Flynn Clayman, the head coach of High Point, made waves in the aftermath of his team's stunning upset of Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament. Clayman's fiery post-game comments have ignited a debate about the scheduling practices in college basketball, particularly the lack of opportunities for mid-major teams to play against high-major opponents.
Clayman's frustration stems from the perception that his team, despite a strong regular season record, was deemed less worthy due to its perceived weak schedule. He argues that high-majors need to play mid-majors early in the season to level the playing field. This sentiment resonates with Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele, who has also advocated for more balanced scheduling.
Steele's RedHawks, with an undefeated regular season record, faced criticism for their weak schedule, which ranked 339th out of 365 teams in the NET rankings. However, they made a statement by defeating SMU from the ACC in the First Four. Clayman sees this as a testament to the strength of mid-major programs.
The High Point coach's comments highlight a deeper issue in college basketball. He believes that non-conference scheduling needs reform to ensure that mid-majors get the recognition they deserve. Clayman's team, having beaten a Power 5 team, is now aiming for the Sweet 16, challenging the notion that mid-majors are inferior.
This controversy raises questions about the fairness of tournament selection and the impact of scheduling on team rankings. Clayman's passionate stance has sparked a much-needed conversation about the need for more equitable opportunities for mid-major programs in the highly competitive world of college basketball.
