The complete guide to understanding the NCAA Evaluation Tool and how it shapes March Madness
What Are NET Rankings?
The NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) is the official ranking system used by the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee to evaluate and seed teams for the NCAA Tournament. Introduced in 2018 to replace the aging RPI system, the NET uses a combination of game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin (capped at 10 points), and net offensive/defensive efficiency to produce a comprehensive ranking of all 362+ Division I teams.
Unlike simple win-loss rankings, the NET rewards teams for winning quality games against strong opponents, particularly on the road or at neutral sites. A road win against a top-25 NET team carries significantly more weight than a home win against a bottom-tier opponent.
How Are NET Rankings Calculated?
The NET algorithm evaluates five key components:
1. Team Value Index (TVI): Measures the value of each game result based on opponent quality, game location, and scoring margin.
2. Net Efficiency: The difference between a team's offensive and defensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions), adjusted for opponent strength.
3. Winning Percentage: Simple win-loss record, with adjustments for schedule strength.
4. Adjusted Winning Percentage: Weighted by opponent quality and game location.
5. Scoring Margin: Capped at 10 points per game to prevent blowout incentives.
These components are combined using a proprietary formula developed by the NCAA in partnership with Google Cloud.
Quadrant Definitions
| Quadrant | Home | Neutral | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad 1 | NET 1-30 | NET 1-50 | NET 1-75 |
| Quad 2 | NET 31-75 | NET 51-100 | NET 76-135 |
| Quad 3 | NET 76-160 | NET 101-200 | NET 136-240 |
| Quad 4 | NET 161+ | NET 201+ | NET 241+ |
Why Quad 1 Wins Matter
Quad 1 wins are the gold standard for tournament resumes. Teams with 8+ Quad 1 wins are almost always safely in the tournament field, regardless of other factors. Here's why:
- The Selection Committee explicitly discusses Quad 1 records during their deliberations
- Quad 1 wins demonstrate a team can compete against elite competition
- They separate true contenders from teams that padded their record against weak schedules
Conversely, Quad 3 and Quad 4 losses are resume killers. Even one or two bad losses can drop a team off the bubble entirely, especially if they don't have enough Quad 1 wins to offset them.
NET Rankings vs RPI
The NET replaced the RPI (Rating Percentage Index) starting with the 2018-19 season. Key differences:
- Scoring margin: The NET includes scoring margin (capped at 10 points); the RPI did not
- Efficiency metrics: The NET uses per-possession efficiency data; the RPI used only win-loss records
- Schedule manipulation: The RPI could be gamed by scheduling specific opponents; the NET is more resistant
- Predictive power: The NET is significantly better at predicting tournament performance than the RPI was
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are NET rankings updated?
NET rankings are updated daily during the college basketball season, typically in the early morning hours. The first NET rankings of the season are usually released in late November after teams have played enough games for meaningful evaluation.
What replaced RPI in college basketball?
The NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) replaced the RPI starting with the 2018-19 season. The NET is considered a significant improvement because it accounts for scoring margin, adjusts for game location, and uses efficiency metrics.
Do NET rankings determine NCAA Tournament seeding?
NET rankings are one of several factors the Selection Committee uses. They also consider quad records, head-to-head results, road record, recent performance, and the eye test. However, NET ranking and quad records are the most quantifiable and heavily discussed metrics.
Can a team with a low NET ranking still make the tournament?
Yes, through automatic qualification by winning their conference tournament. At-large bids, however, heavily favor teams in the top 60-70 of the NET rankings with strong quad records.