IU Basketball Eyes Strong NCAA Tournament Bid Ahead of Selection Sunday
As Selection Sunday approaches in less than five weeks, the Indiana Hoosiers are closely monitored for their NCAA Tournament aspirations. Currently, they hold a solid position in the tournament field despite a mixed performance of one win and one loss last week in the Big Ten. To strengthen their bid, securing additional victories, especially tonight against Oregon, is crucial.
Understanding NCAA Tournament Selection and NET Rankings
The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings serve as the key instrument for evaluating Division I men’s basketball teams. Established eight years ago, NET replaced the Rating Percentage Index (RPI) before the 2018-19 season. NET comprises two main evaluation methods:
- Team Value Index (TVI): This measures a team’s performance based on victories against quality opponents, particularly in away games.
- Adjusted Net Efficiency: A metric that assesses a team’s efficiency while accounting for opponent strength and game location.
Quadrant Win System
Wins and losses are categorized through a quadrant system based on location and the opponent’s NET ranking:
| Quadrant | Home | Neutral | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-30 | 1-50 | 1-75 |
| 2 | 31-75 | 51-100 | 76-135 |
| 3 | 76-160 | 101-200 | 135-240 |
| 4 | 161-353 | 201-353 | 241-353 |
The performance in Quadrant 1 becomes pivotal for NCAA tournament selection, particularly the number of Quadrant 1 wins and losses. As of February 9, Indiana’s record stands as follows:
- Quadrant 1: 2 wins, 7 losses
- Quadrant 2: 2 wins, 1 loss
- Quadrant 3: 5 wins, 0 losses
- Quadrant 4: 7 wins, 0 losses
Current Ranking and Projections
Indiana’s recent activities include a Quadrant 2 win against Wisconsin and a Quadrant 1 loss at USC. Despite opening the season ranked 11th in the NET, they are currently placed at 33rd. For context, last year’s 33rd ranked team, Georgia, ended up as a No. 9 seed.
According to Bracket Matrix, Indiana is featured in 106 of 110 projections, with an average seed of slightly above 10. The NET rankings are not the sole determinants in NCAA selections; a total of seven measurement tools are utilized for assessments.
Indiana’s Position in Various Metrics
- NET: 33 (-3 change)
- Torvik: 25 (-2, with a 92.7% chance of tournament qualification)
- Wins Above Bubble (WAB): 40 (-6)
- KenPom: 35 (-2)
- Basketball Power Index (BPI): 28 (-3)
- KPI: 47 (+2)
- Strength of Record: 41 (-4)
Remaining Schedule and Key Opportunities
Indiana still has the chance to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume. They have multiple significant games remaining:
- vs. Oregon (Quadrant 3)
- at Illinois (Quadrant 1)
- at Purdue (Quadrant 1)
- vs. Northwestern (Quadrant 3)
- vs. Michigan State (Quadrant 1)
- vs. Minnesota (Quadrant 3)
- at Ohio State (Quadrant 1)
Continuing to improve their record in these matches will be essential for Indiana as they eye a strong bid for the NCAA Tournament. For ongoing coverage of Indiana basketball, follow El-Balad.
