Last week the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team got mixed results. After being blown out at home by Florida State by 31 points, the Hokies went to South Florida and were facing a second straight loss. With 7:32 remaining in the game, Miami held a 59-47 lead and looked well on their way to their second ACC while the Hokies were looking at an 0-3 start.
After struggling at both ends of the floor, Virginia Tech turned up the defensive pressure and got stops while they started making shots. It all led to a 21-5 run to close the game and a 68-64 road win over the Hurricanes to improve to 10-4. This was a big win for a number of reasons for Megan Duffy’s team as it was not only their first ACC win, but also erased the taste of their loss to the Seminoles. It also raised their NET ranking.
Virginia Tech women’s basketball NET ranking rises after Miami comeback win
Following the win, the Hokies' NET ranking, climbed four spots to No. 49. What is the NET ranking you ask? Here it is,
Team Value Index (TVI), which is a result-based feature that rewards teams for beating quality opponents, particularly away from home, as well as an adjusted net efficiency rating. The adjusted efficiency is a team’s net efficiency, adjusted for the strength of the opponent and location (home/away/neutral) across all games played. For example, a given efficiency value (net points per 100 possessions) against stronger opposition rates higher than the same efficiency against lesser opponents, and having a certain efficiency on the road rates higher than the same efficiency at home.
To say that there are still a lot of chances for the Hokies to climb in the NET rankings is an understatement. There are 10 ACC teams ranked ahead of them including Georgia Tech, which is undefeated at 15-0 and ranked No. 13. Virginia Tech visits the Yellow Jackets on Thursday night. Michigan, which beat Virginia Tech in the championship game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Thanksgiving Weekend, comes in at No. 27. Miami dropped five spots after losses to Louisville and Virginia Tech to No. 80.