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Debuting in the 2018-19 campaign to replace the former RPI, the NET is a computerized scoring system used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee to determine the strength of tournament contenders.
It uses a complex formula to rank all 363 D1 men’s basketball programs based on team performance against opponents in each “quad.” Quads are nationally ranked quartiles, with the top programs belonging to Quad 1 and the lowest ranked programs corresponding to Quad 4.
It is also worth noting that NET does not include matches against non-DI opponents. Many MAC team records are influenced by this.
According to this system, Rob Senderoff’s Golden Flashes performed well and were ranked accordingly.
In the latest iteration of the NCAA NET rankings, released Dec. 12, Kent State’s Golden Flashes lead the MAC as the No. 33 ranked team in the nation.
That’s a slight slide from Kent State’s opening ranking of No. 24 nationally. The slump can be attributed to the Golden Flashes’ loss at the hands of Gonzaga.
Still, at No. 33, Kent State ranks sixth among all mid-major programs, ahead of Michigan State, North Carolina and other perennial powerhouses.
Kent State faced three Quad 1 games on its schedule. Although the team fell in each contest, he kept them close. Most notably, the Golden Flashes’ road trips against #1 Houston and #18 Gonzaga particularly affected its ranking as they fell short by seven points in both games.
Aside from the close Quad 1 loss, the 2022 MAC Player of the Year outspoken Carey and his teammates didn’t miss a game. The Golden Flashes picked up big wins against Northern Kentucky, Portland and South Dakota State.
A 7-3 Kent State unit has competed well in the early NET rankings, but the rest of the conference hasn’t received the same recognition.
More than 100 points lower than the competition, Akron is the second-highest ranked team in the MAC at 134. With a combined 4-4 record against Division I opponents through their first eight games, the 2022 MAC Tournament champions have yet to show consistency. It is expected of them.
Rounding out the MAC’s top three teams is Ohio with 138. Jeff Boals and his new-look Bobcats struggled in their opening games with a 1-3 record. However, Ohio has turned that around with three wins in its last four games against DI competition, moving its ranking up to No. 50.
The remaining nine MAC programs are currently as follows: Ball State (139), Toledo (160), Buffalo (211), Bowling Green (250), Central Michigan (285), Northern Illinois (307), Eastern Michigan (310), Miami (326) ), West Michigan (343).
Arguably the most disappointing early NET ranking of any MAC team is Eastern Michigan at 310. The Eagles are just 1-9 against DI competition so far, which is a far cry from what many expected under Emoni Bates.
The NCAA updates its NET rankings daily leading up to the highly anticipated selection week. The MAC’s performance in the NET as the season progresses is worth monitoring because it determines the conference’s ability to send more than one team to the NCAA Tournament.
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