(09-27-2020 12:47 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-27-2020 09:15 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-27-2020 08:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  There is an easier way to do this:

Power: over half the teams consistently receive bids P6*
Major: ~ a quarter of the teams consistently receive bids AAC A10
Mid-Major: a couple teams consistently receive bids MWC# WCC
Small: consistently a one bid conference SoCon

I agree, these days there seems to be no difference between the Mid-Major and Small conferences with leagues like the MVC being overtly screwed out of multiple bids.

*The Pac 12 hasn’t performed like a Power since 2016, and is trending towards Major.

#The MWC looks like a Major on paper, but has performed like a Mid-Major the last five years or so.

IMO, these are the only “Blue Bloods”, and it is based on a trophy case (no matter how dusty) and history: UCLA, Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Indiana, Kansas.

UConn has won four titles in the last 21 years — all since IU has won their last in ‘87 — so there is an argument there. UConn is still a little nouveau riche, but as time goes on with continued success they will surely join the upper crust.

I agree with this overall. But if I were to characterize the MWC as "mid-major" in men's hoops (I doubt I would), I would make clear that some programs in that league are major (UNLV and New Mexico, in particular).

I don’t categorize programs in a power/major/mid-major context, just conferences. That’s just me, otherwise I’d go crazy.

You are not alone, esayem. That is the more practical and commonly done method.

However, I do categorize based on individual programs because as a long-time fan of Cincinnati, DePaul and Memphis, I sometimes over the years have been forced to deal with nonsense from fans (not you, to be clear) who are either 1. clueless or 2. smartasses.

I don't want to "penalize" outstanding people, organizations, athletic programs, etc., for circumstantial associations with others and for which they have little, or no, control.

Some people categorize the Atlantic 10 as a "mid-major" league. I don't. But even if so, A10 member Dayton is a major to high-major program that has earned that designation through its own strong efforts. I give full credit. Same with Gonzaga in the WCC.