The term “mid-major” has been through its fair of controversy, as many “power” conference teams have continually been out performed by a handful of programs from outside of those conferences. Names like Gonzaga, Butler (before conference realignment), Wichita State, St. Joseph’s and others have popped up on the national radar for strong seasons, and all have been rewarded in March.
Truth be told, the idea of being a mid-major has less to do with the strength of a program and more to do with the cache of certain conferences versus the likes of the Big 12, Big Ten, and others. Here, we use the term with nothing but adoration, and simply as a way to organize certain programs together. As you will see below, nothing about the five selected for our Non-Power All-American team says “mid”.
Nic Moore, Point Guard, SMU: The straw that stirs SMU’s drink. Moore averages 14.6 points, 5.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game for Larry Brown and the Mustangs.
Tyler Haws, Guard, BYU: Averages 22.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for the Cougars. There may not be a player in American who fits their college system better than Haws in Provo.
Derrick Marks, Guard, Boise State: Has carried the Broncos from an 0-3 conference start to the brink of Bubble consideration. Averages 20.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on a mind boggling 52.2-percent from the field.
Seth Tuttle, Forward, Northern Iowa: The “mid-major Frank Kaminsky” does it all for the Panthers, with 15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while being efficient from all three levels.
Kyle Wiltjer, Forward, Gonzaga: Few players have transformed their college story more than Wiltjer, who has blossomed into one of the nation’s best players since leaving Kentucky and finding his comfort zone with Mark Few.
