What does the term "RPI" stand for in NCAA basketball?

The term "RPI" stands for Ratings Percentage Index. This is a mathematical formula used in NCAA basketball to assess the strength of a team's schedule and their overall performance throughout the season. The RPI incorporates three key components: a team's winning percentage, the winning percentage of its opponents, and the winning percentage of the opponents' opponents.

Using RPI helps in ranking teams when it comes to tournament selections, providing a measurement of how well teams have performed against both strong and weak competition. The importance of RPI lies in its role during the NCAA Selection Committee's decision-making process, where it serves to evaluate teams and their resumes beyond just win-loss records.

This system particularly came into focus during the tournament selection process, as it helps to ensure that deserving teams are included based on their performance in the context of their schedule. Understanding the RPI is essential for fans, coaches, and players alike, as it highlights the balance between winning games and facing competitive opponents.