The first NET rankings for the 2022-23 college basketball season are out, and the Auburn Tigers are ranked No. 21
NCAA Assessment Tool Rankings (also known as NET Rankings) are made up of two components: Team Value Index and Team NET Effectiveness. According to the NCAA, the Team Value Index is “the results-oriented component of the NET, ranking more highly teams that have played and beaten other good teams, taking into account the opponent, the location of the match and the winner”. NET efficiency, on the other hand, is the difference in points scored and allowed per 100 possessions – adjusted for opponent strength and match location.
It is a strictly math-based system that is somewhat similar to those such as KenPom. No one despises Auburn in these rankings. It’s just what the numbers say about them.
The NET Ranking has a quadrant system, a tier system for all Division I teams that changes throughout the season as new games are played.
- If a team is ranked in the #1-30 home, 1-50 neutral site, and #1-75 road locations, then they are considered a Quad 1 opponent.
- Quad 2: 31–75 home, 51–100 neutral, 76–150 away
- Quad 3: 76–150 home, 101–200 neutral, 146–240 away
- Quad 4: 161 or worse at home, 201 or worse in neutral, 241 or worse away
Auburn starts outside the top 20 due to its poor early-season resume. Although they are undefeated, which would give the Tigers a boost in other poll-based rankings, that doesn’t really matter here – Auburn has yet to face a Quad 1 opponent, or a real game on the road.
The Tigers are 3-0 against Quad 2, 2-0 against Quad 3 and 3-0 against Quad 4.
Here’s a look at how the rest of Auburn’s non-conference schedule stacks up:
Vs. Memphis (Atlanta) – No. 38 in NET
Vs. Georgia State – No. 297 in NET
At USC – No. 146 in NET
In Washington – No. 109 in NET
In West Virginia – #11 in NET
Other SEC teams in the NET Top 50 include No. 4 Tennessee, No. 5 Mississippi State, No. 8 Alabama, No. 25 Arkansas, Missouri’s No. 34 and Kentucky’s No. 42.