Gonzaga put them on the map in 1999. The Bulldogs lost to eventual NCAA champion Connecticut in the Elite Eight, but after that, the mid-major conferences would never be overlooked again.

That is, until 2002, when Southern Illinois made it to the Sweet 16 and Kent State made it to the Elite Eight. And last year, Butler advanced to the Sweet 16.

This year, though, no one should be surprised when teams in second-tier conferences upset some higher seeds in the NCAA Tournament. But with Gonzaga a lock for a high seed this year, Western Michigan is trying to do its best impression of the Bulldogs.

The Broncos have always battled for second-rate talent while the major conferences attract the stars and the scouts. But while the major talent is thinking about leaving college early, WMU players are concentrating on teamwork and getting stronger.

‘If I was to describe the success of this team in one word, it would be unselfish,’ Western Michigan head coach Steve Hawkins said. ‘The one thing we don’t have is five people behind every kid telling him he should declare for the NBA draft. Our kids can be more focused.’

WMU (19-3, 12-2) and a handful of mid-major teams are flying under the national radar this season. But in March, the Broncos hope the rest of college basketball will know who they are. The Broncos lead the Mid-American West Conference with a 12-2 record and they have not lost to a major conference team in their last eight games.

‘I think our kids are no longer in awe of the big conferences,’ Hawkins said. ‘We’ve got a team that really shares the ball well.’

‘More (mid-major) guys have a chip on their shoulder,’ Ball State head coach Tim Buckley said. ‘A lot of guys do that to prove they can play with the best teams in the country.’

Three players average more than 10 points in the Broncos fast-paced offense. MAC player of the year candidate Mike Williams leads the team with 18.2 points per game, including a season-high 31 points in an 83-65 thrashing of Southern California on Nov. 21.

Junior guard Ben Reed is No. 6 in the nation in 3-point percentage at .514. He had a season-high 36 points in a win against another major conference team, Arizona State, 81-76, on Dec. 30.

WMU, which plays four seniors, three juniors and only one sophomore, has a lot to prove this postseason.

‘When a mid-major team is in the mix, they usually have some good seniors,’ Bowling Green head coach Dan Dakich said. ‘(In the MAC), whoever has the most seniors usually wins.’

The MAC is only guaranteed one NCAA tournament spot every year. Western Michigan and Kent State, also 19-3, should be favorites to receive tournament bids this year.

While mid-major teams don’t usually get a lot of press coverage or nationally-televised games, there are some advantages to keeping a low profile. ‘There’s two sides of it,’ Dakich said. ‘Coach (Bobby) Knight at Indiana could have gotten on a player because everyone in the state would kiss his ass. If I get on a kid, he goes back to the dorm and no one knows about it. Our players are not babied or spoiled.’

One and Done?

Turning down a Duke basketball scholarship is like turning down Harvard for academics. You’d either have to be insane or insanely good to do it.

Minnesota freshman Kris Humphries did exactly that though, and while the Gophers may be suffering through a difficult season, his personal achievements have made him stand out in any crowd.

Humphries, a native of Chaska, Minn., originally signed with Duke but transferred to Minnesota before the season started without losing any eligibility.

‘He stepped in here with a man’s body and he plays like a man,’ Minnesota head coach Dan Monson said. ‘He’s got a lot of pieces already in the puzzle.’

Humphries is one of only two freshmen who are candidates for this year’s Wooden Award, given to college basketball’s player of the year. His Melo-esque numbers and his maturity make him an interesting prospect for next year’s NBA draft.

‘I compare him to a young Karl Malone type of player,’ Monson said. ‘I don’t think you ever expect a freshman to come in and be as ready as he’s been.’

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward leads the Big Ten Conference in scoring and rebounds with 22 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Carmelo Anthony averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds last year for Syracuse.

‘I don’t think he’s a freshman,’ Monson said. ‘He’s beyond those years. A lot of players can go get 20 points and 10 rebounds per game but Kris does it every night. His consistency sets him apart from most other players.’

Player of the Week

North Carolina State, Jr., Julius Hodge

North Carolina and Duke were holding true to all the Atlantic Coast Conference hype. Duke held the No. 1 ranking for four straight weeks and UNC had been in the top 10 consistently throughout the season, until last week.

North Carolina State is now the talk of the ACC after breaking into the Top 25 and beating No. 1 Duke on Feb. 15 and Florida State, Feb. 10. Forward Julius Hodge is the man who has led the way.

Hodge, who was on SU’s recruiting radar before signing with the Wolfpack, scored 18 points in the 78-74 win against the Blue Devils and had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the 75-59 win against the Seminoles.

‘I think, right now, Hodge is the best player in the league,’ Virginia head coach Pete Gillen said after a Feb. 7 game.

Hodge is No. 2 in the ACC with 18.3 points per game and was named a finalist for the Naismith award Tuesday. NC State is currently ranked No. 13.

This and that

UNLV head coach Charlie Spoonhour resigned Tuesday after three years with the Runnin’ Rebels. Spoonhour would not specify but cited health problems as the reason for his resignation. His son, Jay, will serve as interim head coach. … John Stockton’s No. 12 jersey was retired Wednesday night during halftime of the Gonzaga-Portland game. Stockton graduated from Gonzaga in 1984 and holds the school record for steals with 262. … Texas Tech head coach Bobby Knight has dropped a lawsuit against Indiana University he filed four years ago after being fired. Knight’s position with the Hoosiers was terminated after he violated a no-tolerance behavior policy. … Florida sophomore guard Christian Drejer has accepted a deal to play for F.C. Barcelona in Spain and will leave the Gators immediately. … Stanford (21-0) and St. Joseph’s (23-0) moved to No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll.

Published on February 18, 2004 at 12:00 pm