Are you a fan of college basketball? Then you’ve likely heard of the NET rankings - the system used by the NCAA to evaluate teams and determine who makes it into the postseason tournament. But have you ever wondered how these rankings are calculated and what impact they have on the tournament? Let’s take a closer look.
What are the NET Rankings?
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The NET rankings (short for NCAA Evaluation Tool) were introduced by the NCAA in 2018 as a way to replace the RPI (Rating Percentage Index) - the previous system used to rank teams. While the RPI relied largely on a team’s win-loss record and strength of schedule, the NET rankings take into account a wider range of factors that are thought to better reflect a team’s true abilities.
How are the NET Rankings calculated?
The NET rankings are calculated using a formula that takes into account the following factors:
- Team’s winning percentage (weighted at 1)
- Opponents’ winning percentage (weighted at 2)
- Opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage (weighted at 1)
- Adjusted net efficiency (weighted at 1)
The calculation also applies a cap on how much a team’s scoring margin can impact their ranking, in order to prevent teams from running up the score against weaker opponents in an effort to boost their ranking.
What is a Quad 1 win?
One of the most important factors in the NET rankings is a team’s record against “Quad 1” opponents. But what exactly does this mean?
In general, Quad 1 games are those in which a team plays a game against a fellow top-tier opponent, either at home (if the opponent is ranked in the top 30 of NET rankings) or on a neutral court (if the opponent is ranked in the top 50). Road games against teams ranked in the top 75 also count as Quad 1 games.
The importance of Quad 1 wins is that they tend to carry more weight in the eyes of the selection committee when it comes to deciding which teams make it into the postseason tournament. Teams that have a strong record against Quad 1 opponents are seen as more battle-tested and deserving of a tournament bid.
What other factors impact the NET Rankings?
In addition to a team’s record against Quad 1 opponents, the NET rankings also take into account a number of other factors that are thought to better reflect a team’s true abilities. These include:
- Strength of schedule (including both opponent quality and location of games)
- Non-conference scheduling (rewarding teams that play tough opponents outside of their conference)
- Game results (including margin of victory, which is capped at 10 points in the NET formula)
- Scoring efficiency (taking into account a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency)
While these factors are all weighed differently in the NET formula, they are all considered to be important in determining a team’s true ranking.
What impact do the NET Rankings have on the postseason tournament?
The NET rankings are used by the selection committee to help determine which teams make it into the postseason tournament, as well as where those teams are seeded. While the committee doesn’t strictly adhere to the rankings when making their decisions, they do carry a significant amount of weight in the process.
In general, teams that are ranked highly in the NET rankings are more likely to receive a favorable seeding in the tournament, which can in turn give them an easier path to the Final Four. Conversely, teams that are ranked lower in the NET rankings may be given a lower seed, which could force them to face tougher opponents earlier in the tournament.
Conclusion
The NET rankings have quickly become an important part of the college basketball landscape, and for good reason. By taking into account a wider range of factors than previous ranking systems, the NET rankings are thought to better reflect a team’s true abilities and provide a more accurate picture of the college basketball landscape. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, understanding how these rankings work can help you better appreciate the game and all of its intricacies.
