College Basketball Rankings?

[vol_in_ga]

Can someone educate me on college basketball rankings? I find I don’t really understand how they are ranked the way they are. Like watching #6 Kansas losing by 20 against unranked Texas tech and their records differ by a game and a half. I see this pretty routinely in college basketball. Now granted I don’t know their SOS, or adjusted efficiency ratings (via kenpom?), which are the only metrics I’m really aware of, but just trying to figure out what factors most into a teams ranking as I can’t seem to understand college basketball, vs college football seems more straightforward (and with a smaller sample size to boot).

 

[hUTch2002]

Can someone educate me on college basketball rankings? I find I don’t really understand how they are ranked the way they are. Like watching #6 Kansas losing by 20 against unranked Texas tech and their records differ by a game and a half. I see this pretty routinely in college basketball. Now granted I don’t know their SOS, or adjusted efficiency ratings (via kenpom?), which are the only metrics I’m really aware of, but just trying to figure out what factors most into a teams ranking as I can’t seem to understand college basketball, vs college football seems more straightforward (and with a smaller sample size to boot).

They’re just a popularity contest.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Can someone educate me on college basketball rankings? I find I don’t really understand how they are ranked the way they are. Like watching #6 Kansas losing by 20 against unranked Texas tech and their records differ by a game and a half. I see this pretty routinely in college basketball. Now granted I don’t know their SOS, or adjusted efficiency ratings (via kenpom?), which are the only metrics I’m really aware of, but just trying to figure out what factors most into a teams ranking as I can’t seem to understand college basketball, vs college football seems more straightforward (and with a smaller sample size to boot).

You mention CFB, but that’s the same thing, you see plenty of teams with similar records or even a better record ranked lower than a comparable record team. SOS is the biggest factor, Kansas’ is much better than TTU. Also matters who you beat/lost to and where, it’s not just how many wins and losses overall.

 

[ColinS]

Can someone educate me on college basketball rankings? I find I don’t really understand how they are ranked the way they are. Like watching #6 Kansas losing by 20 against unranked Texas tech and their records differ by a game and a half. I see this pretty routinely in college basketball. Now granted I don’t know their SOS, or adjusted efficiency ratings (via kenpom?), which are the only metrics I’m really aware of, but just trying to figure out what factors most into a teams ranking as I can’t seem to understand college basketball, vs college football seems more straightforward (and with a smaller sample size to boot).

Strength of schedule and metrics such as offense and defensive efficiency. Bias figures in too. Some programs lile Kansas and Duke drop less after a loss because of the names on their jerseys.

 

[CAVPUT]

They’re just a popularity contest.

I think there's some degree of truth to this. There are matchups and teams that draw eyeballs and bring $$. They'll always be given more favorable consideration in rankings, seedings, etc. Subtle but I believe it's there.

 

[Just a VolinTears]

A lot of it has to do with resumes. Stacking up wins against bad competition isn't gonna get too much AP respect. Playing good teams, and even losing a couple, is what impresses the voters

 

[livefaith]

Kansas best is head to head on a neutral court.