The Big 12 Isn’t Gaming Its NET, Despite ACC Propaganda
Let’s play a game. After all, there are some coaches in the ACC who believe the Big 12 is playing a game with its NET ratings.
Last week, two ACC coaches took the Big 12 to task about their NET rating. Namely, their belief that some Big 12 teams are gaming the system by scheduling weak teams in non-conference to boost their NET rating, or at least protect it, once they get into rigorous play in the Big 12.
Clemson’s Brad Brownell went first. He said the following during a radio interview:
“And there’s a strength of schedule dynamic where the Big 12 has managed it with their scheduling,” he said. “Their nonconference scheduling, they’re playing 300-level teams and winning by 40 and 50 points to increase their offensive and defensive efficiency numbers, which is a big part of the NET tool. So that’s why you see teams trying to win at the end of games by 30 or 40 points instead of putting in your walk-ons.”
Then Pitt’s Jeff Capel entered the chat. He said largely the same thing.
The Big 12 is not gaming the system. It is building its schedule the same way practically every high-major basketball team builds it.
Most teams will play a dozen non-conference games. Everyone does it the same way, including the ACC.
First, teams will schedule anywhere from two to four other high-major teams that they know will be a challenge for them. Basically 50/50 games. Each knows they could win or lose.
Second, each schedules a multi-team event (or MTE), which is either two or three games at a tournament or classic. Sometimes, you’ll catch a high-major team there, especially if you make the finals.
Third, the rest of the schedule is filled with home games that feature mid- and low-major teams that are usually games they know they’ll win and are designed to generate revenue and send your fans home happy.
EVERYONE does it this way. Proof? Let’s check Clemson’s schedule.
Clemson went 11-1 in non-conference. The Tigers played four high-major teams and went 4-0. Good for them. Their one loss was to Memphis away from home. The Tigers’ other seven games were against mid-and low-major opponents and all were either at home or at an MTE.
Clemson’s NET as of Sunday? Well, it’s No. 25.
Let’s check Pitt. The Panthers went on the high end with five high-major games (two at a neutral site MTE). The other seven were home games against mid- and low-major teams. The Panthers won all of them. Pitt lost three non-conference games and currently has a NET of 44.
Look at each of those schedules, and you’ll see plenty of home blowouts against those low-end teams. These two schools aren’t paragons of scheduling virtue.
Go through each Big 12 team’s schedule, and you’ll find practically the same type of scheduling. Every high-major conference does this. No one schedules 12 high-major teams in non-conference. That would be insane. As much grief as we give SEC football about its scheduling, there is a method to it. Twelve games against power conference teams would kill even teams like Georgia and Alabama.
How is a conference gaming the system if everyone is using the same system? Especially in an era when there is far less program consistency from year to year, and you don’t know which teams outside the Top 50 will be good every year?
The reality is this feels like sour grapes on the ACC’s part, especially when you consider its coming from two coaches whose teams look like locks to get into the NCAA Tournament, based on their NET rankings.
If you look at Bracketology at ESPN, you’ll see why. The Big 12 leads all conferences with nine teams in the NCAA Tournament. The ACC only has five.
If there is a blue-blood conference in college basketball, it’s the ACC. That conference has a rich history, and it’s hard to deny.
But when you see your league getting squeezed out by the Big 12, a league that is the best in college basketball by every metric, well, you get a little cranky.
It reminds me of the Big EAST in the 1980s. It was a new conference then, and it rose fast. With its success and physical play, it threatened the ACC.
Hmmm… that seems familiar, doesn’t it?
If you’re Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, you don’t mind the conversation because that means that everyone is watching and everyone is talking.
But don’t get it twisted. The Big 12 is scheduling the same way everyone else is. The problem for the ACC is that the conference is just, well, better.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
