Post by kevinudm on Aug 15, 2018 20:33:52 GMT -6
Matt Craig has run an interesting six-part article on Mid-Major Madness titled "The Cinderella Code" about low-majors who have managed to make NCAA Tourney runs, to the Final Four or even the national championship game. Lots of focus of course on George Mason, Butler, VCU and Loyola. Three of the four schools parlayed their tournament success into conference upgrades, while the Missouri Valley Conference had the prescience to snare Loyola when they were on the cusp of success.
The final installment focuses on potential future Cinderella's. Craig believes that there are four criteria to identify the next success stories, and each criterion has a related benchmark:
Based on these criteria, Craig believes that three mid-majors that are best poised to make the leap are Grand Canyon U, Penn and Lipscomb.
Obviously Penn will never change conference affiliations. But GCU and Lipscomb have been the focus of major speculation; each has already outgrown their current conference. It's unfortunate that the HL is not currently well-positioned to court new membership, as Lipscomb/Belmont or GCU/NMSU would be attractive additions to the Horizon or MVC or any league which could attract them.
Read the full article here:
www.midmajormadness.com/2018/8/14/17688380/the-cinderella-code-part-6-who-will-be-next-mid-major-to-make-the-final-four-grand-canyon-penn
link
The final installment focuses on potential future Cinderella's. Craig believes that there are four criteria to identify the next success stories, and each criterion has a related benchmark:
- A coach who’s an outsider / The coach shouldn’t have played high level Division I basketball or be an assistant coach for a long time under a hall of famer
- Players who are catalysts / None of the players should average more than 16 points per game
- An administration that supports the basketball program / The school shouldn’t have a football program
- A fearless attitude / The team should win close games to prove their clutch ability
Based on these criteria, Craig believes that three mid-majors that are best poised to make the leap are Grand Canyon U, Penn and Lipscomb.
Obviously Penn will never change conference affiliations. But GCU and Lipscomb have been the focus of major speculation; each has already outgrown their current conference. It's unfortunate that the HL is not currently well-positioned to court new membership, as Lipscomb/Belmont or GCU/NMSU would be attractive additions to the Horizon or MVC or any league which could attract them.
Read the full article here:
www.midmajormadness.com/2018/8/14/17688380/the-cinderella-code-part-6-who-will-be-next-mid-major-to-make-the-final-four-grand-canyon-penn
link
