Fansided

5 big takeaways from NCAA’s top 16 seed reveal

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 5, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 5, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. The Big Ten is getting a ton of respect

A year ago, the Big Ten was one of the most disappointing leagues in America. Only four schools made the NCAA Tournament, but the league still acquitted itself well with Michigan advancing all the way to the national championship game.

This season, the Big Ten has four schools inside the top 16 seeds, with Michigan and Michigan State on the two line, Purdue on the three line and Wisconsin as the final four seed on the board. This is a very impressive display from a league that hasn’t won a national championship since Michigan State cut down the nets in 2000.

It is clear that the new NET rating is helping the Big Ten here. NET, which the committee is using instead of RPI as its primary evaluation metric, places more value on who you played and where you played them.

This is a tremendous beneficiary to teams in the Big Ten, who are playing quality teams night in and night out. The league could send at least nine teams to the NCAA Tournament, and that will help raise the seedings of the conference’s best schools.