How the NCAA quadrant system works and why it determines tournament fate
What Is the Quadrant System?
The NCAA Selection Committee uses a quadrant system to categorize every Division I basketball game based on two factors: the opponent's NET ranking and the game location (home, away, or neutral). This system creates four tiers of games, from the most difficult (Quad 1) to the easiest (Quad 4).
The quadrant system acknowledges a fundamental truth about college basketball: beating a top-25 team on the road is far more impressive than beating them at home. By adjusting the difficulty thresholds based on location, the system provides a more accurate picture of a team's body of work.
Quadrant Cutoffs
| 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 Location Changes the Quadrant
Home court advantage in college basketball is one of the strongest effects in all of sports. On average, home teams win about 60-65% of games. The quadrant system accounts for this by widening the NET ranking thresholds for road games.
Example: If your team plays NET #60 at home, that is a Quad 2 game (Home 31-75). But if you play that same team on the road, it becomes a Quad 1 game (Away 1-75). This is why road wins in conference play are incredibly valuable for building a tournament resume.
How Many Quad 1 Wins Do You Need?
There is no magic number, but historical data suggests:
- 8+ Quad 1 wins: Almost always a lock for the tournament
- 5-7 Quad 1 wins: Strong at-large candidate, especially with few bad losses
- 3-4 Quad 1 wins: On the bubble; other factors matter a lot
- 0-2 Quad 1 wins: Need to win conference tournament for automatic bid
The committee also looks at Quad 1+2 combined record. A team with a 12-8 Quad 1+2 record has a strong resume even if the Quad 1 wins are only 4-5.
The Danger of Bad Losses
Quad 3 and Quad 4 losses are the most damaging entries on a team's resume. A Quad 4 loss (losing at home to a team ranked 161+ in NET) signals inconsistency and can override multiple quality wins.
In recent tournament selections, teams with 2+ Quad 4 losses were almost never selected as at-large teams. Even a single Quad 3 loss can be costly for a bubble team trying to make the field.
How Quad Records Change During the Season
Because quadrant classification depends on an opponent's NET ranking, quad records are dynamic. A win against a team ranked NET #70 in December might be Quad 2 at the time, but if that team improves to NET #45 by March, the win retroactively becomes Quad 1.
This is why schedule strength can shift throughout the season. Teams that play strong opponents early may see their Quad 1 win totals increase as those opponents improve. Visit our Rankings page to see current quad records for all 362+ teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Quad 1 win in college basketball?
A Quad 1 win is a victory against a team ranked in the top 30 of the NET rankings at home, top 50 at a neutral site, or top 75 on the road. Quad 1 wins are the most valuable type of victory for an NCAA Tournament resume and are heavily discussed by the Selection Committee.
How many Quad 1 wins does a team need to make the NCAA Tournament?
There is no official minimum, but historical data suggests teams with 8+ Quad 1 wins are almost always locks for the tournament. Teams with 5-7 are strong at-large candidates. Teams with fewer than 3 Quad 1 wins typically need to win their conference tournament to qualify.
Can a game change quadrants during the season?
Yes. Because quadrant classification depends on the opponent's current NET ranking, quad records are dynamic throughout the season. A win against a team ranked NET #70 in December might be Quad 2 at the time, but if that team improves to NET #45 by March, the win retroactively becomes Quad 1.
Why are Quad 3 and Quad 4 losses so damaging?
Quad 3 and Quad 4 losses indicate a team lost to a weak opponent, often at home. The Selection Committee views these as signs of inconsistency. In recent tournaments, teams with 2 or more Quad 4 losses were almost never selected as at-large teams, even if they had several quality wins.