March Madness is upon us, and the Nebraska Huskers are gearing up for their biggest test yet. With a 26-6 record, the Huskers are all but guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but the real question remains: what seed will they get? The answer could significantly impact their tournament path and potential first-weekend site. Let's dive into the metrics and bracketology to uncover the possibilities.
The Importance of NET, KPI, SOR, WAB, BPI, and KenPom
One of the most critical elements in determining the Huskers' seed is the NCAA Net Evaluation Tool (NET). This system provides a sharper, more accurate picture of a college basketball team's strength. Nebraska currently ranks 13th in the NET, which is impressive, but it's the performance in different quadrants that matters most. The Huskers went 9-6 in Quad 1, 6-0 in Quad 2, 5-0 in Quad 3, and 6-0 in Quad 4, which is a testament to their consistency across various levels of competition.
KPI, or Key Performance Indicators, ranks teams' resumes on a game-by-game basis. Nebraska currently sits 20th in KPI, which is a solid position but not as high as some of the other metrics. SOR, or Strength of Record, measures team accomplishment based on how difficult a team's W-L record is to achieve. Nebraska is 8th in SOR, which is a strong showing, but it's the WAB, or Wins Above Bubble, that provides the most insight into the Huskers' potential.
WAB shows how many more or fewer wins a team has compared to what a bubble team would average with that same schedule. Nebraska is 11th in WAB, which is a strong indicator of their overall strength. BPI, or the College Basketball Power Index, is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. Nebraska is 17th in BPI, which is a solid position but not as high as some of the other metrics.
KenPom, created by Ken Pomeroy, helps break down teams on a possession-by-possession basis, analyzing the offensive and defensive performance per 100 possessions. Nebraska is 14th in KenPom, which is a strong showing, but it's the T-Rank, or Torvik, that provides the most insight into the Huskers' potential.
The Latest Bracketology
While not all brackets on Bracket Matrix have been updated with Friday's results, the vast majority have Nebraska as a 3 seed. This is a strong position, but it's not without its challenges. The Huskers are concerned about ordering with Illinois, Iowa State, Purdue, Alabama, Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Texas Tech for a closer-to-home first weekend site in Oklahoma City.
The Verdict
As of Saturday morning, the seed and order indicate Nebraska to be playing in Oklahoma City on Thursday. We'll find out for sure on Sunday at 5 p.m. CDT on CBS during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. The Huskers have a strong case for a 3 seed, but they'll need to stay ahead of at least one of Illinois or Purdue to secure their top location.
In my opinion, the Huskers have the talent and consistency to compete for a top seed, but they'll need to stay focused and play their best basketball. The tournament is a long and grueling process, and the Huskers will need to be ready for any challenge that comes their way. Personally, I think they have what it takes to make a deep run, but it all starts with securing that 3 seed and a closer-to-home site.
What do you think? Are the Huskers ready for March Madness? Send your thoughts to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.
