We know mid majors can not only make the Final Four, but can actually play in the NCG. But given the current climate of college basketball, can a program from CUSA do what George Mason, VCU, and Butler has accomplished but win it all?

I think any of us can go on a run, but to win it all - not likely.

once the P5s decide to split the NCAA tourney (for themselves) and the NIT (for the rest of us), then yes a G5 (and others) can win a national crown...we ODU fans are jumping for joy four a 4star mbb recruit, a very good player that was buried on the bench at UVa...the big boys play at another level, a G5 school can get on a good run, but the P5s are too strong

Long shot but it is possible for a non power conference team to win a national championship. I'd would never bet money on it happening but there is enough talent in basketball for a team to accumulate the talent to win.

They won't be the best team in the country though, they'll have to get favorable matchups along the way. A mid major will never be the best team in the country.

In order for anyone to do this, they'll need to build up a program like UNLV or what Wichita State appears to be doing right now.

Sure, as long as the NCAA bans tall players and everyone else forfeits or contacts bubonic plague.

Before you win a Nat'l Championship in MBB; gotta win the first round of the Tournament. I like Kermit DAVIS (Winningest Men's Coach in MT history); but we haven't won a single NCAA tournament game since a Bruce Stewart squad stunned Florida State in the EIGHTIES! CUSA has less than 10% chance to put anybody in the Sweet Sixteen, less than 5% chance to go to a Final Four, and NO CHANCE of appearing in the Championship Game as long as we are a one bid league!

PROGRAMS with MOST MBB POTENTIAL Year in/Year out: WKU, ODU, UTEP, UAB(?), Charlotte, and LA TECH.

Memphis almost did it...recently.

I think it is possible.

Non power 5 will never have the most talented team, but that doesn't mean that they can't have the best team.

It will take a perfect storm of a talented team that has a coach and a system that works getting good matchups and getting hot at just the right time. It can happen. Sooner or later it will happen. If just by the law of averages.

We can barely win 16 games

(04-04-2015 09:07 AM)blazing tiger Wrote:  In order for anyone to do this, they'll need to build up a program like UNLV or what Wichita State appears to be doing right now.

You do realize Wichita St is doing it with JUCO's and 2 three star guards and a walk on. The Baker kid walked on and didn't do it because they needed the scholarship. Marshall didn't offer one the first year. They also got a couple transfers.

What they are doing is filling the 3 key roles we each need to make runs.

great pg play VanVleet (Jr)
great shooter Baker (Jr)
very good wing/slasher Cotten (Sr)

mix in a couple decent JUCOs inside

this is the first year of recruiting that Marshall loaded up on with freshmen...6

(04-04-2015 12:04 PM)shyminer Wrote:  Memphis almost did it...recently.

Yes, Memphis almost pulled it off recently and back in the 70s as well. I was pulling for them even then and still like 'em except when they play MT in F'Ball or Baseball. BUT here is the great irony; when they got close both times they were SLAPPED down by the almighty NCAA! Same for Western Kentucky! Same for UMASS! Notice a Trend! No similar punishment has happened to UNC, or UCLA, or Michigan State, or Indiana. Mighty hard for the little fellas to fillout a championship squad without severe scrutiny!

Anything is possible. But it is not probable that any of us will ever win the national championship in bball. It would have to be a perfect storm. Even Memphis couldn't do it while cheating with Calipari and D Rose.

(04-04-2015 12:04 PM)shyminer Wrote:  Memphis almost did it...recently.

Non-P5 UConn did it last year, and until Monday is the current national champion. And one year ago, non-P5 Louisville was the then current national champion.

When folks use the term "mid-major" in describing basketball programs, I remember that until 3 or so years ago, "mid-major" was used exclusively for football programs, and when folks attempted to apply the term to basketball they were usually called out on it.

Also keep in mind that the BE is not a P5 conference, but few would say that Georgetown or Villanova are only mid-majors.

Butler has been to the final four twice here recently so yeah it is possible in Basketball but realistically probably not.

In football, I would say definitely no

Our old CAA sent two teams to the Final Four just 5 years apart. I think CUSA can be better than the old CAA. So Final Four yes, need to keep good coaches and they need to keep the one and done rule. A senior laden mid-major can beat a bunch of one and dones. If the NCAA says the players have to stay 3 years, we'll never see another mid make the FF. Just look at Kentucky keeping kids two years. This is the reason UConn women's teams are so good. The top girls stay for all 4 years, no reason to leave early. So there is even more separation in the women's game between the mids and P5s.

Hell no. UTSA will not win a national title in any sport in my lifetime. Too little money. If we ever make any kind of a run, I'm sure someone will just lure our coach away with the promise of more $$.

(04-04-2015 02:15 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  

(04-04-2015 12:04 PM)shyminer Wrote:  Memphis almost did it...recently.

Yes, Memphis almost pulled it off recently and back in the 70s as well. I was pulling for them even then and still like 'em except when they play MT in F'Ball or Baseball. BUT here is the great irony; when they got close both times they were SLAPPED down by the almighty NCAA! Same for Western Kentucky! Same for UMASS! Notice a Trend! No similar punishment has happened to UNC, or UCLA, or Michigan State, or Indiana. Mighty hard for the little fellas to fillout a championship squad without severe scrutiny!

Yeah, I notice a trend. Memphis and UMass were both coached by a cheater who got caught.

1 out of 350 (estimate) wins the damn thing. No one in C-USA will likely ever be that one. So what. There is so much to play for besides a National Championship. Rival games, conferenace championships, tournament championships, beating a top ranked team, etc. Thant's the enjoyment I get out of C-USA Basketball.

Only 35 teams or so have ever Won the basketball championship. 4 or 5 teams not in power conferences currently have won since the 60s. If you get serious about the money you put in you can pull a championship. It will likely never, ever happen in football with how it is monopolized and due to the huge gap in programs.