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Computer Ranks Packers in Top 5 in Minnesota Class AAA

1 Jan

College basketball fans are familiar with the Ratings Percentage Index, or RPI, which is a computer ranking of teams based on their winning percentage, their opponents’ winning percentage, and the winning percentage of their opponents’ opponents. It’s a way of more objectively comparing the more than 300 teams playing NCAA Division I basketball based on their records and strength of schedule, instead of just relying on the opinions of coaches or sportswriters.

For example, while Michigan State is currently 12-2 and ranked 16th in the Associated Press poll, the Spartans are at number 7 in the RPI based on their strength of schedule, which has been the 14th-toughest in the country. Even though Baylor is undefeated and ranked 10 spots higher in the polls, the Bears’ weaker strength of schedule (69) has them just two spots ahead of the Spartans in the RPI.

Minnesota high school sports have a similar computer ranking, called the Quality Results Formula, or QRF. It likewise is based on wins and losses and the opponents’ record, but only takes into account games against Minnesota teams. The QRF also recognizes that wins against Class AAA teams are worth more than those against Class AA teams, and wins against highly ranked Class AAAA teams get the highest recognition. With a final record of 14-12 last year, the Austin Packers came in at #31 of the 64 Class AAA teams in the season-ending QRF.

The first QRF rankings for 2011-12 came out last Monday, and the Packers (4-1 in Minnesota games) debuted at #5 on the Class AAA list. As the week progressed, the Packers crept up the list as teams above them lost, and as teams they had already played went 8-5 in holiday tournaments. Wins against Mankato East (now 6-1) and New Prague (6-3) have been important factors in building the Packers’ QRF score.

As the Packers come off an 11-day holiday break, the computer now has them ranked #3 in Class AAA:

After the 11-day period with no games, the Packers now get into the meat of their schedule, with 5 games in 11 days starting Tuesday when they host Waseca. And while the Packers haven’t yet cracked the top 10 in the Minnesota Basketball News poll, if they keep playing well it won’t be long before they get recognized by the voters, too.

Be sure to come out and support the Packers Tuesday night!

Packers clip Wingers

23 Dec

The Austin boys fell behind 3-2 at the start of their Thursday night game against Red Wing, but after that they never trailed as they went on to a 51-35 win.

The win moves the Packers to 4-2 overall, and 3-0 against section 1AAA opponents, which will help them get a favorable seed at tournament time if they keep up their current pace.

The Packers used tough defense and a balanced scoring attack to get the win. Joe Aase and Zach Wessels each had 11 points, Zach Vierkandt 9, Tom Aase and Bret Lukes 6 each, and Goliath Oboyo and Nate Schwab had 4 apiece.

It was a much different game from the high-scoring contest Tuesday in which Mankato East and the Packers combined to shoot 70 free throws: the Packers and Wingers shot just 11. See the story in the Austin Daily Herald.

Here are the highlights:

 

 

The Packers have a break now until January 3, when they host another section foe, Waseca. The Bluejay are currently 4-3 on the season.

 

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Packers drop Mankato East

21 Dec

The Austin Packers bounced back from last week’s tough loss at Rochester Mayo to knock off the visiting Mankato East Cougars 82-73 Tuesday night.

It was the first loss of the year for the Cougars, who have been ranked as high as #3 in the state Class AAA polls. The Packers had received votes in the most recent poll, and their vote total will surely increase after overcoming foul trouble that benched its two big men, Joe Aase and Tom Aase, for much of the game.

Here are the first-half highlights, which saw the Packers build a 40-26 lead at the break:

And here are the second-half highlights, during which the Packers built their lead to as much as 20 points before surviving a late East run that got to within four. While we don’t usually include free throws in the highlights, this game was so influenced by fouls that an account that didn’t show them would be incomplete. The teams took 70 free throws combined (East 38, Austin 32), with many of the Packers’ attempts coming as the Cougars fouled intentionally in the second half to stop the clock in their comeback bid. (Note that the free throws are all grouped at the end of the video, and are not necessarily in order.)

See the stories in the Austin Daily Herald and Post-Bulletin.

The win boosts the Packers’ record to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in the Big 9. Their next game is Thursday night at home against section foe Red Wing, a contest that will help determine seeding at tournament time. It’s also “Jam the Gym” night, as HyVee is giving hot dogs, chips and a soft drink to the first 300 fans attending the game.

 

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Packers Drop Close One to Mayo

17 Dec

The Austin Packers led a close contest against Rochester Mayo most of the way Friday night, but fell to 1-1 in the Big 9 after a 53-50 loss to the Spartans.

The lead was never more than five points for either team. The Spartans made seven threes on the night to stay within striking distance. Tom Aase led the Packers in scoring with 18 points, while Joe Aase added 13 despite foul trouble that had him on the bench for about half of the game. Collin Weisert had 5 point for the Packers, Bret Lukes 4, Zach Wessels and Zach Vierkandt 3, and Nate Schwab and Goliath Oboyo 2.

Let’s go to the highlights:

Read more in the Austin Daily Herald and Post-Bulletin.

The Packers return to action Tuesday night against Big 9 rival Mankato East, currently ranked #3 in Class AAA. The teams split their head-to-head games last year and tied for fourth place with conference records of 11-7, and both have their top three scorers returning.

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Packers Swamp Tigers

14 Dec

The Packers took the lead early and never looked back as they rolled to an easy 81-42 victory over I-90 rival Albert Lea Tuesday night in Packer Gym.

Ten Packers got into the scoring act, including Zach Wessels with 22 points, Goliath Oboyo (14), Tom Aase (12), Joe Aase (8), Bret Lukes (6), Zach Vierkandt (5), Nate Schwab, Tommy Olmsted and Ryan Larson with 4 each, and Colin Weisert with 2.

See the highlights below, and the story in the Austin Daily Herald.

The Packers, now 2-1 on the season, return to action Friday night in Rochester against Mayo.

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