Going big: High-major programs using size to their advantage to maul mid-majors in March Madness

UConn has shooters and slashers, its offense an array of moving parts all in synch. The central cog is big man Tarris Reed Jr. The 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior has been punishing opposing teams at a record rate, giving the Huskies a huge inside advantage that they're more than happy to take advantage of as they climb through the NCAA Tournament bracket.

“This guy's a total monster and today he was a real grizzly bear,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after Reed opened the NCAA Tournament with 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. The NCAA Tournament is down to a Sweet 16 void of mid-majors for the second straight season. NIL and the transfer portal have played significant roles in the recent downturn in March Madness upsets.

Being a bully has also helped. One of the biggest advantages power-conference programs have over mid-majors is their heft, and they've been throwing it around a lot more. Power conferences have gone 27-4 against mid-majors in this year's bracket, outscoring them by an average of 7.

7 points in the paint. Florida had the largest margin inside, punishing Prairie View A&M by a whopping 64-10 in the paint for a 114-55 win — the second-largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history. Arkansas also scored 64 paint points in its opening 97-78 win over Hawaii .