Bracketology: Team comparisons using NCAA selection committee criteria

The conference tournament semifinals are all done, and the NCAA Tournament bracketology is beginning to become a little more into focus with Selection Saturday days away.

Off the Block has crunched the numbers using the same criteria as the selection committee to show how the top teams in the nation fare against each other in the race for the two at-large bids and NCAA Tournament seeding.


Below is an excerpt from the NCAA handbook on the primary criteria the three-person volleyball selection committee will use determines the at-large team and seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
– RPI ranking
– Won-lost results
– Head-to-head competition
– Results versus non-conference opponents
– Home and away results
– Results against common opponents
– Results against teams already qualified and other teams under consideration
– Eligibility and availability of student-athletes for NCAA championships.

The selection committee does not consider match results against NAIA teams or NCAA Division III teams. Only matches against NCAA Division I-II teams factors into the criteria.

Some selection committees in previous seasons have placed a greater emphasis on a certain categories. However, there is no requirement that the committee gives additional weight to a certain category.

The six-team NCAA Tournament will comprised of conference automatic bids from the MIVA, MPSF, EIVA and Conference Carolinas along with two at-large bids.

Here’s how the at-large bids and tournament seeding races look right now using the selection committee criteria and giving equal weight to each criteria category.

[Editor’s note: Teams projected to qualify or be under consideration are Hawai’i, Lewis, Loyola, Ohio State, Pepperdine, Penn State, Pfeiffer, UC Irvine and USC. The amount of teams under consideration will continue to change as it gets closer to Selection Saturday on May 2.]

POTENTIAL NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING AND AT-LARGE BID BATTLES

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Hawai’i vs. Pepperdine
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Pepperdine No. 7. Edge: Hawai’i
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 21-6; Pepperdine 24-5. Edge: Pepperdine
Head-to-head competition: Hawai’i won season series 2-1. Edge: Hawai’i
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Push
Home record: Hawai’i 12-2; Pepperdine 14-1. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Hawai’i 9-3; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 17-5; Pepperdine 18-3. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 6-4; Pepperdine 3-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Hawai’i


Hawai’i vs. Loyola
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Loyola No. 2. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 21-6; Loyola 24-2. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Loyola 8-0. Edge: Push
Home record: Hawai’i 12-2; Loyola 14-1. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Hawai’i 9-3; Loyola 9-1. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 4-2; Loyola 7-0. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 6-4; Loyola 5-2. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

Hawai’i vs. UC Irvine
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; UC Irvine No. 3. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 21-6; UC Irvine 27-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: UC Irvine won season series 2-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; UC Irvine 5-1. Edge: Hawai’i
Home record: Hawai’i 12-2; UC Irvine 14-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Road record: Hawai’i 9-3; UC Irvine 11-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 20-4; UC Irvine 23-2. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 6-4; UC Irvine 7-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine

Hawai’i vs. Lewis
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Lewis No. 1. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 21-6; Lewis 25-2. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Lewis 8-1. Edge: Hawai’i
Home record: Hawai’i 12-2; Lewis 13-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Hawai’i 9-3; Lewis 12-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 5-4; Lewis 5-2. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 6-4; Lewis 6-1. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

Loyola vs. UC Irvine
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; UC Irvine No. 3. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 24-2; UC Irvine 27-4. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Loyola 8-0; UC Irvine 5-1. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 14-1; UC Irvine 14-3. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 9-1; UC Irvine 11-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 8-2; UC Irvine 7-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 5-2; UC Irvine 7-4. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

Loyola vs. Lewis
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; Lewis No. 1. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Loyola 24-2; Lewis 25-2. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Lewis leads season series 2-0. Edge: Lewis
Non-conference record: Loyola 8-0; Lewis 8-1. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 14-1; Lewis 13-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Loyola 10-1; Lewis 12-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 24-0; Lewis 22-2. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 5-2; Lewis 6-1. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

Loyola vs. Pepperdine
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; Pepperdine No. 7. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 24-2; Pepperdine 24-5. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Loyola 8-0; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Push
Home record: Loyola 14-1; Pepperdine 14-1. Edge: Push
Road record: Loyola 9-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 3-0; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 5-2; Pepperdine 3-4. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

UC Irvine vs. Lewis
RPI ranking: UC Irvine No. 3; Lewis No. 1. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 27-4; Lewis 25-2. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Lewis won season series 1-0. Edge: Lewis
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 5-1; Lewis 8-1. Edge: Lewis
Home record: UC Irvine 14-3; Lewis 13-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: UC Irvine 12-1; Lewis 12-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 7-0; Lewis 5-2. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 7-4; Lewis 6-1. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

UC Irvine vs. Pepperdine
RPI ranking: UC Irvine No. 3; Pepperdine No. 7. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 27-4; Pepperdine 24-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: Season series tied 1-1. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 5-1; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Pepperdine
Home record: UC Irvine 14-3; Pepperdine 14-1. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: UC Irvine 11-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 22-2; Pepperdine 20-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 7-4; Pepperdine 3-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine

Lewis vs. Pepperdine
RPI ranking: Lewis No. 1; Pepperdine No. 7. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Lewis 25-2; Pepperdine 24-5. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Lewis 8-1; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Pepperdine
Home record: Lewis 13-0; Pepperdine 14-1. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Lewis 12-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Lewis 3-1; Pepperdine 6-1. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Lewis 6-1; Pepperdine 3-4. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

POTENTIAL NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING BATTLES

Penn State vs. Pfeiffer
RPI ranking: Penn State No. 6; Pfeiffer No. 10. Edge: Penn State
Won-lost results: Penn State 19-9; Pfeiffer 21-2. Edge: Pfeiffer
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Penn State 6-9; Pfeiffer 1-1. Edge: Pfeiffer
Home record: Penn State 10-2; Pfeiffer 13-0. Edge: Pfeiffer
Road record: Penn State 8-7; Pfeiffer 8-2. Edge: Pfeiffer
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 3-1; Pfeiffer 5-1. Edge: Pfeiffer
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 2-7; Pfeiffer 0-1. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pfeiffer

Hawai’i vs. Penn State
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Hawai’i
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 21-6; Penn State 19-9. Edge: Hawai’i
Head-to-head competition: Hawai’i won season series 1-0. Edge: Hawai’i
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Penn State 6-9. Edge: Hawai’i
Home record: Hawai’i 12-2; Penn State 10-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Road record: Hawai’i 9-3; Penn State 8-7. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 8-3; Penn State 4-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 6-4; Penn State 2-7. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Hawai’i

Loyola vs. Penn State (seeding-match up)
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 23-2; Penn State 19-9. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Loyola won season series 2-0. Edge: Loyola
Non-conference record: Loyola 8-0; Penn State 6-9. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 14-1; Penn State 10-2. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 9-1; Penn State 8-7. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 10-2; Penn State 7-5. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 5-2; Penn State 2-7. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

UC Irvine vs. Penn State
RPI ranking: UC Irvine No. 3; Penn State No. 6. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 27-4; Penn State 19-9. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: UC Irvine won season series 1-0. Edge: UC Irvine
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 5-1; Penn State 6-9. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 14-3; Penn State 10-2. Edge: Penn State
Road record: UC Irvine 11-1; Penn State 8-7. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 12-3; Penn State 9-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 7-4; Penn State 2-7. Edge: UC Irvine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine

Lewis vs. Penn State
RPI ranking: Lewis No. 1; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Lewis 24-2; Penn State 19-9. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Lewis won season series 2-0. Edge: Lewis
Non-conference record: Lewis 8-1; Penn State 6-9. Edge: Lewis
Home record: Lewis 13-0; Penn State 10-2. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Lewis 12-1; Penn State 8-7. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Lewis 10-1; Penn State 7-6. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Lewis 6-1; Penn State 2-7. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

Pepperdine vs. Penn State
RPI ranking: Pepperdine No. 7; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Penn State
Won-lost results: Pepperdine 24-5; Penn State 19-9. Edge: Pepperdine
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Pepperdine 5-0; Penn State 6-9. Edge: Pepperdine
Home record: Pepperdine 14-1; Penn State 10-2. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Pepperdine 8-4; Penn State 8-7. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: Pepperdine 10-4; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Pepperdine 2-4; Penn State 2-7. Edge: Pepperdine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine