We’ve said about all that can be said about the Belk Bowl, so let’s switch gears to Virginia Tech basketball today.  There are several topics I want to cover.  Let’s start with a look at where the Hokies are in the NET as compared to where they’d be if the RPI were still the primary system used by the Selection Committee.

The NET vs. the RPI

The day the RPI was taken out of the NCAA Tournament selection process and replaced with the NET was a day of celebration and rejoicing for the Virginia Tech fanbase.  The NET is much more beneficial for a school like Virginia Tech, who may not have the money to pay for the best non-conference schedules.  The best opponents for a team’s RPI are going to cost more to play, and the Hokies simply can’t outbid most programs for those games.

The RPI put a ton of stock into strength of schedule.  It was about who you played, not necessarily how you played.  Meanwhile, the NET takes into account the advanced metrics, such as offensive and defensive efficiency.  It does take into account some of the things included in the RPI, but non-conference strength of schedule seems to matter a lot less.

Want proof?  Here are Tech’s current NET and RPI rankings…

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