The NCAA committee uses a selection criterion known as NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool), among other factors to rank, seed, and bracket top basketball teams. NET incorporates several factors such as net efficiency, opponent and results, Team Value Index, game location, capped scoring margin, and the percentage of winning.

Other Criteria

In addition to the NET approach, the NCAA committee uses the following factors in the selection process:

• Quality of wins and losses

• The complete box scores and the outcomes

• A season-long analysis of the teams

• Computer metrics

• Outcomes vs. common opponents

• Head-to-head results

• Players and coach availability

• Road record

• Imbalanced conference schedules vs. outcomes

• Non-conference schedule and its overall strength

Team Sheets

When evaluating the performance of the basketball teams in various divisions, the NCAA committee has to refer to the team sheets. The sheets provide a comprehensive overview of performance against the teams guided by the results and quadrants as well as the strength of the schedules. The data includes both the teams’ NET and their ranking in 5 different metrics: Sagarin, KenPom, KPI, BPI rankings, and ESPN strength of record. Moreover, the results and schedule of a team are divided into four quadrants that emphasize the games that have been played on neutral arenas as well as authentic road situations.

Seeding

A seed list helps to analyze the top teams’ competitive balance throughout the four regions of national championships. It also represents the consecutive order of how teams are bracketed. Out of the 68 conferences, 32 are picked as automatic qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. The eligible teams are chosen according to their performances in conference tournaments. The remaining 36 teams are categorized into the at-large berths. They are the best 36 teams that fill the at-large spots. It should be noted that the committee can choose as many or as few teams from one conference since there’s no limit.