As we get closer to February, I am very excited to see how many great mid-major programs we have vying for not just tourney spots, but at-large bids.  It's a wonderful thing.  There's still a lot of basketball left to be played, but I can only hope to see more mid-majors than ever with higher seeds and more at-large bids. 

Here's a a list ranking of the top mid-majors this season that we should all see in the big dance.  This is with the acknowledgement that for many of these programs, mid-major may not be a true and fair label for these teams. 


1)  Murray State

2) UNLV

3) Creighton 

4) Gonzaga

5) Harvard 

6) San Diego State

7) Wichita State

8) St. Mary's

9) Oral Roberts

10) MTSU (special props for my alma mater)

11) Weber State

12) New Mexico

13) Southern Miss

14) St. Louis

15) B.Y.U.

16) Iona

17) Nevada

18) V.C.U.

19) Ohio

20) Xavier

21) Long Beach State

22) Wyoming

23) Dayton

24) Temple

25) Cleveland State

26) George Mason


So there's my top 25 for the year on thew "mid-major" level.  Notice how Memphis couldn't even make the list.  And if the "experts" on CBS can do a top 25 + 1, why not me?  Would love to hear some feedback from others.  Any changes or omissions that anyone can see and back up, let me know.