This week on The IX Sports Podcast College Basketball Edition, hosts Melissa Triebwasser and Michael Waterloo are joined by Tacarra Barnes and Courtney Lumpkin of the Mid-Majors Podcast to talk — you guessed it — about the mid-major conferences.
Barnes played at Tennessee Tech University and Lumpkin played at Morehead State University during the same period, from 2008 to 2012. Both had excellent college careers, and after leaving college, realized they missed basketball. So they started up their own podcast.
With the success of the transfer portal, Triebwasser said, the general public has “lost a lot of appreciation for what those programs can accomplish and and the success that they have in the tournament and in their own leagues.”
Triebwasser asked Lumpkin and Barnes why they have felt drawn to continue covering those “under-known, undervalued, under spotlighted programs.”
Barnes said that for her, it’s personal.
“I played there, I was there, I didn’t get the recognition. I felt like I was someone who deserved to be on a bigger stage by the time that I was there, especially when I played against the power four schools. You know, I made a name for myself at my university, but really, man, everybody loves a Cinderella story for the most part, especially when it comes to just March Madness,” Barnes explained.
Guests and hosts on the podcast this week were skeptical that the expanded NCAA Tournament field would allow more mid-major teams to get in on the March action.
Triebwasser asked Lumpkin and Barnes about their perspectives on the Protect College Sports Act, a piece of federal legislation with the stated goal of regulating the transfer portal and name, image and likeness at the federal level. Although most people associate it with football, Triebwasser said she expects it to have a trickle-down effect in women’s sports. She asked what steps mid-majors can take in the current sports environment to build and maintain rosters — and be a part of the Cinderella stories so many people used to love about March.
Lumpkin said it was difficult to evaluate because of the fractured landscape of college sports at this point.
Then the crew turned to discuss some possibly promising programs this season. Triebwasser said Lamar University is a program she is excited to watch this season.
Barnes said she think Murray State could be a threat this year, with most of the team’s roster returning.
Tune in to the episode to hear other picks for sleeper teams in the mid-majors!
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