Mid-majors proving worth in March Madness. Will it fix schedule problems?

PORTLAND, OR – As the mid-majors continue to succeed in the NCAA Tournament, the noise around the difficulty in getting opportunities to prove themselves gets louder.

After No. 12 seed High Point knocked off No. 5 Wisconsin in the first round, coach Flynn Clayman drew attention when he said his team couldn’t get games against major opponents.

“It’s pretty obvious to me that something needs to be done about this nonconference scheduling,” he said. “That team (Wisconsin) right there is a fantastic team that beat five top-10 teams. If we can get games like this on neutral courts and some home games, I think we’d know who’s really the best teams.”

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It’s been a major talking point this season, mostly surrounding the historic season Miami (Ohio) had. Despite going 31-0 in the regular season, its NCAA Tournament resume was debated because of the quality of opponents the RedHawks faced, not facing any Quad 1 or 2 opponents during the campaign.

However, Extra Points reported Miami (Ohio) tried to schedule several Power conference teams, but weren’t successful, highlighting the struggle quality mid-major teams face in trying to prove themselves.

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See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer after defeating the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.

The Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders perform in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

A view of Buddy the Street Dog as Queens University of Charlotte Royals guard Yoav Berman talks to the media during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2026.

The High Point Panthers band performs prior to a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

High Point Panthers fans cheer prior to a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

The Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders preform during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

The South Florida Bulls mascot performs during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.

The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleaders perform in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

The Troy Trojans mascot dances on the floor during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.

The UCF Knights band performs during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.

Nebraska Cornhuskers cheerleaders perform during the second half against the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.

A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader performs during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

With Miami (Ohio) beating SMU in the First Four and High Point and VCU advancing to the second round, they showed they could hang with Power conference teams. Ahead of playing Arkansas, Clayman said his comments were misunderstood, and the main issue he has is high-major teams don’t really benefit from playing teams like his.

“They are doing what’s best for their program. I would love to see a system for the fans and for the game of college basketball where it’s better for them to play those games,” he said. “I’ve seen over time that now the good mid-majors don’t get a chance to play anymore because of the system. If we can just tweak that a little bit, then they’ll be right back to playing.

“I put zero blame on high-major programs for doing what’s best for them,” Clayman added.

It’s a similar sentiment to what Miami coach Travis Steele said after it lost to Tennessee in the first round, mentioning how so much of the struggle is “analytically driven” and things such as KenPom and NET rankings need adjustments.

There’s been plenty said from mid-major coaches, but what about those in charge of major programs?

Arkansas’ John Calipari, as well as Gonzaga’s Mark Few, know all about it. Calipari got his start at UMass and recalled playing two-for-ones — two games at a Power school for one home game — and how it was frustrating even then to get that.

“We did anything we could to schedule games. To get home games. I’ve been there. It’s hard,” Calipari said. “No one wants to play a team that they think are going to be really good, and they’re not going to do it on the road. You’re just not going to go on the road. That’s why I was doing two-for-ones.”

Calipari commended High Point for its season, noting “do you know how good they must be and well-coached” to have 31 wins. He mentioned how getting administrative investment is a key for mid-majors to reach the next level of success. Arkansas did play an NCAA Tournament team in the regular season in Queens, and barely beat another notable mid-major in Winthrop.

No one may be better suited to talk about it than Few. With Gonzaga since 1989 and in charge since 1999, he’s led the Bulldogs’ evolution from mid-major trying to prove itself to a national power.

The simplest way to get those games in Few’s eyes? Be a consistent winner, starting with the Big Dance.

“We were in that plight 25 years ago. You just have to win. You have to break through in the tournament. The tournament gives you an avenue to do that and a stage to do that. Once you do that, you do it a couple years in a row, then you are able to get those games,” Few said.

High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) reacts after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Chase Johnston #99 of the High Point Panthers shakes hands as he walks off the court after their 83-82 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Braden Hausen (15) and forward Terry Anderson (5) celebrate during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman reacts during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The High Point Panthers cheerleaders react during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

The High Point Panthers fans cheer during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Chase Johnston #99 of the High Point Panthers reacts with teammate Rob Martin #3 after making a basket against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: The High Point Panthers Athletic Band perform before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Rob Martin #3 of the High Point Panthers shoots against John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. The Panthers won 83-82 in regulation.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Braden Hausen #15 of the High Point Panthers celebrates his block with teammate Terry Anderson #5 against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Chase Johnston #99 of the High Point Panthers celebrates his three-point basket against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: High Point Panthers fans are seen before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Youssouf Singare #24 of the High Point Panthers talk after the Panthers 83-82 win in regulation in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) and guard John Blackwell (25) react during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

He added of all the things needed to become a national power, scheduling was by far the most difficult thing to do, needing sustained success rather than little spurts of stardom to gain respect.

“It’s not something you’re going to be given. You’re going to have to go out and earn it. You’ve got to earn it for quite a while,” Few said. “Once you prove yourselves, everybody wants to play you.”

While there isn’t any indication changes will be made or not, mid-major teams have proven they can back up their outstanding records by playing with the big boys. It may be frustrating to deal with ahead and during the season, but when these teams reach the NCAA Tournament, there’s no way to avoid them any longer.

It only helps their case when you let those Cinderella stories thrive.

“I think there was some teams that ducked us this year. But, I mean, like coach Flynn say, ‘we’re here now,’” said High Point forward Cam’ron Fletcher. “There’s no ducking anymore.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness upsets unveils mid-major scheduling hurdles

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