5. Northern Iowa Panthers
After heated research and debate I decided to put Northern Iowa in the first, but really last spot of our favorite mid-majors and that is due to one play. Yes, I am talking about Ali Farokmanesh's shot to beat Kansas. First though, the Panthers made the tournament from 2004-2007 and then again from 2009-2010 however they've only advance past the first round once, and yes that was in 2010 when Farokmanesh decided to jack up a dagger in the most inappropriate time. But, when you hit ridiculous shots like that you've earned your stripes here on BDD&C. That 2010 team was not only awesome to watch on the court, they were awesome to look at. Actually just Lucas O'Rear. I mean how could you stop a ginger from Iowa with mean sideburns, who averaged like 2.0 points and 3 rebounds? Still to this day I cannot believe, A, that he shot that ball and B, that he made it. "ARE YOU SERIOUS WITH THAT SHOT?" Kansas was so stunned that they inbounded the ball and immediately ran into the first purple jersey they could find. Offensive foul. Game. Set. Match.
4. Creighton Blue Jays
Creighton is a little bit more old school since they haven't made the tournament since '07, but in a span from '99 to '07 the Blue Jays only missed the tournament twice. The most famous Blue Jay is of course, sharpshooter, Kyle Korver who has made a living off the three pointer. In college, he was even more prolific. Korver has the most made three pointers in Missouri Valley Conference history, and in mid-major talk, that means he's a god. Now in that span Creighton only made the second round twice. They truly burst on the scene when guard Terrell Taylor hit a buzzer beater to beat Florida in the first round of the 2002 tournament. Another notable Blue Jay is Anthony Tolliver who currently plays for the NBA's worst team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tolliver is one of the lankiest and goofiest players in the NBA today, and his college track record is clearly not good enough to play in the NBA. But I guess the T-Wolves are just the world's worst small market team, or Creighton is just that well respected in the scouting world.
3. Southern Illinois Salukis
Before I talk basketball, what the hell is a Saluki? Wikipedia tells us that it's some awkward looking dog with copious amounts of hair in weird locations. But the Saluki's were the kings of mid-major basketball from 2002-2007 when they didn't miss a tournament. They reached the Sweet Sixteen in both 2002 and 2007. In '07 the Saluki's had so firmly established themselves as the best mid-ajor team that they earned a #4 seed which they appropriately turned into a Sweet Sixteen appearance. I think what separates SIU from a ton of other solid mid-majors is that they lived up to expectations. If they were a low seed they would lose in the first or second round(not including 2002), if they were a high seed they'd lose later. They also were featured on MTV's True Life: I'm A College Baller in 2003, which I didn't watch, nor do I plan on watching ever. The most famous Saluki is Walt "Clyde" Frazier who might as well be the coolest and most ridiculous person ever associated with pro basketball. But he played in the 60s. The more recent Salukis studs, are the dreadlocks crew Jamaal Tatum who was one of the quickest guards I've ever seen and Randal Falker who just like to annihilate the rim. The Salukis run from 2002-2007 made them a household name, because consistency is everyone's favorite ingredient for success.
2. George Mason Patriots
If it wasn't for Butler's last two years, George Mason would be running away with the top spot. Since '98 George Mason has made the NCAA tournament only five times out of those 13 years, but the miracles in the '06 tournament were enough for a lifetime. Jai Lewis, who might as well played guard for the Patriots football team, was a monstrous big man who stroked the three like he thought he was Reggie Miller. I'm pretty sure the last time we saw Jai Lewis he was trying out for the Giants. But anyways, he had no business being outside of the paint, yet he was a mid-major player so he could do whatever he wanted. George Mason had a nice run last year to the Sweet Sixteen, but weren't enough to beat Ohio State. The Patriots don't have the extensive track record as Butler, but they were the first #8 seed to ever make a Final Four, and they literally shocked the world. People have taken George Mason in every first round matchup since, and no, I'm not joking.
1. Butler Bulldogs
There not just number one in our eyes because they're fresh in our minds. Butler, the Horizon League's most famous team, has made the NCAA tournament 10 out of the last 14 years. They've made the Sweet Sixteen four times, and the National Championship game in back-to-back years. When they first started this dominating run in '97, they were seeded #14. In 2010 and 2007 they were a #5 seed. Butler basketball is no joke. The last two years Butler literally turned "Cinderalla" into a goddess by reaching back-to-back National Championship games only to be thwarted by much more prestigious teams. Shelvin Mack, Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard may be the components to the greatest Mid-Major trio in the history of basketball. I mean the amount of heart, ugliness and undersizedness of these players could make Hoosiers look like a insensitive film about Kentucky basketball. I'd also like to mention AJ Graves who was probably the first famous Butler Bulldog, that kid couldn't miss if he tried. I had to give Butler the top spot because of how ridiculous their last two tournament runs were. Sorry George Mason, the Final Four isn't good enough.
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