Bracketology: Team comparisons using NCAA selection committee criteria

Selection Saturday is now less than one month away and nothing is settled in the college men’s volleyball bracketology.

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 and UC Irvine. 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


Hawai’i vs. Loyola
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Loyola No. 2. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 18-3; Loyola 18-2. 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 9-2; Loyola 10-1. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; Loyola 7-1. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 2-0; Loyola 5-0. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; Loyola 3-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

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Hawai’i vs. UC Irvine
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; UC Irvine No. 3. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 18-3; UC Irvine 22-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Head-to-head competition: UC Irvine leads 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 9-2; UC Irvine 11-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; UC Irvine 9-1. Edge: Push
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 17-1; UC Irvine 18-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; UC Irvine 5-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Hawai’i

Hawai’i vs. Lewis
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Lewis No. 1. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 18-3; Lewis 19-2. 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 9-2; Lewis 9-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; Lewis 10-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 3-2; Lewis 4-2. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; Lewis 5-1. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

Hawai’i vs. Pepperdine
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Pepperdine No. 8. Edge: Hawai’i
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 18-3; Pepperdine 21-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Head-to-head competition: Hawai’i leads season series 2-0. Edge: Hawai’i
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Push
Home record: Hawai’i 9-2; Pepperdine 12-0. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 14-3; Pepperdine 16-2. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; Pepperdine 1-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Hawai’i

Hawai’i vs. Ohio State
RPI ranking: Hawai’i No. 4; Ohio State No. 5. Edge: Hawai’i
Won-lost results: Hawai’i 18-3; Ohio State 19-6. Edge: Hawai’i
Head-to-head competition: Hawai’i won season series 1-0. Edge: Hawai’i
Non-conference record: Hawai’i 2-0; Ohio State 10-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Home record: Hawai’i 9-2; Ohio State 12-1. Edge: Ohio State
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; Ohio State 7-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 4-2; Ohio State 2-3. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; Ohio State 3-4. Edge: Hawai’i
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Hawai’i

Loyola vs. UC Irvine
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; UC Irvine No. 3. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 18-2; UC Irvine 22-4. 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 10-1; UC Irvine 11-3. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 7-1; UC Irvine 9-1. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 7-2; UC Irvine 7-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 3-2; UC Irvine 5-3. Edge: UC Irvine
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 18-2; Lewis 19-2. 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 10-1; Lewis 9-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Loyola 7-1; Lewis 10-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 18-0; Lewis 16-2. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 3-2; Lewis 5-1. 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. 8. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 18-2; Pepperdine 21-4. 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 10-1; Pepperdine 12-0. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Loyola 7-1; 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 3-2; Pepperdine 1-3. Edge: Loyola
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Loyola

Loyola vs. Ohio State
RPI ranking: Loyola No. 2; Ohio State No. 5. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 18-2; Ohio State 19-6. Edge: Loyola
Head-to-head competition: Loyola leads season series 1-0. Edge: Loyola
Non-conference record: Loyola 8-0; Ohio State 9-3. Edge: Loyola
Home record: Loyola 10-1; Ohio State 12-1. Edge: Ohio State
Road record: Loyola 7-1; Ohio State 7-4. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 12-2; Ohio State 12-3. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 3-2; Ohio State 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 22-4; Lewis 19-2. 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 11-3; Lewis 9-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: UC Irvine 9-1; Lewis 10-1. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 7-0; Lewis 5-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-3; Lewis 5-1. 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. 8. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 22-4; Pepperdine 21-4. 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 11-3; Pepperdine 12-0. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: UC Irvine 9-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 16-2; Pepperdine 15-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-3; Pepperdine 1-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine

UC Irvine vs. Ohio State
RPI ranking: UC Irvine No. 3; Ohio State No. 5. Edge: UC Irvine
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 22-4; Ohio State 19-6. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: UC Irvine won season series 1-0. Edge: UC Irvine
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 5-1; Ohio State 9-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 11-3; Ohio State 12-1. Edge: Ohio State
Road record: UC Irvine 9-1; Ohio State 7-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 8-2; Ohio State 6-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-3; Ohio State 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. 8. Edge: Lewis
Won-lost results: Lewis 19-2; Pepperdine 21-4. 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 9-0; Pepperdine 12-0. Edge: Push
Road record: Lewis 10-1; Pepperdine 8-4. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Lewis 4-0; Pepperdine 5-0. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Lewis 5-1; Pepperdine 1-3. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis

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

Pepperdine vs. Ohio State
RPI ranking: Pepperdine No. 8; Ohio State No. 5. Edge: Ohio State
Won-lost results: Pepperdine 21-4; Ohio State 19-6. Edge: Pepperdine
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Pepperdine 5-0; Ohio State 9-3. Edge: Pepperdine
Home record: Pepperdine 12-0; Ohio State 12-1. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Pepperdine 8-4; Ohio State 7-4. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: Pepperdine 5-3; Ohio State 3-2. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Pepperdine 1-3; Ohio State 3-4. Edge: Ohio State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine

POTENTIAL NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING BATTLES

Penn State vs. Pfeiffer
RPI ranking: Penn State No. 6; Pfeiffer No. 12. Edge: Penn State
Won-lost results: Penn State 13-9; Pfeiffer 16-2. 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 7-2; Pfeiffer 8-0. Edge: Pfeiffer
Road record: Penn State 5-6; Pfeiffer 8-2. Edge: Pfeiffer
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 3-1; Pfeiffer 3-1. Edge: Push
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 1-7; 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 18-3; Penn State 13-9. 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 9-2; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Road record: Hawai’i 9-1; Penn State 5-6. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. common opponents: Hawai’i 7-3; Penn State 4-2. Edge: Hawai’i
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Hawai’i 5-2; Penn State 1-7. 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. 1; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Loyola
Won-lost results: Loyola 18-2; Penn State 13-9. 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 10-1; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Loyola
Road record: Loyola 7-1; Penn State 5-6. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. common opponents: Loyola 8-2; Penn State 4-5. Edge: Loyola
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Loyola 3-2; Penn State 1-7. 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 22-4; Penn State 13-9. 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 11-3; Penn State 7-2. Edge: UC Irvine
Road record: UC Irvine 9-1; Penn State 5-6. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 11-3; Penn State 7-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-3; Penn State 1-7. 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 19-2; Penn State 13-9. 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 9-0; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Lewis 10-1; Penn State 5-6. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Lewis 9-1; Penn State 4-6. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Lewis 5-1; Penn State 1-7. 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. 8; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Penn State
Won-lost results: Pepperdine 21-4; Penn State 13-9. 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 12-0; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Pepperdine
Road record: Pepperdine 8-4; Penn State 5-6. Edge: Pepperdine
Record vs. common opponents: Pepperdine 9-4; Penn State 6-2. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Pepperdine 1-3; Penn State 1-7. Edge: Pepperdine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Pepperdine

Ohio State vs. Penn State
RPI ranking: Ohio State No. 5; Penn State No. 6. Edge: Ohio State
Won-lost results: Ohio State 19-6; Penn State 13-9. Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-head competition: Split season series at 1-1. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Ohio State 9-3; Penn State 6-9. Edge: Ohio State
Home record: Ohio State 12-1; Penn State 7-2. Edge: Ohio State
Road record: Ohio State 7-4; Penn State 5-6. Edge: Ohio State
Record vs. common opponents: Ohio State 8-4; Penn State 5-8. Edge: Ohio State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Ohio State 3-4; Penn State 1-7. Edge: Ohio State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Ohio State