NET is not the sole measure, far from it. Kentucky and Vandy both just beat LSU, thus explaining a big reason why they were higher
SC & UCLA have 1 loss, both to Tex. SC's loss was close (and beat them later). UCLA's was large. Hard to put UCLA ahead at this point.
Yep, you might be right. I can understand that thought process on LSU/Kentucky/Vandy. I would bet if Charlie was to offer an explanation, it probably would include what you wrote.
Not so much on the UCLA vs South Carolina for overall #2 seed. IMO the bump to South Carolina is the more eyebrow-raising of the two. I would argue the opposite - it's hard to put the Gamecocks ahead at this point. It's not just NET. It's all the other metrics the NCAA tracks that favor the Bruins, plus the season's resumes for both teams so far, plus the eyeball test for the games against Texas.
For starters, both of South Carolina's games against Texas were below their usual elevated standards. The first - a loss on a neutral court - was
the day after the Longhorns were worn down by the Bruins, while the Gamecocks won comfortably against a discombobulated Duke team (that UCLA blew out the next day). The second game (yesterday) was a very close, ugly win (44 turnovers combined) - and at home for the second game in a row contrasted against Texas playing a tough opponent on the road for consecutive games. Simply put, the eyeball test of the Gamecocks
in both games against Texas was not compelling for a #2 seed- and I think most long-time Gamecock fans would probably agree.
Next, looking at the resumes of UCLA and South Carolina, they also heavily favoring the Bruins. In addition to their loss to Texas in Las Vegas, UCLA has six wins against Top 25 teams with five of them either on a neutral court or at the opponent's site. Contrast that against the Gamecocks who have only three wins against Top 25 teams (two away from Columbia plus the sloppy home win last night).
Assessing how both teams played against other common opponents (Duke, USC and South Florida) doesn't tilt anything toward South Carolina either. UCLA won by 30, 34 and 33, while the Gamecocks won by 17, 17 and 59. Let's call that a wash.
Closest game for both other than Texas? South Carolina had a hard-fought back-and-forth two-point win at #22 Louisville; UCLA had a seven-point victory across the country at #19 Ohio State in which the Bruins never trailed. Let's call that a toss-up as well.
For me, at this point of the season UCLA is looking better than South Carolina - on paper and on the court. But hey, the AP voters and Coaches Poll voters collectively put South Carolina ahead of UCLA in the rankings this week, so clearly a lot more folks are looking at the two teams like Charlie than like I am.
All good. No worries from this UConn fan's perch....
