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Best of luck to the three-person NCAA Tournament selection committee trying to figure out this year’s field — it’s that close.
With the regular season over and the conference tournaments about to start, the race for the lone at-large bid and seeding for the NCAA Tournament remains tight among the nation’s top teams. In addition, a closer look at the criteria used by the selection committee shows because of the close race the conference tournament matches could have an increased significance in determining this year’s at-large bid.
Below is the entry from the 2012 NCAA men’s volleyball championship handbook on how the three-person volleyball selection committee determines the at-large team and seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
Automatic qualifiers will be determined by a method selected by each conference office. The remaining at-large team will be selected using the following criteria (in no
priority order):
– Won-lost results;
– Head-to-head competition;
– Results versus non-conference opponents;
– Home and away results;
– Results against common opponents;
– Results against teams already qualified and other teams under consideration; and
– Eligibility and availability of student-athletes for NCAA championships.
The selection committee does not consider match results against NAIA teams, such as Cardinal Stritch and Hope International. Only matches against NCAA teams factors into the criteria.
Some selection committees in the past have placed a greater emphasis on a certain categories. For instance, the 2010 committee said they placed a greater emphasis on head-to-head results and a team’s record against other teams being considered. However, there is no requirement that categories be weighed differently.
No team is a lock at this point in the season and everyone from the lone at-large and to tournament seeding is still undecided.
Here is how UCLA, UC Irvine, BYU, Stanford and USC match up against each other using the selection committee criteria and giving equal weight to each category. Also included is how the two leading at-large front-runners, UC Irvine and UCLA, match up against Lewis and Penn State for NCAA Tournament seeding possibilities.
[Editor’s note: Teams projected to qualify or be under consideration are UCLA, UC Irvine, BYU, Stanford, USC, Penn State, Lewis and Ohio State. The amount of teams under consideration will continue to decrease as it gets closer to Selection Sunday on April 29.]
At-large bid (UCLA vs. UC Irvine)
Won-lost results: ULCA 22-7; UC Irvine 21-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: UC Irvine won season series 2-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; UC Irvine 4-0. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UCLA 9-3; UC Irvine 8-4. Edge: UCLA
Road record: UCLA 9-3; UC Irvine 10-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 18-5; UC Irvine 19-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; UC Irvine 5-5. Edge: UCLA
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine
At-large bid (UCLA vs. BYU)
Won-lost results: UCLA 22-7; BYU 23-6. Edge: BYU
Head-to-head competition: Both teams split their two-match series. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; BYU 6-1. Edge: Push
Home record: UCLA 9-3; BYU 13-3. Edge: BYU
Road record: UCLA 9-3; BYU 9-2. Edge: BYU
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 18-6; BYU 20-5. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; BYU 7-4. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU
At-large bid (UCLA vs. USC)
Won-lost results: UCLA 22-7; USC 21-4. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: Both teams split their two-match series Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; USC 3-0. Edge: USC
Home record: UCLA 9-3; USC 12-1. Edge: USC
Road record: UCLA 9-3; USC 9-3. Edge: Push
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 18-7; USC 19-3. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; USC 5-4. Edge: USC
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
At-large bid (UCLA vs. Stanford)
Won-lost results: UCLA 22-7; Stanford 20-6. Edge: Stanford
Head-to-head competition: Both teams split their two-match series. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; Stanford 3-1. Edge: UCLA
Home record: UCLA 9-3; Stanford 9-3. Edge: Push
Road record: UCLA 9-3; Stanford 10-2. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 19-6; Stanford 16-4. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; Stanford 5-5. Edge: UCLA
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford
At-large bid (UC Irvine vs. BYU)
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 21-5; BYU 23-6. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: BYU won season series 2-1. Edge: BYU
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 4-0; BYU 6-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 8-4; BYU 13-3. Edge: BYU
Road record: UC Irvine 10-1; BYU 9-2. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 20-3; BYU 18-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-5; BYU 7-4. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine
At-large bid (UC Irvine vs. USC)
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 21-5; USC 21-4. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: Both teams split their two-match series. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 4-0; USC 3-0. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 8-4; USC 12-1. Edge: USC
Road record: UC Irvine 10-1; USC 9-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 20-4; USC 18-3. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-5; USC 5-4. Edge: USC
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
At-large bid (UC Irvine vs. Stanford)
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 21-5; Stanford 20-6. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: Both teams split their two-match series. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 4-0; Stanford 3-1. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 8-4; Stanford 9-3. Edge: Stanford
Road record: UC Irvine 10-1; Stanford 10-2. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 19-4; Stanford 15-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-5; Stanford 5-5. Edge: Push
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine
At-large bid (BYU vs. USC)
Won-lost results: BYU 23-6; USC 21-4. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: BYU defeated USC twice. Edge: BYU
Non-conference record: BYU 6-1; USC 3-0. Edge: USC
Home record: BYU 13-3; USC 12-1. Edge: USC
Road record: BYU 9-2; USC 9-3. Edge: BYU
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 20-6; USC 20-2. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 7-4; USC 5-4. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
At-large bid (BYU vs. Stanford)
Won-lost results: BYU 23-6; Stanford 20-6. Edge: BYU
Head-to-head competition: Stanford defeated BYU twice. Edge: Stanford
Non-conference record: BYU 6-1; Stanford 3-1. Edge: BYU
Home record: BYU 13-3; Stanford 9-3. Edge: BYU
Road record: BYU 9-2; Stanford 10-2. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 20-4; Stanford 15-6. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 7-4; Stanford 5-5. Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU
At-large bid (USC vs. Stanford)
Won-lost results: USC 21-4; Stanford 20-6. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: USC defeated Stanford twice. Edge: USC
Non-conference record: USC 3-0; Stanford 3-1. Edge: USC
Home record: USC 12-1; Stanford 9-3. Edge: USC
Road record: USC 9-3; Stanford 10-2 Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: USC 18-4; Stanford 17-4. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: USC 5-4. Stanford 5-5 Edge: Stanford
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
POTENTIAL SEEDING MATCH-UPS FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT
Penn State vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: Penn State 20-5; Lewis 23-6. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Lewis defeated Penn State. Edge: Lewis
Non-conference record: Penn State 7-5; Lewis 14-3. Edge: Lewis
Home record: Penn State 9-0; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Penn State 9-5; Lewis 8-4. Edge: Lewis
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 11-1; Lewis 9-4. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 3-4; Lewis 2-2. Edge: Lewis
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis
Penn State vs. Ohio State
Won-lost results: Penn State 20-5; Ohio State 20-8. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Penn State defeated Ohio State twice. Edge: Penn State
Non-conference record: Penn State 7-5; Ohio State 10-5. Edge: Ohio State
Home record: Penn State 9-0; Ohio State 12-2. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Penn State 9-5; Ohio State 5-4. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. common opponents: Penn State 10-1; Ohio State 11-2. Edge: Penn State
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Penn State 3-4; Ohio State 1-4. Edge: Penn State
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Penn State
UCLA vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: UCLA 22-7; Lewis 23-6. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: UCLA defeated Lewis. Edge: UCLA
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; Lewis 14-3. Edge: UCLA
Home record: UCLA 9-3; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: UCLA 9-3; Lewis 8-4. Edge: UCLA
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 8-1; Lewis 5-2. Edge: UCLA
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; Lewis 2-2. Edge: Push
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UCLA
UCLA vs. Penn State
Won-lost results: UCLA 22-7; Penn State 20-5. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Have not played each other this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UCLA 6-1; Penn State 7-5. Edge: UCLA
Home record: UCLA 9-3; Penn State 9-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: UCLA 9-3; Penn State 9-5. Edge: UCLA
Record vs. common opponents: UCLA 11-3; Penn State 4-5. Edge: UCLA
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UCLA 6-5; Penn State 3-4. Edge: UCLA
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UCLA
UC Irvine vs. Penn State
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 21-5; Penn State 20-5. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other this season Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 4-0; Penn State 7-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 8-4; Penn State 9-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: UC Irvine 10-1; Penn State 9-5. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 8-3; Penn State 3-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-5; Penn State 3-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine
UC Irvine vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: UC Irvine 21-5; Lewis 23-6. Edge: UC Irvine
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other this season Edge: Push
Non-conference record: UC Irvine 4-0; Lewis 14-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Home record: UC Irvine 8-4; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: UC Irvine 10-1; Lewis 8-4. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. common opponents: UC Irvine 10-1; Lewis 3-3. Edge: UC Irvine
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: UC Irvine 5-5; Lewis 2-2. Edge: Push
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: UC Irvine
USC vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: USC 21-4; Lewis 23-6. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: USC 3-0; Lewis 14-3. Edge: USC
Home record: USC 12-1; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: USC 9-3; Lewis 8-4 Edge: USC
Record vs. common opponents: USC 10-1; Lewis 6-3. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: USC 5-4; Lewis 2-2 Edge: USC
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
USC vs. Penn State
Won-lost results: USC 21-4; Penn State 20-5. Edge: USC
Head-to-head competition: USC defeated Penn State Edge: USC
Non-conference record: USC 3-0; Penn State 7-5. Edge: USC
Home record: USC 12-1; Penn State 9-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: USC 7-3; Penn State 9-5. Edge: USC
Record vs. common opponents: USC 8-0; Penn State 5-3. Edge: USC
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: USC 5-4; Penn State 3-4. Edge: USC
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: USC
Stanford vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: Stanford 20-6; Lewis 23-6. Edge: Lewis
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: Stanford 3-1; Lewis 14-3. Edge: Lewis
Home record: Stanford 10-3; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: Stanford 10-2; Lewis 8-4 Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: Stanford 7-3; Lewis 6-5. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Stanford 5-5; Lewis 2-2 Edge: Push
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Lewis
Stanford vs. Penn State
Won-lost results: Stanford 20-6; Penn State 20-5. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: Penn State defeated Stanford. Edge: Penn State
Non-conference record: Stanford 3-1; Penn State 7-5. Edge: Stanford
Home record: Stanford 10-3; Penn State 9-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: Stanford 10-2; Penn State 9-5 Edge: Stanford
Record vs. common opponents: Stanford 8-2; Penn State 4-4. Edge: Stanford
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: Stanford 5-5; Penn State 3-4 Edge: Stanford
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: Stanford
BYU vs. Penn State
Won-lost results: BYU 23-6; Penn State 20-5. Edge: Penn State
Head-to-head competition: BYU defeated Penn State twice. Edge: BYU
Non-conference record: BYU 6-1; Penn State 7-5. Edge: BYU
Home record: BYU 13-3; Penn State 9-0. Edge: Penn State
Road record: BYU 9-2; Penn State 9-5 Edge: BYU
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 9-3; Penn State 4-2. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 7-4; Penn State 3-4 Edge: BYU
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU
BYU vs. Lewis
Won-lost results: BYU 23-6; Lewis 23-6. Edge: Push
Head-to-head competition: Did not play each other this season. Edge: Push
Non-conference record: BYU 6-1; Lewis 14-3. Edge: BYU
Home record: BYU 13-3; Lewis 14-0. Edge: Lewis
Road record: BYU 9-2; Lewis 8-4 Edge: BYU
Record vs. common opponents: BYU 11-2; Lewis 5-4. Edge: BYU
Record vs. teams qualified or under consideration: BYU 7-4; Lewis 2-2 Edge: Push
Eligibility and availability of athletes: Neither teams with serious injuries. Edge: Push
OVERALL EDGE: BYU