Miami is ranked No. 23 in the Mid-Major Top 25. That’s something to celebrate as validation for the season just completed. But there are things to learn from this T-25 list.
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While some in the MAC moaned about the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge, both conferences are solidly represented in the T-25. For the top MAC teams, this is a good thing, hed-to-hed.
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Miami is one of two MAC teams in the T-25 and one of three including ‘others getting votes.’ There is much respect for the MAC with its peers, especially at the top of the food chain.
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This list is a solid starting point for non-con scheduling. Akron played 4 teams on this list (St. Mary’s, Yale, Milwaukee, Omaha) as well as Arkansas State in the Sun Belt.
Kent played four teams on this list as well (UC Irvine, Towson, Arkansas State, Cleveland State). Akron went 1-3 in their games Kent went 3-1. Which really doesn’t matter. The object is strength of schedule.
When you add in the MAC Games, most seasons against MAC MM T-25 teams, that’s 4-6 more games counting the MAC Tournament. You’re talking 10 games against solid-plus mid-major competition. That’s 1/3 of the schedule. Add in 2-3 P5 games, and that’s what a solid MAC schedule should look like for every team in the MAC, but especially the top 4-6 teams in the league.
I think this shows just how far Miami basketball has come in the past three years. But the burden that Miami carries (fairly or un-fairly) is the league is considered a quality mid-major when Miami is in the mix. Nice to be back in that conversation.