My Thoughts on Bracketbusters

This past weekend, we saw ESPN give their annual dedication to the mid-majors in the form of ESPN Bracketbusters. All weekend there were matchups between some of the country's top mid-major teams, as decided upon by ESPN, broadcasted on their various networks. Bracketbusters has its fair share of pundits and critics, and I personally am a fan of the concept.

For one, I'm a huge mid major fan. Say what you will, but there's something about that underdog story that I love, and for mid majors, every game feels like do or die, and this is especially true in the Bracketbuster weekend, where many teams get their last big shot to impress the committee with a key out of conference win.

The games are also a nice break from conference play, and gives the committee a shot to see how much the teams have changed since conference play began. Look at the CAA for instance. Early in the season, their out of conference play was terrible, but since December, they have got healthy and become comfortable, and are really different teams, as Drexel, VCU, George Mason, and ODU proved on Friday and Saturday.

The games also give some much needed widespread attention to mid majors. Teams like Buffalo and Weber State, who have quietly put together very nice seasons, have been buried by the attention given to BCS schools. This is their chance to take center stage and show the country why they should keep these teams in mind come March.

Now, the system isn't perfect. Unfortunately, with the designation of "Home" and "Away" teams every year, matchups can get quirky and a bit lopsided for who they can help. This year, for instance, a lot of "Home" teams had high RPIs, yet they couldn't match up with one another, due to them both being home teams. With ESPN deciding who gets TV time and who doesn't as well, some teams who really need the exposure to try and get an at-large bid don't get it.

But overall, I'm a fan of the concept and what it has done. Bracketbusters has propelled teams like George Mason, Butler, VCU, Northern Iowa, and Witchita State to deep runs in the tournament in March, and at the end of the day, that's enough reason for me to consider it a success.