(St. Louis, MO) – The most energetic man in college basketball is a leading a movement. Mark Adams has been called ‘The Voice of the Mid Majors‘ and now he may be the Mid Major Architect.
We outlined Adams’ career path in the first part of this interview (@EnthusiAdams is Changing Landscapes). As a former coach and active broadcaster for mostly mid-major conferences, he has become something of an expert on the needs of those programs.
The author of the #DoMoreWithLess movement (Twitter handle @EnthusiAdams) is helping leagues strategize about ways to enhance their postseason opportunities. Programs outside the ‘Money Conferences’ struggle to schedule games that will build a solid postseason resume.
The Strategy
After deep research and interviews with people in the college game Adams has come up with several ideas that would help the so-called mid major programs. Conference USA enlisted the help of the Mid Major Architect to contribute to some strategic planning.
In what NBC Sports called a ‘brilliant change’ C-USA has decided to play its final four regular season games with postseason in mind. They will reseed the teams into three brackets according to the standings. Those teams will then play one another to finish the season. The pods will find the top 5 teams matching up with one another, creating compelling games for the viewing of the NCAA Selection Committee.
Teams six through ten and eleven through 14 will play a similar format. Adams told me it was Kermit Davis that made the first overture to the Mid Major Architect. Years of study and research convinced Adams that it was time for the mid majors to do a little colluding. Concluding the mid majors couldn’t compete financially, Adams suggests they utilize other strategies.
“We viewed this as a great opportunity to enhance our top teams’ resumes by providing them additional quality games,” said C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod. “This will provide a real-time analysis to create competitive matchups for teams and their fans.”
MacLeod emphasizes that non-conference scheduling will continue to be a priority. She told conferenceusa.com that the new format would enhance their top teams. The league site describes it’s seeding process.
“The top 12 teams based on final league standings will be seeded in the conference tournament. Teams will be guaranteed seeding within their respective group. For example, if a program lands in the second group (6-10), it will seed no higher than six and no lower than 10 in the tournament field.”
Meanwhile, the West Coast Conference has also been making radical scheduling changes.
Sister Jean & Final Thoughts
Before we finished our conversation, I asked the Mid Major Architect about his relationship with Sister Jean of Loyola. His response was heartfelt, but he also finished our with a declaration of his love for college basketball.
Adams is the ‘Pied Piper’, the ‘John the Baptist’, and the ‘Mid Major Architect’ all because he cares. Mid major fans everywhere are glad he is singing our song.
Do Good
Twitter Feed
.@SEMOMBB wins at home and is 2-0, tied with @MSUEaglesMBB atop the @OVCSports. Our prayers are with the @LRTrojans after the death of one of their managers Josh Claxton. Their game with EIU was postponed today.
Good officiating in the @SEMOMBB/@SIUEMBB in a little late game dust up.
BTW, @LindenwoodWBB is 2-0. @CoachAmyEagan has that program headed the right direction.
With @SkyhawkHoops winning on the road and @LUMensBball winning at home, right now, 5 @OVCSports teams are 1-1.
