It’s officially that time of year in college hoops - when NET Rankings make their season debut and fans start eyeing those all-important Quad One wins like kids scanning presents under the tree. For North Carolina, the early returns are promising, and the stakes are already rising.
The Tar Heels landed at No. 26 in the first NET rankings of the season, and more importantly, they’ve already notched a Quad One win - a valuable piece for their NCAA Tournament resume. Now, if you’re new to the NET game or just need a refresher, here’s the key: it’s not just about where you are ranked - it’s about where your opponents land. That’s what determines how the selection committee views your wins.
Let’s break it down.
What Are Quad Wins, and Why Do They Matter?
The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) is the sorting hat of college basketball. It categorizes every game into four quadrants based on the opponent’s NET ranking and the location of the game. Here’s how it works:
- Quad One: Home: Opponent ranked 1-30 Neutral: 1-50 Away: 1-75
- Quad Two: Home: 31-75 Neutral: 51-100 Away: 76-135
- Quad Three: Home: 76-160 Neutral: 101-200 Away: 136-240
- Quad Four: Home: 161-364 Neutral: 201-364 Away: 241-364
The higher the quadrant, the more it helps your tournament seeding. Quad One wins are gold.
Quad Four losses? Let’s just say you don’t want those on your resume.
Where UNC Stands Right Now
So far, North Carolina is 1-1 in Quad One games, splitting their high-profile matchups against Michigan State and Kansas. Everywhere else on the schedule?
Undefeated. That’s a solid start for a team looking to avoid the bubble talk come March.
And there’s another big chance on the horizon. The Tar Heels head to Lexington to take on Kentucky - currently sitting at No. 15 in the NET - for what’s shaping up to be one of their final non-conference Quad One opportunities. Kentucky may be 0-2 in Quad One games themselves, but make no mistake: this is a high-stakes matchup that could carry serious weight on Selection Sunday.
The ACC Is Trending Up - Finally
One of the biggest storylines this season is the improved strength of the ACC. Compared to last year’s sluggish start, the conference’s average NET ranking has jumped nearly 25 spots. That’s not just a stat - that’s a signal that the ACC could offer more quality wins than we’ve seen in recent years.
Here’s a snapshot:
- Average ACC NET Ranking in Initial Release: 2025-26: 71.7 2024-25: 95.9
That improvement means more chances for UNC to rack up Quad One and Quad Two wins during conference play. As of now, the Tar Heels have eight Quad One games on the upcoming schedule.
Only two of those - against Duke and Louisville - will be played at home. The rest?
Road tests, including trips to NC State, Duke, California, SMU, Miami, and Virginia.
Those road games will be critical. Not only do wins away from home carry more weight, but they also help build a resume that travels well - literally and figuratively.
The Selection Sunday Caveat
Here’s the part that trips up even seasoned fans: it doesn’t matter what a team’s NET ranking was when you played them. What matters is where they land on Selection Sunday.
Take Ohio State, for example. The Buckeyes are currently ranked No. 63 in the NET - technically a Quad Two opponent for their upcoming neutral-site clash in the CBS Sports Classic.
But if Ohio State heats up in Big Ten play and climbs into the top 50, that game retroactively becomes a Quad One win. It's a moving target, which is why fans and coaches alike keep one eye on the scoreboard and the other on the NET updates.
What’s Next for UNC?
The Tar Heels are in a solid position early in the season. They’ve already banked one Quad One win, and with a stronger ACC on the horizon, there are plenty more opportunities ahead. But as always, it’s a long road to March, and every game - every ranking shift - can change the complexion of the bracket.
So buckle in. The NET rankings are here, and they’re not just numbers - they’re the breadcrumbs that lead us to Selection Sunday.