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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 Open Season Tuesday in New Prague

3 Dec

The 2011-12 Austin Packers kick off their quest for a March trip to Williams Arena with a journey to New Prague on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to take on the defending Section 1AAA champion Trojans.

The Packers are coming off their third straight winning season, having finished tied for fourth in the Big 9 last year with a 11-7 record, and 14-12 overall.  They return three starters who are still underclassmen, with juniors Joe Aase and Tom Aase, who were all-conference selections last year, along with sophomore Zach Wessels. A strong group of seniors including Goliath Oboyo, Nathan Schwab, Zach Vierkandt, Dan Gatbel and Ryan Larson, along with juniors Tommy Olmsted and Colin Weisert and sophomore Bret Lukes round out a roster with high expectations.

We hope you’ll show up in person for as many games as possible. See the Packers’ schedule for the season and track their progress on the Minnesota-Scores.net site.

We have several options for you to stay up to date with the Packers, aside from the Austin Daily Herald, Post-Bulletin, KAAL-TV and the frequent KAUS AM 1480 broadcasts:

  1. Follow the Packers on Twitter. We’ll be tweeting score updates during games, so if you can’t make the road games, you can get up-to-the-minute news.
  2. Join the Fast Break Club group on Facebook.
  3. Sign up for email updates through the form in the right column.

In addition to the live updates via Twitter, we’ll be posting video highlights after the games on the Austin Packer Fast Break Club channel on YouTube.

Please join us in cheering the Packers on to victory!

 

 

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Packers Looking Good in Summer Ball

14 Jun

The 2011-12 Packers saw their first action together this past weekend as they participated in a team camp at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. They played well against some top competition, beating a very good Waverly team that won the Iowa Class AAA championship last year and has several returning starters. They also made strong showings against an Evanston, Ill. team and Iowa City West – which made the large-school state semifinals last year in Iowa, and had all of its starters returning.

One of the top games was a contest against the Howard Pulley 16 and under AAU team, one of the top all-star AAU programs in Minnesota. The Pulley team also had a couple of members of its 17U team participating, including Hopkins point guard Siyani Chambers, a member of last year’s Minnesota state champions in class AAAA. The Austin boys battled until the end, when Chambers hit two free throws with six seconds left for the 86-84 Pulley win. Here are some video highlights of that contest:

The Packers head to Ames, Iowa Saturday for the Iowa State team camp, and will be playing together for much of June.

Several Packers are also playing AAU ball, including Brett Lukes who is playing on a strong 15U team, and Joe Aase, Tom Aase and Zach Wessels, who are playing for the Minnesota Fury Gold 16U team that is currently 35-4 on the year. AAU action resumes in July.

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All-Conference Aases

30 Mar

Austin has two members of the Big Nine All-Conference Teams. Joe Aase was named to the first team, while Tom Aase made the second team. Both are sophomores. Senior Zach Fadness received honorable mention.

Here is the complete list:

First team
Austin: Joe Aase, so. Century: Ater Manyang, jr. Faribault: Michael Emge, sr. Mankato East: Brody Ziegler, jr. Mankato West: Des Spann, sr. Owatonna: Vaughn Thada, sr.; Drew Osmundson, jr. Winona: Mark Blacklock, sr.; Martin Feddersen, sr.
Second team
Albert Lea: Kyle Ooms, jr. Austin: Tom Aase, so. Century: Nate Kruisselbrink, sr. Faribault: Chad Hansen, sr. Mankato East: Martin Stevens-Frederick, sr. Mayo: Ian Reid Hathaway, jr.; Nate Penz, jr. Owatonna: Tyler Supalla, sr.; Mike Sebring, sr.

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Matt Duren named KAAL Prep of Week

9 Dec

The Packers’ Matt Duren is this week’s KAAL TV male Prep of the Week.

It’s a whole new ball game for the Austin Packers this year.

“With us changing styles and trying to be more up tempo this year we need to learn to play fast,” head coach Kris Fadness said.

And with the change new leaders are emerging on the court, like senior guard Matt Duren.

“For us to be successful we need to be a real team and share the ball and I think Matt will definitely be a beneficiary of that team play,” Fadness said.

Last year Duren was a key player off the bench for the Packers, but this year he’s adjusting to his new role as a starter.

“I’ve never started before so it’s a little bit of nervous, but the adrenaline just takes over during the game,” Duren said.

Watch the story here. See highlights of the first game against Cedar Falls here.

And be sure to turn out tonight at Packer Gym as the Minneapolis Washburn Millers, fresh off a one-point win over Class AAAA Eden Prairie, come to town for a nonconference matchup.

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