Purdue's Matt Painter Explains Challenges of Mid-Major Scheduling

Veteran coach discusses the complexities high-major programs face in balancing competitive non-conference schedules.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:18pm

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Purdue coach Matt Painter, who previously led mid-major program Southern Illinois, offered an insider's perspective on the challenges high-major teams face in scheduling enough competitive mid-major opponents. Painter noted that while playing quality mid-majors can help boost a team's NCAA Tournament seeding, no high-major wants to overload their schedule with too many tough non-conference games. He cited examples of Purdue, Michigan, and Michigan State playing a mix of mid-major opponents to strike the right balance.

Why it matters

The scheduling dilemma between high-major and mid-major programs has been a longstanding issue in college basketball. Painter's comments provide valuable insight from someone who has experienced both sides of the debate, highlighting the complexities coaches must navigate to build a competitive non-conference schedule while also positioning their teams for postseason success.

The details

Painter, who was the head coach at Southern Illinois early in his career, understands the challenges mid-majors face in getting high-major programs to schedule them. He noted that many high-major coaches, when in a mid-major position, would do the same thing - schedule weaker opponents to boost their team's chances of making the NCAA Tournament. However, Painter also acknowledged that high-majors need to strike a balance, playing some quality mid-major opponents to help their NCAA Tournament seeding, while not overloading their schedule with too many tough non-conference games.

  • In 2026, Purdue beat Queens 104-71 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Matt Painter

The head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team, who previously served as the head coach of the Southern Illinois Salukis.

Travis Steele

The head coach of the Miami-Ohio Redhawks men's basketball team, who previously served as the head coach of the Xavier Musketeers.

Flynn Clayman

The head coach of the High Point Panthers men's basketball team, who has not yet worked at the high-major level.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, who has a longstanding friendship with Oakland Golden Grizzlies coach Greg Kampe.

Greg Kampe

The longtime head coach of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“When they say we don't play mid-majors—we played five mid-majors this year. But if he was in our position, he'd do the same thing we're doing. I didn't set the NET [NCAA Evaluation Tool] rankings. The NET rankings set themselves, but I'm going to go by it. The coaches who don't look at the NET rankings and get things figured out how to schedule are bozos.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers

“I knew how good of a team we had. But nobody would play us. Just like they wouldn't play Miami (Ohio). But they gotta play us in this tournament.”

— Flynn Clayman, Head Coach, High Point Panthers

“Playing those teams help you, but nobody wants to play five or six teams like that. They're gonna play two or three. I know Michigan played good people. I know Michigan State played good people.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers

The takeaway

Painter's comments highlight the delicate balance high-major programs must strike when building their non-conference schedules. While playing quality mid-major opponents can boost a team's NCAA Tournament seeding, no high-major wants to overload their schedule with too many tough non-conference games. This scheduling dilemma remains a complex issue in college basketball that coaches on both sides continue to grapple with.