Man vs. Machine: IHSAA Rankings vs. PHIA Power Scores

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The second set of rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association were released on Monday afternoon. Let's take a look at some of the major differences between Man (the IHSAA rankings) and Machine (the Prep Hoops Power Scores) and determine who we think is more accurate at this point in time.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the Power Scores are higher on: Ames </strong>(#2 in Power Score, #5 in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Council Bluffs Lincoln</strong> (#5 in Power Score, #10 in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Bettendorf </strong>(#8 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>North Scott </strong>(#9 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the IHSAA rankings are higher on: Dowling Catholic</strong> (#3 in IHSAA rankings, #7 in Power Score), <strong>Waukee</strong> (#6 in IHSAA rankings, #11 in Power Score), <strong>Pleasant Valley</strong> (#9 in IHSAA rankings, #15 in Power Score)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our thoughts:</strong> Despite losing to Urbandale last night, Ames is still #2 in the Power Score algorithm, while they checked in at #5 in the IHSAA rankings, and that was prior to the loss. Council Bluffs Lincoln, in my opinion, is probably more accurately ranked by the IHSAA, but I can see why the computers would like them so much so far this season, with a high-scoring offense and impressive point-differential. They're certainly the best team out west, but time will tell on how they fare when they have to take on teams from the CIML in postseason play. All that said, the biggest reason I'm going to side with Man on this one is the placement of Dowling Catholic. The Maroons can't be ranked any lower than 3rd at this point in time, and I'm not quite sure why the Power Scores are so "low" on on Dowling.<br><strong>The verdict: Man </strong>wins this debate, largely because of the Power Scores disrespect of Dowling Catholic, a team that has been sensational so far this season and may have the second best resume in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the Power Scores are higher on: Knoxville</strong> (#5 in Power Score, #9 in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Saydel</strong> (#10 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the IHSAA rankings are higher on:</strong> <strong>ADM</strong> (#6 in IHSAA rankings, #9 in Power Score), <strong>Wahlert Catholic</strong> (#10 in IHSAA rankings, #20 in Power Score)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our thoughts: </strong>This is far-and-away the class that the rankings and Power Scores had the most agreement on, with nine teams ranked in both rankings and the lone difference being Saydel coming in at #10 in the Power Scores, while Wahlert Catholic was the 10th ranked team in the rankings. Saydel has gotten off to a nice 7-1 start, but hasn't really beaten anyone, while Wahlert at least has a win over Decorah on their resume. <br><strong>The verdict: Man </strong>wins this debate as well because of the placement of Knoxville. The Power Scores still have the Panthers ranked #5, despite a 27-point loss to Pella last night. That doesn't make much sense to me. The Power Scores still have the Panthers ranked ahead of the Dutch. Make it make sense...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the Power Scores are higher on:</strong> <strong>Kuemper Catholic</strong> (#1 in Power Score, #5 in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Mid-Prairie </strong>(#4 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Sioux Central</strong> (#5 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Waukon</strong> (#6 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Forest City</strong> (#7 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Grundy Center</strong> (#8 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Centerville</strong> (#9 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the IHSAA rankings are higher on: Regina Catholic</strong> (#3 in IHSAA rankings, #14 in Power Score), <strong>Western Christian </strong>(#4 in IHSAA rankings, #11 in Power Score), <strong>Denver</strong> (#7 in IHSAA rankings, #18 in Power Score), <strong>Cherokee</strong> (#8 in IHSAA rankings, #16 in Power Score), <strong>Union</strong> (#9 in IHSAA rankings, #20 in Power Score), <strong>Cascade</strong> (#10 in IHSAA rankings, #17 in Power Score)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our thoughts: </strong>This is clearly the class that has the most disagreement between the two sets of rankings, with Mid-Prairie, Sioux Central, Waukon, Forest City, Grundy Center, and Centerville all ranked in the top 10 in Power Scores, but not in the rankings, while our rankings were 11 spots higher on Regina, 7 spots higher on Western Christian, 11 on Denver, 8 on Cherokee, 11 on Union, and 7 on Cascade. I will say, I like that Kuemper Catholic is still in the top spot in the Power Score. The Knights were a team that we had a bit of a debate about in our rankings committee meeting. They aren't playing at full strength right now, hence the recent losses and subsequent drop in the rankings, but if they can get to full strength by postseason play, they may still be the best team in the class.<br><strong>The verdict: </strong>I'm obviously biased here given that I serve on the 2A rankings committee, but it has to be <strong>Man</strong> here. Mid-Prairie being 10 spots higher in the Power Scores than Regina despite losing to Solon by 20 more points than the Regals did is another one of those Power Score rankings that has me scratching my head. Regina also beat West Branch by 20 more points than the Golden Hawks did. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the Power Scores are higher on: Lynnville-Sully</strong> (#4 in Power Score, #10 in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Calamus-Wheatland </strong>(#8 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>Ankeny Christian Academy </strong>(#9 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings), <strong>South Winneshiek</strong> (#10 in Power Score, NR in IHSAA rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams the IHSAA rankings are higher on: Wapsie Valley</strong> (#2 in IHSAA rankings, #6 in Power Score), <strong>Boyden-Hull </strong>(#5 in IHSAA rankings, #15 in Power Score), <strong>Bishop Garrigan</strong> (#7 in IHSAA rankings, #14 in Power Score), <strong>Bellevue</strong> (#9 in IHSAA rankings, #13 in Power Score)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our thoughts: </strong>The Boyden-Hull ranking alone is going to give the edge to Man here. The Comets' lone loss has come to arguably the best team in 2A (Unity Christian), and they've rolled through a tough Siouxland schedule so far. There's an argument to be made that the 1A committee was too low on the Comets. I also personally would have Bishop Garrigan in the top 4-5 in the class, so I have to side with Man.<br><strong>The verdict:</strong> A clean sweep for <strong>Man</strong> in this Man vs. Machine debate. Some of the Power Scores rankings are just baffling. A fun tool to look at, but trust the eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->