A one-bid league struggles to survive past opening weekend.

Walter Offutt drives against North Carolina in the Bobcats’ overtime loss in the 2012 Sweet Sixteen.Ohio’s Walter Offutt powered down the left side of the hardwood, leapt into the air, and finished with his right hand at the rim, drawing contact in the process. Tie game, 63-63.

This moment stands as the most recent glorious moment for the Mid-American Conference in March Madness. On March 23, 2012, the 13-seed Ohio Bobcats forced overtime against North Carolina, No. 1 overall in the NCAA Tournament.

Offutt commanded the heavy underdogs with 26 points, but his potential game-winning free throw clanked off the back iron of the rim. Instead of a coveted Elite Eight appearance, the Bobcats fell…