When you wonder how the RPI works and why it is such a guide for seeding, consider these facts.
1- It was introduced in the late 70's at the request of the NCAA selection committee to use as a tool
2-RPI rewards wins away and punishes home losses. I had posted here earlier this year that a home win counts .6 and a road win 1.4, a home loss counts as 1.4 losses and a road loss .6 losses. Neutral floor games are not weighted. This began in the 2004-2005 season. Earlier this year i posted this and someone said it was Joe Lunardi's formula. It was someone who's opinion I respect and I had not investigated and I went along. While I still respect that poster (can't remember who, just that I assumed if they said it, I wasn't going to argue) what I posted then was accurate. Once this formula is applied, the RPI winning percentage is calculate and counts as 25% of the RPI.
3-Strength of schedule is 50% of the RPI. It is figured by taking the winning percentage of all D1 opponents
4- Finally it takes into account the winning percentage of the opponents opponents. Therefore, a win vs a Boston College means little while beating UNC or Miami means a lot. This is the final 25% of the formula.
7 of the 8 top seeds were in the top 7 of the RPI. The exception was Michigan ST. Ironically, my favorite ranking, Kenpom also had 7 of the top 8 seeds. The exception, Xavier was 15. Ky was 8. I say Kenpom has it right.
1- It was introduced in the late 70's at the request of the NCAA selection committee to use as a tool
2-RPI rewards wins away and punishes home losses. I had posted here earlier this year that a home win counts .6 and a road win 1.4, a home loss counts as 1.4 losses and a road loss .6 losses. Neutral floor games are not weighted. This began in the 2004-2005 season. Earlier this year i posted this and someone said it was Joe Lunardi's formula. It was someone who's opinion I respect and I had not investigated and I went along. While I still respect that poster (can't remember who, just that I assumed if they said it, I wasn't going to argue) what I posted then was accurate. Once this formula is applied, the RPI winning percentage is calculate and counts as 25% of the RPI.
3-Strength of schedule is 50% of the RPI. It is figured by taking the winning percentage of all D1 opponents
4- Finally it takes into account the winning percentage of the opponents opponents. Therefore, a win vs a Boston College means little while beating UNC or Miami means a lot. This is the final 25% of the formula.
7 of the 8 top seeds were in the top 7 of the RPI. The exception was Michigan ST. Ironically, my favorite ranking, Kenpom also had 7 of the top 8 seeds. The exception, Xavier was 15. Ky was 8. I say Kenpom has it right.
