Jay Bilas bashes mid-majors and Illinois State’s Dan Muller fights back
ESPN College basketball analyst Jay Bilas and Illinois State Redbirds Men’s basketball coach Dan Muller went at it on Twitter over mid-majors and their rightful place in March Madness.
The Loyola Ramblers’ magical run to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament is what March Madness is all about. A mid-major school showing the basketball world they can hang with the big boys — when they get a fair shot. ESPN talking head and college basketball analyst Jay Bilas feels that mid-majors are treated fairly by the Selection Committee, even though history tells a much different narrative.
Major conferences generally send a substantial portion of their teams to the NCAA tournament, take this year for example:
- ACC: 9
- SEC: 8
- Big 12: 7
- Big East: 6
- Big 10: 4
If that imbalance isn’t alarming enough, compare it to the number of conference bids received in NCAA tournament history (By current members of each respective conference).
- ACC: 390
- Big Ten: 302
- SEC: 277
- Big 12: 253
- Pac-12: 251
- Big East: 248
- American: 198
- Atlantic 10: 151
- Mountain West: 120
- West Coast: 119
- Conference USA: 113
- Ivy League: 75
- Mid-American: 73
- Missouri Valley: 66
Even though the Missouri Valley Conference is low on that list, they make the most out of every opportunity they receive — with the MVC advancing to the round of 32 or further in each NCAA tournament since 2012.
According to Jay Bilas, the mid-majors are treated “fairly” by the selection committee.
They had a fair shot. Every team has the same chance to win its league bid. In essence, the Tournament starts with conference tourneys. Win and you’re in.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 27, 2018
Even though that is true, in a sense, that doesn’t tell the entire story. If a high-profile program fails to win their conference tournament and are on the NCAA tournament bubble, they typically receive a bid.
Recently, Pat Forde spoke in defense of the mid-majors, exposing the glaring problem of the mistreated mid-majors and why the compelling Loyola run almost never happened. Right on cue, Billas was having none of that pro-mid-major talk.
Interesting article. Remember, NC State would have missed the '83 NCAA Tournament (and won it). Smaller leagues can give auto bids to regular-season champs, but they want the money. There are too many teams in D1. Power 5 leagues can't schedule 351 teams. https://t.co/iGy4qklCBK
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 27, 2018
Illinois State Redbirds head coach Dan Muller took notice, countering the Billas’ bias argument with a dose of reality. Muller knows from personal experience, after leading his Redbirds to a share of the MVC tournament regular season title in 2016-17 and falling short to Wichita State in the MVC finals. Muller and his Redbird’s 27-6 record and historic season were left on the outside looking in.
NC State was a 6 seed, why would they have missed the tourney? Also in '83, these teams got these seeds. 4 Memphis St, 5 VCU, 6 Illinois State, 8 SW La, 9 Weber St, 9 Chattanooga, 10 Utah St, 10 James Madison, 10 UAB. Only a 52 team tourney. Not a great analogy/defense https://t.co/YGlEXEfdSw
— Dan Muller (@DanMuller) March 27, 2018
Muller argues that Power 5 teams won’t play mid-majors on the road, but Billas feels it’s the other way around.
It doesn’t make you worse, either. And, the “they won’t play us” mantra is nonsense. Most mid-majors don’t want to consistently play majors. They don’t want the losses. Coaches don’t want to get fired! The idea that majors can carry all D1 non-conference schedules is ludicrous.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 27, 2018
It’s a rarity that big-name programs will play legitimate mid’s on the road. Instead, many power programs will buy wins in the non-conference and rely on the RPI of their respective leagues to get in — even though such teams often finish at .500 or worse in conference play. If those teams would travel to the likes of Illinois State, Northern, and Middle Tennessee; it’s unlikely they would leave with a W.
Ask the 2015-16 North Carolina Tarheels, who paid a visit to Cedar Falls in non-conference play, losing on Northern Iowa’s home court.
Jay, I understand your arguments but respectfully disagree. I haven't read this entire thread so excuse me if redundant. There is no "fair," never will be. HM teams aren't going to start playing MM's on road all of the sudden, nor should they. But in order for all conferences
— Dan Muller (@DanMuller) March 27, 2018
Billas even had the nerve to say that the NCAA tournament process is not unfair to any select group.
Bingo. This is primarily a populist argument for “deserving” versus “best.” Each D1 team has the same chance to make the field: win your league bid. After that, it’s the best teams. The selection process is clearly flawed, but not unfair to any group.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 27, 2018
I call garbage on that claim, Mr. Bilas. As each NCAA college basketball season goes on, the more mid-majors are left out — diminishing their chances of making deep runs in March Madness as Loyola is doing this season.
Even though Loyola boasts an RPI in the 20’s, won the MVC regular season by four games, and claim a road win at the University of Florida; they would’ve been left out of the NCAA tournament without the MVC automatic bid — and that’s absurd.
That means no Sister Jean ( and bobblehead to go with it). No Porter Moser and his love of the game on display. The world would have no idea who Donte Ingram, Clayton Custer, or Ben Richardson are — or even that Loyola (Chicago) Univesity even exists.
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How many “Loyola’s” of the NCAA basketball world from past March Madness events were excluded; with their unique stories now unknown? We’ll never know, and that’s just how Jay Billas likes it.