NET Housekeeping: What Kentucky Should Wish for in Final Week of Regular Season
Is anyone else tired of the NET rankings yet?
I could sit here and write another profound lede about Kentucky's NCAA Tournament résumé and how the Wildcats have continued to turn things around as the season nears its end, but let's be real:
You're here for the numbers that classify teams into four different quadrants, how many wins Kentucky has against each one of those teams, how that plays into March Madness and more. I get it.
(I don't really get it.)
So, here's how things are looking in Lexington after UK's 86-54 demolition of Auburn, in NET terms:
Quadrant records for Kentucky (now 20th in NET)
- Quad 1: 5-7
- Quad 2: 6-0
- Quad 3: 3-1
- Quad 4: 6-1
Just a refresher, here's how the NET dictates what win lands where:
- Quadrant 1: Home 1-30, Neutral 1-50, Away 1-75.
- Quadrant 2: Home 31-75, Neutral 51-100, Away 76-135.
- Quadrant 3: Home 76-160, Neutral 101-200, Away 135-240.
- Quadrant 4: Home 161-353, Neutral 201-353, Away 241-353.
Here are those five Q1 victories for the Wildcats:
- vs. Tennessee, @ Tennessee (3rd)
- vs. Texas A&M (27th)
- @ Mississippi State (39th)
- @ Florida (64th)
Despite Tennessee's poor finish to the season, it remains in the top three of the NET. Why, you may ask? This reporter sincerely has no clue. But, Kentucky won't be complaining, because it only improves its stock, having both a road win in Knoxville over the Vols as well as a convincing win at home.
Here's some more tidbits and things Kentucky should wish to happen over the final week of the regular season, as it tries to spiffy up the old résumé as best it can:
-First off, UK's two remaining games will be a Q3 affair against Vanderbilt (87) in Lexington, then a Q1 road tilt at Arkansas (14) on Saturday. Vandy is likely not reaching the top 75 in the NET unless it wins inside Rupp Arena, so chances of Wednesday's game becoming Q2 and UK's win over the Commodores becoming a Q1 victory are slim.
-Kentucky needs Texas A&M to stay in the top 30, though it also wouldn't mind catching up to the Aggies for the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament. The former is honestly more important, though.
-A&M finishes the season at Ole Miss (130) on Tuesday night, then a big one in College Station against Alabama on Saturday. A win over the Tide would do the trick, but as long as the Ags don't stumble in Oxford and don't get blown out on the weekend, it should be fine.
-Outside of the SEC, Michigan (55) is the most important team to watch if you're Kentucky. The Wolverines have won three in a row and are surging at the right time. They finish the regular season at Illinois (34) and at Indiana (18). Kentucky would snag another Q1 win if Michigan can get into the top 50. Winning one of the two games and avoiding a blowout could do the trick.
-Auburn is still only 36th after taking one of the worst losses of the Bruce Pearl era inside Rupp Arena over the weekend. The good news for UK is that the Tigers have two phenomenal chances to pick up Q1 victories, at Alabama on Wednesday, then hosting Tennessee to finish up. If AU can rally the troops and finish strong, then the Cats could stumble upon another Q1 victory.
-Let's talk Yale (66) hoops. The Bulldogs are at Brown (178) as they eye the Ivy League title. All Kentucky needs is for Yale to stay in the top 75, so that its win stays in Q2. Not sure that a loss to Brown would lead to it falling nine or more spots, but you never know. That's enough Yale hoops talk.
-Keep an eye on Florida and Georgia (147) this week. The Gators will travel to Athens to take on the Bulldogs on Wednesday. A loss for UF could bump it out of the top 75, meaning UK's win last week would lose Q1 status. The Gators finish the season at home against LSU (155), so there should be no problems there.
-In regards to Georgia, Kentucky would love for Mike White's team to crack the top 135 in NET, so that Q3 blemish moves up a quadrant. After Florida in the midweek, UGA caps things off in Columbia against South Carolina (238), so it'll need help from around the nation if it wants to make that 12-spot jump.
-Really getting into the weeds now. If Ole Miss (130) drops below 135, then Kentucky's win in Oxford is relegated to Q3 status. This will mean nothing in the grand scheme of things, but just letting you know.
-Ditto with LSU (155), if it goes below 160, then Kentucky's win over the Tigers would be of the Q4 variety. Riveting stuff.
The logical best case scenario for UK? Michigan and Auburn become Q1 wins, bringing the Cats' record in the top quadrant to 7-7.
Selection Sunday is only 13 days away, folks. Buckle up.
More on the win over Auburn HERE.
More on Oscar Tshiebwe's improved defense HERE.
Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.
Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.
