9 | 2008 |
| Harvard | 23-7 | 2011 |
| Missouri State | 22-8 | 2006 |
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