Don't Get Used to the Mid-Major....

For 2 out of the last 5 years a school from a mid-major conference has made the final four in men's college basketball. George Mason in 2006 and now Butler this year made memorable tournament runs, and we almost saw the Bulldogs pull of a milestone upset against Duke. In the history of college basketball, we haven't seen many of the smaller schools from a non-power conference play into the third weekend of the NCAA Tournament. So, don't get used to seeing Cinderella wear the slipper all the way to the end.

George Mason's and Butler's story is "heart felt" and true "feel-good stories" for college basketball, but for those of you who have jumped on the mid-major bandwagon, you might want to hop back off.

These stories don't come along everyday and it takes a special group of young men to go this far. Truth is, the major power conferences are going to get all the great recruits, who will automatically have the talent to make a team "Final Four Worthy", and might leave after only a season or two. Mid-major conferences will try to get the athlete to come to their school who believes in the "team game" and may get better in their system. To build a team of players who are all in it for the team, is hard to find these days. Look at the past, how many mid-major schools have been to the final four in the last twenty years? Only the two I mentioned, so finding these "team players" who are good enough to take you into the third weekend, doesn't neccessarily grow on trees.

Some may say "Butler is good and young", but do you know how hard it is to make to consecutive final fours'? Especially, when your a mid-major? Gordon Heyward could go pro, injuries could occur, and this team will not sneak up on anyone next year. Those of you already penciling-in Butler for another run, better breathe a little!

Mid-major accolades make for great stories, but that is exactly what they are stories, and not the norm. We all love to see the "little man" triumph; history shows us however, they don't have triumphant finishes a lot.

Next year, get ready to see the perennial powers come back to form and kick the little man back to the back of the line. A good "tall-tale" is a fun read, but like I said before, its just a story that will stand out, and not the norm!

2006's George Mason and 2010's Butler will be those stories. Now time to get back to the "real world" where more times than not, the norm usually prevails.

Until Next Time, Adios!