Kentucky in the Top 25 of the NET Rankings entering SEC play

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson12/28/21

MrsTylerKSR

At the midpoint of the 2021-22 college basketball season, Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament resume is starting to take shape. The Cats’ NET Ranking improved from No. 30 to No. 23 after the win over Western Kentucky. With SEC play starting tomorrow, Quad 1 is packed with opportunities; however, we’ve got a few more cupcakes to consume before getting to the meat of the schedule.

Before we tackle Kentucky’s team sheet, here’s the NET Top 25 through December 27:

  1. Baylor
  2. Arizona
  3. LSU
  4. Houston
  5. Gonzaga
  6. Purdue
  7. Kansas
  8. Tennessee
  9. Duke
  10. Auburn
  11. Michigan State
  12. Villanova
  13. Southern Cal
  14. Illinois
  15. Loyola Chicago
  16. UConn
  17. Iowa State
  18. Ohio State
  19. Xavier
  20. Texas
  21. UCLA
  22. Texas Tech
  23. Kentucky
  24. Alabama
  25. Seton Hall

NET changes for the 2021-22 season

This is the fourth season the NCAA has used the NET Rankings as its primary metric to evaluate the strength of teams’ wins and losses. This year, the formula has been tweaked. From now on, the NET will only use two components, adjusted net efficiency rating and Team Value Index (TVI), which is a result-based feature that rewards teams for beating quality opponents, particularly away from home. Win percentage, adjusted win percentage, and scoring margin are no longer used in the NET rankings.

Kentucky’s Team Sheet

Kentucky is 9-2 this season, with the losses falling in Quad 1 (No. 9 Duke) and Quad 2 (No. 109 Notre Dame). We’re all sick of the Fighting Irish, but the better they do, the less awful that loss in South Bend looks. Keeping it out of Quad 3 is good for the Cats, so root for Notre Dame to stay ranked above No. 135.

Kentucky’s lone Quad 1 win this season is against North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. Currently, the Tar Heels are No. 46 in the rankings. If they fall below No. 50, that win will move to Quad 2 since it took place at a neutral site. Even so, Kentucky has ten Quad 1 opportunities ahead thanks to a loaded SEC slate.

This week, the Cats have two Quad 4 games: vs. Missouri (No. 235) on Wednesday and High Point (No. 285) on Friday. The Tigers and the Panthers are the worst teams left on the schedule in the eyes of the NET. Let’s enjoy the cupcakes while we can.

Quad 1: 1-1

Home: 1-30, Neutral: 1-50, Away: 1-75

NET RankDateOpponentIn Conference?Result
301/04/2022@ LSUY
302/23/2022 LSUY
701/29/2022@ Kansas

802/15/2022@ TennesseeY
801/15/2022 TennesseeY
911/09/2021 Duke (@ New York, NY)
L 71-79
1001/22/2022@ AuburnY
1812/18/2021 Ohio St. (@ Las Vegas, NV)
Canceled
2402/05/2022@ AlabamaY
2402/19/2022 AlabamaY
4612/18/2021 North Carolina (@ Las Vegas, NV)
W 98-69
5303/05/2022@ FloridaY
6601/19/2022@ Texas A&MY

Quad 2: 0-1

Home: 31-75, Neutral: 51-100, Away: 76-135

NET RankDateOpponentIn Conference?Result
4101/25/2022 Mississippi St.Y
5302/12/2022 FloridaY
8401/11/2022@ VanderbiltY
9002/26/2022@ ArkansasY
10502/08/2022@ South CarolinaY
10912/11/2021@ Notre Dame
L 62-66

Quad 3: 2-0

Home: 76-160, Neutral: 101-200, Away: 136-240

NET RankDateOpponentIn Conference?Result
8402/02/2022 VanderbiltY
8711/19/2021 Ohio
W 77-59
8812/22/2021 Louisville
Ppd
13103/01/2022 Ole MissY
13612/22/2021 Western Ky.
W 95-60

Quad 4: 6-0

Home: 161-357, Neutral: 201-357, Away: 241-357

NET RankDateOpponentIn Conference?Result
20801/08/2022 GeorgiaY
23512/29/2021 MissouriY
23812/07/2021 Southern U.
W 76-64
28512/31/2021 High Point

30011/22/2021 Albany (NY)
W 86-61
30311/26/2021 North Florida
W 86-52
31411/16/2021 Mount St. Mary’s
W 80-55
32511/12/2021 Robert Morris
W 100-60
34211/29/2021 Central Michigan
W 85-57

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2024-03-28