The NCAA released the NET rankings today for the first time in the 2024-25 season.

After a 7-1 start to the season with big wins over Ohio State, West Virginia and LSU, Pitt sits at No. 5 in the first NET rankings.

You can find the NET rankings via this link.

Check out this article from the NCAA that explains how the NET rankings are calculated. This season marks the seventh consecutive year that the NCAA has used the NET rankings instead of the RPI rankings.

“Remaining factors (in the NET ranking process) include the Team Value Index (TVI), a results-based feature that rewards teams for beating good opponents, particularly on the road, and an adjusted net efficiency rating,” the NCAA said. “Adjusted efficiency is a team’s net efficiency adjusted for opponent strength and location (home/away/neutral) across all games played. For example, a given efficiency score (net points per 100 possessions) against stronger opponents is higher than the same efficiency against weaker opponents, and a given efficiency on the road is higher than the same efficiency at home.”

The Panthers have been in the top 20 of Ken Pomeroy’s rankings in recent games and are ranked No. 13 in Pomeroy’s rankings as of Monday.

Pitt will now face Mississippi State on the road on Wednesday, December 4th night. The Bulldogs are off to a 6-1 start and have been a pleasant surprise in the SEC. This game should lead to a Quad 1 game for the Panthers traveling to Starkville.