NCAA Regionals

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I have a couple of questions regarding how the Regionals are bracketed out by the NCAA. I understand the seedings and the hosting of regionals. I am simply curious as to how the rest of the 48 teams are assigned. I did a quick exercise and looked up the RPI's of all 64 teams. Then assigned that RPI to each team in each of the 16 different regionals to come up with a "Total RPI" rating. Obviously the lower the total RPI, THEORETICALLY the tougher the bracket. Hands down toghest bracket using my VERY SIMPLE formula is the Oklahoma bracket with a total RPI of 75. Second is the Fla St. bracket with 130, followed by the Alabama bracket with 140. Clearly we're not showing the "Total Regional RPI" love to the last two National Champions. :) The "easiest" brackets in terms of total RPI are the Oregon bracket at 354, followed by the La-Lafayette bracket with 315, then Washington at 302, Florida at 283, UCLA at 240, and Arizona and Tennessee at 237.
I am drawing ZERO conclusions from the Bobbleheadbill RPI Regional Bracket formula. I actually think it was a pretty useless exercise. However, I am truly curious as to how these Regional assignments take place. Geography appears to play a role is SOME, but not all cases. And I am aware that the NCAA is motivated to keep travel costs down, if indeed my information is accurate that the NCAA picks up the travel expenses for the tournament. And I don't know if it is. :) And I don't think the bracketing is based on rewarding the higher ranked teams. Now, bear in mind that the RPI and coaches and USA today poll ratings do not coincide, although they aren't too far off one another.
A. Does anyone know the full formula that makes up RPI. I know that overall record and schedule strength are probably the two biggest drivers. What other factors?
B. What are the primary factors that go into determining the Regional bracketing?
 
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Dude you got too much time on your hands. Call your lunch buddy and meet at Graffittis to sort it out
 
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I have a couple of questions regarding how the Regionals are bracketed out by the NCAA. I understand the seedings and the hosting of regionals. I am simply curious as to how the rest of the 48 teams are assigned. I did a quick exercise and looked up the RPI's of all 64 teams. Then assigned that RPI to each team in each of the 16 different regionals to come up with a "Total RPI" rating. Obviously the lower the total RPI, THEORETICALLY the tougher the bracket. Hands down toghest bracket using my VERY SIMPLE formula is the Oklahoma bracket with a total RPI of 75. Second is the Fla St. bracket with 130, followed by the Alabama bracket with 140. Clearly we're not showing the "Total Regional RPI" love to the last two National Champions. :) The "easiest" brackets in terms of total RPI are the Oregon bracket at 354, followed by the La-Lafayette bracket with 315, then Washington at 302, Florida at 283, UCLA at 240, and Arizona and Tennessee at 237.
I am drawing ZERO conclusions from the Bobbleheadbill RPI Regional Bracket formula. I actually think it was a pretty useless exercise. However, I am truly curious as to how these Regional assignments take place. Geography appears to play a role is SOME, but not all cases. And I am aware that the NCAA is motivated to keep travel costs down, if indeed my information is accurate that the NCAA picks up the travel expenses for the tournament. And I don't know if it is. :) And I don't think the bracketing is based on rewarding the higher ranked teams. Now, bear in mind that the RPI and coaches and USA today poll ratings do not coincide, although they aren't too far off one another.
A. Does anyone know the full formula that makes up RPI. I know that overall record and schedule strength are probably the two biggest drivers. What other factors?
B. What are the primary factors that go into determining the Regional bracketing?

Its all done with VooDoo and chicken bones at the NCAA headquarters. Its almost seems like the powers to be want the outcome to be the top 16 teams seeded, to get into the super regionals. Thus justifying the seeding. Plus it brings more $$ into the game at the Super Regionals since there would be no change of venue except for the lower seeded teams.

Or I could be just guessing ;-)

All kidding aside, check out this NCAA link. Regionals are awarded to the top 16 teams. Bracketing is done so no other team in the conference should have to play each other...

NCAA_Pairings
 
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Its all done with VooDoo and chicken bones at the NCAA headquarters. Its almost seems like the powers to be want the outcome to be the top 16 teams seeded, to get into the super regionals. Thus justifying the seeding. Plus it brings more $$ into the game at the Super Regionals since there would be no change of venue except for the lower seeded teams.

Or I could be just guessing ;-)

All kidding aside, check out this NCAA link. Regionals are awarded to the top 16 teams. Bracketing is done so no other team in the conference should have to play each other...

NCAA_Pairings
I guess I fell asleep during geography class. NCAA says geographic proximity is taken into consideration. Wisconsin in Oregon, Michigan in Az, Northwestern in Seattle, Notre Dame in Cali, Louisville in Az. I subscribe to the voodoo and chicken bones. :) And $$$$!
 
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And Lionboy, you need a new moniker. Maybe Ramhead Fastpitch? Hahaha! And new lunch venue is Mark Pi's. Can't beat the won ton.
 
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I guess I fell asleep during geography class. NCAA says geographic proximity is taken into consideration. Wisconsin in Oregon, Michigan in Az, Northwestern in Seattle, Notre Dame in Cali, Louisville in Az. I subscribe to the voodoo and chicken bones. :) And $$$$!
Travel is inevitable with all 5 PAC teams hosting and very few local teams to fill their brackets.

The base formula for NCAA's RPI is 25% of the team's winning percentage (WP) + 50% of their opponents' WP + 25% of their opponents' opponents' WP. Each sport makes some modifications and adjustments to it. I've read softball does some bonus points for beating high RPI teams and penalty points for losing to low RPI teams.

The opponents' WP is a flawed attempt to incorporate strength of schedule. It fails to deliver though because a small D1 racking up a good
record against other small teams is not stronger than a major D1 with a lesser record against better opponents. The SEC has apparently mastered boosting their members' RPI with their non-conference scheduling.
 
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I guess I fell asleep during geography class. NCAA says geographic proximity is taken into consideration. Wisconsin in Oregon, Michigan in Az, Northwestern in Seattle, Notre Dame in Cali, Louisville in Az. I subscribe to the voodoo and chicken bones. :) And $$$$!
They put louisville in az for losing to a couple of low rpi teams and still winning the conf championship. God it seems is not the only power that be that has a sense of humor
 
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And they wanted UK back in the supers. No other reason for scheduling that regional the way they did. Of course that is just my opinion as I am now making the short flight to Tucson as I type this.
 
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Hope you enjoy the trip! Hopefully Britt can share a smile towards Candrea on a trot around the bases... ;)
 

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