Where the NET rankings place South Carolina women's basketball
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley helped guide her team to a much-needed 2-0 record last week. Previously, the Gamecocks had lost two of three, including back-to-back Sunday afternoon contests on the road against the Texas Longhorns and at home to the UConn Huskies. However, with lopsided wins over Arkansas and Vanderbilt, USC is bouncing back into form.
When the AP poll updated on Monday, South Carolina slotted in at No. 6, the same spot they occupied last week. For much of this season, that number has been lower for the Gamecocks than their spot in the NET.
Win tickets to Senior Day, South Carolina-Kentucky women’s basketball game
NET metrics have been high on the Gamecocks all year. Dawn Staley’s team has occupied the top spot in the NET most of the season but fell to No. 2 after losing to Texas and UConn. As of Monday night’s update, South Carolina is holding tight at No. 2. One of eight teams from power conferences with three or fewer losses, Carolina is one of just three who haven’t lost to a team outside of the NET top 5. While no loss is “good,” losses to Texas, UConn, and UCLA (two on the road) won’t damage a resume.
The NET, for those unfamiliar, is the most important ranking metric used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. It factors in Team Value Index (essentially a team’s on-court results, location of games, and strength of schedule) and adjusted net efficient ratings (how well a team plays in those games, adjusted for the quality of opponent and location of games).
As of this writing, South Carolina is second nationally in Quad 1 wins with two more opportunities this week. The Gamecocks also rank tied for first in combined Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories.
Top 10
- 1
Kirby Smart
Jab at Johnny Manziel
- 2
Paul Finebaum
Warns of SEC letdown in March Madness
- 3Hot
AP Poll Top 25
Massive shakeup
- 4
New No. 1
Women's AP Poll Top 25
- 5Trending
College Baseball Top 25
Upsets rock rankings
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Keep up with all things Gamecocks for just $1 per week—lock in this special offer today!
Dawn Staley is vying for a fourth consecutive SEC regular season title. Another conference triumphs also would mean the Gamecocks have won five of six titles and nine since the 2013-2014 campaign. To remain tied with Texas at the top of the SEC standings, though, South Carolina likely must go 2-0 again this week.
First, USC must travel to Oxford for a Thursday night matchup against the NET top-13 Ole Miss Rebels. South Carolina and Ole Miss will tip off at 9:00 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the showdown, while the ESPN app will stream.
Then, on South Carolina’s Senior Day, the Gamecocks will host the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday. Another ESPN broadcast, South Carolina and Kentucky will start at 2:00 p.m. The ESPN app also will stream the game.
