For the vast majority of Division I schools, an at-large bid is nothing but a dream. When you come from conferences like the SWAC, MEAC and Big Sky, getting your name called on Selection Sunday is virtually impossible no matter how many games you won during the regular season. After all, to be in the at-large pool at all means that you lost at least one game in your low-major conference. We all know how the Selection Committee treats that situation - pack your bags for the NIT.
It has now been 16 years since the last true low-major at-large, going to John Kresse's superb 1994 College of Charleston team. Prior to that, Alcorn State (SWAC, 1980) and Middle Tennessee State (OVC, 1987) recieved golden tickets to the tournament. The one thing that all three of those teams share is that, despite their lower-tier conference affiliation, they were well-established programs on the national scene. Alcorn State in the early 80's was a frantic pain in the ass to play - for anybody. Similarly, the College of Charleston were proven giant killers when they got a bid. Once you've made a splash on the national scene, you have a chance to get a real look.
Theoretically a low-major team can come out of nowhere to post a 32-1 or 30-2 regular season and lose in the conference tournament and get a good look. They would certainly be one of the most debated teams on those terrible bracketology segments on Sportscenter. But in those situations if the team is that good, they'll win the automatic bid anyways.
Unfortunately, there is currently only one low-major team with a chance to make a "splash" on the national scene, and that is Murray State. After a 31-5 season highlighted by an upset win over fourth-seeded Vanderbilt, the Racers are in the unique position of having high expectations. As we discussed, they are supposed to be good. The national media is aware that most of their parts are back from last year, where a botched possession against Butler led to a heartbreaking 54-52 Second Round loss. Who knows - maybe Murray State was one of the best ten teams in last years tournament. Its just unfortunate that they had to run into the second-best team.
Murray State faces UNLV today after outlasting Stanford in the quarterfinals of the 76 Classic. They have a game against NCAA hopeful UNLV today, and then (no matter what happens) a game against either Virginia Tech or Oklahoma State. It is all right there in front of them, and its their only chance to make their splash and get the Committees attention.
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