Ohio high school basketball coaches express concern over RPI rankings: What we know
Central Ohio high school basketball coaches already were anticipating a tournament draw unlike any other, thanks to a new ratings system that will determine the seeding for each team.
Then they saw the first weekly rankings last week and curiosity turned to concern, if not outright frustration.
Olentangy Orange and Delaware Hayes held the top two spots in the district in Division I boys, but, among other surprises, two teams with statewide and even national schedules in Reynoldsburg and Pickerington Central were 19th and 21st, respectively. In the latest rankings Wednesday, Orange (12-0) and Delaware (12-1) remained first and second, while Reynoldsburg (8-4) was 17th and Central (8-4) was 22nd.
Perhaps the ranking that drew the most scorn was that of Richmond Heights, the two-time defending Division IV boys state champion, a team that some coaches consider one of the best in the state regardless of division. The Spartans were 13th in the Northeast District because of their 5-6 record against a schedule full of Division I and out-of-state teams. They were up to seventh on Wednesday.
“There were some uproars,” Olentangy Liberty boys coach Greg Nossaman said.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced in September that it would use a ratings percentage index (RPI) in conjunction with MaxPreps to determine seedings in each of six districts statewide.
Previously, coaches voted on seeds. Coaches will still place their teams on the bracket, starting with the No. 1 seed.
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association recommended the formula, which depends on scores entered into MaxPreps. It is comprised of 40% winning percentage, 35% opponent’s winning percentage and 25% opponent’s opponent’s winning percentage.
Unlike with the football ratings formula, no weight is placed on divisions.
Richmond Heights has wins over Cleveland St. Ignatius, the top-ranked team in Division I in the Associated Press state poll, and last year’s big-school state runner-up in Pickerington Central.
Losses to Garfield Heights (fourth in Division I) and Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (first in Division III) have come by three and eight points, respectively.
“We schedule division I and II schools for the competition, the exposure (and) preparation for the tournament, (and) also for seeding in the tournament,” said David Dennis Sr., who has led Harvest Prep’s boys to five state tournaments in 12 seasons. “To lose to a Division I school is like beating a Division IV school. So for these things to not be considered, then why do we do it? …
“Now it's not a matter of competition, it's about playing teams that win games no matter what division.”
Eric Frantz, a longtime Ohio high school reporter who is a state partnership representative for MaxPreps, said a classification factor “was discussed at length” with the OHSBCA. Frantz did not rule out tweaks to the system.
“The biggest tweak is usually to the percentages for each factor, not adding outside influences (such as a classification factor),” Frantz said, noting that at least six other states use a similar system. “The RPI rewards winning and schedule strength. It doesn’t reward previous season success, perceived schedule strength, number of students at a school or human bias and opinion. It is based on numbers and results. That’s it.”
The top three spots in the Division I girls rankings last week mirrored the AP state poll, with Pickerington Central ahead of Marysville and Olentangy. This week, Olentangy (14-0) has moved to first in the RPI and the state poll.
Noting that the RPI does not account for games against prep schools, Olentangy girls coach Jamie Edwards generally favors the system. The Braves have one such win, over Hudson Western Reserve Academy.
“We (were) rated behind Marysville (last week) because (our) WRA game is not counted in their RPI,” Edwards said. “It doesn’t make any sense to me. But I do prefer MaxPreps … mainly because everyone is reporting to the same system now. I can easily track everyone else with MaxPreps. I do wish they factored in head-to-head, but it is what it is.”
Olentangy beat Marysville 59-49 on Dec. 1 in OCC-Cardinal play. The rematch is Friday at Marysville.
With tournament draws approaching — those for the girls are Feb. 4, followed seven days later by the boys — and any input on seeding out of their hands, coaches are wondering how brackets might look.
Still, they reiterated that the best teams on a given day ultimately will win despite their seed.
“They went to this to try to make it more fair,” Nossaman said. “I am a believer that you have to beat good teams to move on.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio basketball coaches express concern over new RPI rankings
