The recent exclusion of George Mason University (GMU) and others from the 2025 NCAA Tournament has ignited debates about the selection process, particularly with the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings and the growing dominance of powerhouse conferences like the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12. With these four conferences absorbing more tournament bids and controlling increasing amounts of NCAA revenue, many are now asking: Are we witnessing the end of mid-majors in March Madness? Will the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 phase out smaller programs entirely?

George Mason’s Tournament Snub and Ranking Implications

George Mason finished the season with a 26-8 record, reaching the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference Tournament final before falling to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Despite their impressive run, the Patriots were left out of the NCAA Tournament.

The NET ranking system, which replaced the RPI as the NCAA’s primary selection metric, played a crucial role in this decision. George Mason’s 1-4 record against Quadrant 1 opponents hurt their standing, while their dominance in Quadrant 2 games (4-0) and solid performances in Quadrant 3 and 4 matchups (9-3, 11-1) were seemingly not enough. (bballnet.com)

However, had the old RPI system been used instead of NET, George Mason would have ranked 29th—easily good enough for an at-large bid. This stark contrast suggests that NET rankings inherently favor teams from major conferences, which benefit from tougher schedules and more high-profile games.

Other Notable 

Mid-Major Snubs

George Mason’s exclusion is not an isolated incident. Several other mid-majors were also left out of the tournament despite strong seasons:

Boise State Broncos: 24-10 record, second in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Despite their strong season, a 0-3 record against Colorado State was used as justification for their omission. 

UC Irvine Anteaters: 28-6 record, Big West Conference champions. Despite their success, three Quadrant 3 losses and a lack of high-profile wins kept them out. 

The NCAA Tournament was once built on underdog stories, but as power conferences consolidate control, it appears mid-majors are being pushed out.

The SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12’s Takeover of College Basketball

In a historic first,

 The rise of the Big 12 has also played a major role in the tournament’s shifting landscape. Once considered a football-first conference, the Big 12 has aggressively expanded its basketball influence.

Conference Expansion

Adding Houston, BYU, UCF, and Cincinnati strengthened the Big 12’s basketball profile, leading to 8 NCAA bids this year.

Investment in Basketball: Programs like Kansas and Baylor have led the way in recruiting and coaching hires, ensuring the conference remains dominant.

Massive NIL Funding: Big 12 schools, much like their SEC counterparts, have leveraged NIL deals to attract top-tier talent, making it even harder for mid-majors to compete.

The financial incentives for these four power conferences are clear: The more teams they get into the tournament, the more revenue they secure—leaving smaller conferences fighting for scraps.

Are We Witnessing the End of Mid-Majors in March Madness?

The NCAA Tournament is shifting towards a power-conference dominated event, where SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 teams control the field. Signs of this transformation include:

• More Tournament Bids Going to Power Conferences: The SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 claimed over 55% percent of this year’s bids, an all-time high.

• Conference Realignment Hurts Mid-Majors: As schools like San Diego State, Gonzaga, and Memphis consider moves to power conferences, mid-major leagues are being weakened.

• NCAA’s Financial Incentives Favor Big Schools: The NCAA makes more money when blue-blood teams advance, giving them a clear motivation to prioritize power conferences.

• Expansion Discussions Could Cut Out Mid-Majors Entirely: There have been talks of an expanded tournament where automatic bids for mid-majors could be reduced or eliminated.

If these trends continue, March Madness could soon be nothing more than an invitational for the biggest brands in college basketball—with no room for Cinderellas.