[Tony Kornheiser](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/03/24/LI2005032402662.html) has a good idea – make the [NIT](http://www.nit.org) the championship of the mid-majors.

It should invite 32 to 48 teams drawn exclusively from the lesser conferences, like the Patriot League and Colonial. Not only would also-ran teams from those conferences (like Hofstra in the CAA; Vermont in the America East) be eligible for an NIT bid, but their automatic NCAA qualifiers also would become eligible to drop into the NIT draw upon being eliminated from the NCAAs — if that elimination comes before the Sweet 16.

[Read](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/19/AR2006031900752.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns) (Washington Post)

Personally, I would love to see [JMU](http://www.jmusports.com/Team/default.asp?TeamID=18) or [ODU](http://odusports.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/oldd-m-baskbl-body.html) from the [Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)](http://www.caasports.com/) actually have a shot at a championship.