One of the Most Exciting Underdog Stories in College Basketball History Is Transforming the NCAA

Welcome to the Mid-Major Revolution.

“…an underdog story so uplifting that readers will cheer—out loud, mind you—at the end. A must-read for college basketball fans.”
—Booklist Review

“If you want a real feel for mid-major basketball, read Michael Litos’s book.”
—Dick Vitale

Every year, millions of people fill out brackets and brace for one of the greatest sporting spectacles of the year: The NCAA college basketball conference and national tournament. It is known for its intense competitiveness and for being the greatest showcase for the underdog, the one team that everyone roots for, and that takes on the giants on a quest to make it to the big dance.

In 2006, the George Mason University Patriots were that team, and their run—as “Mid-Major”—was that story that captivated the nation. Author Michael Litos just happened to have inside access….

In a recent article, ESPN sportswriter Pat Forde asked the question, “Did Mason’s run start a full-fledged revolution?” Litos presents the inside story of the answer.

Cinderella: Inside the Rise of Mid-Major College Basketball is an inside look at a season among the NCAA’s mid-major programs, and the schools who fight for one shot to battle the NCAA’s star teams for the championship. The rise of mid-major programs has been one of the biggest stories of the past few years in the NCAA, but never more so than in 2006.

Michael Litos explores this phenomenon through his exclusive inside access to a season in the Colonial Athletic Association. Through personal interviews with coaches and players, he found the inspiring stories—pressure, dedicated coaches, struggling players, and unquenchable passion—and he also found the unexpected personal stories, including a player being shot, and another accused and found innocent of rape. And, of course, Litos brings you inside the locker room for George Mason’s unprecedented run to the Final Four.

College basketball is one of the fastest-growing topics in the sports category. In what was dubbed “the year of the mid-major,” this book delivers the ultimate story of what it means to be a mid-major contender, and how the sport of college basketball is being transformed. Welcome to the MID-MAJOR REVOLUTION.

Michael Litosspent the first eight years of his career as a magazine writer and editor for several sports and sports memorabilia titles with Landmark Communications. He has interviewed sports celebrities from Mickey Mantle to Alex Rodriguez to Brett Favre. He's been quoted on multiple occasions in USA Today and once received a personal letter of appreciation from Chris Berman of ESPN. He lives in Richmond, VA.