BYU Ranks Highest Among Local Teams In NCAA’s Initial “NET” Rankings

SALT LAKE CITY – The rankings that the NCAA Selection Committee uses to seed teams in the 68-team Men’s basketball tournament has been released. NCAA’s “NET” rankings are now out for the first time this season.

What are the NET Rankings?

Here's EVERYTHING you need to know. Be on the lookout for the first release 👀 pic.twitter.com/kdZwDEjFPS

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 26, 2018

Out of the six in-state Division I men’s basketball programs, BYU ranks the highest in the NET’s initial rankings sitting at number 42.

The NET ranking is an algorithm that compiles a team’s value based on game results through the opponents they face, where the games are played, and who ultimately wins the game.

NET rankings break up games into four different “quadrants.” Teams are looking to compile as many quadrant 1 games as possible on their resume and pull off some wins when going up against those great teams. Losing games to teams in the quadrant 3 or quadrant 4 could potentially impact a team’s chances at an NCAA Tournament birth in March.

BYU – NET Ranking: 42

Quadrant 1 wins: Utah State (47), Houston (68)

Quadrant 1 losses: Kansas (2), San Diego State (3), Utah (54)

Quadrant 3 & 4 losses: NONE

BYU BEATS UTAH STATE WITH LATE GAME HEROICS FROM BARCELLO.#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Zx1Ya5EpMp

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) December 15, 2019

The initial NET rankings have BYU as the highest-ranked local team in large part because of their tough schedule so far. According to NET, BYU has faced the eighth toughest schedule in college basketball to this point of the season.

To be in the at-large NCAA Tournament pool, you usually need to be around the Top 40 of the NET rankings, it’s a good start for BYU to find themselves at 42.

Utah State – NET Ranking: 47

Quadrant 1 wins: LSU (26)

Quadrant 1 losses: BYU (42), Saint Mary’s (64)

Quadrant 3 & 4 losses: NONE

Throw out the Windex because the Aggies have proven to be the best glass cleaners in America this year! #AggiesAlltheWayhttps://t.co/BEFFFE7YK5

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) December 15, 2019

The Aggies setback against BYU over the weekend was a tough one as it was a missed opportunity for a Quad 1 win. The upcoming game against Florida this Saturday will be an important one for the Aggies at-large NCAA resume.

Utah – NET Ranking: 54

Quadrant 1 wins: NONE

Quadrant 1 losses: NONE

Quadrant 3 & 4 losses: Tulane (127), Coastal Carolina (156)

Big game Wednesday night in Las Vegas against #6 ranked Kentucky! 👀

🎟 https://t.co/ls6iN0veyJ#GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/XpIoXT3gZA

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) December 16, 2019

None of Utah’s games has fallen in the quadrant 1 category just yet. But that’s about to change as the Utes take on Kentucky this Wednesday in Las Vegas followed by a meeting in Los Angeles with San Diego State.

Southern Utah – NET Ranking: 178

Best Win: at Nebraska (153) – Quad 3

Worst Loss: at LMU (171) – Quad 3

STAT | We have not lost a Non-Conference game at home since December 17, 2016 🏠 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/pP54x0RugM

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 15, 2019

Utah Valley – NET Ranking: 237

Best Win: at North Dakota State (196) – Quad 3

Worst Loss: at Denver (306) – Quad 4

Finals are over and the hype is REAL 🔥😈
–#UVU #GoUVU #UVUHOOPS pic.twitter.com/gQdYLvuhTo

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) December 13, 2019

Weber State – NET Ranking: 292

Best Win: at Utah Valley (237) – Quad 3

Worst Loss: San Diego (226) – Quad 4

TUESDAY NIGHT

Bring a new toy which will be donated to the local Toys For Tots, for a $5 ticket. Receive a men’s game ticket and enter for both games.

Santa Claus and Buddy The Elf will be in the arena!

Halftime: Just Jumpin Jump Team pic.twitter.com/XIemJAMvJ7

— WeberStateMBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) December 15, 2019