While there are not really statistics to prove it, it seems this year is shaping up to be better than 2008-09 in terms of significant mid major wins.  The MidMajority is showing an uptick in “Redline Upsets”, where a mid major team defeats a team from the richer power conferences, with 16.3% of financial underdogs prevailing as opposed to 13.4% last year.  While that number is great, we are also seeing a good number of significant, resume-boosting wins from mid major at-large contenders defeating probable NCAA Tournament teams from power conferences.  Last year, the Sienas, Utah States and Saint Mary’s of the world suffered from a lack of quality wins against high majors, which of course was pointed to repeatedly by the red faced meatballs that cover college ball for ESPN.  It is going to be very difficult to make the “who have they beaten?” argument this year.

VCU 82, Oklahoma 69:  Although they somehow lost to Western Michigan, the Rams should benefit from the fact they passed their toughest test of the year.
William & Mary 78, Wake Forest 68: A wire-to-wire win at Wake Forest is difficult for any team to do, but the Tribe dominated the Deacons in Winston-Salem.  It was a statement win for them and the CAA.
Bradley 72, Illinois 68:  A step in the right direction towards the Missouri Valley getting multiple NCAA bids, as Illinois is expected to compete for the Big Ten title.
Portland 61, Minnesota 56:  Providing Minnesota competes for an NCAA bid (as expected), the Pilots now have what Saint Mary’s lacked last year: a quality Top-25 victory.  Hammering UCLA was icing on the cake.
Richmond 63, Mississippi State 62: The Spiders also knocked off Missouri at South Padre Island, and have shots remaining against VCU, Florida and South Carolina to put together an NCAA-worthy nonconference performance.
Northern Iowa 81, Boston College 69: The Missouri Valley favorites now have a win over a potential at-large ACC team in their back pockets.