Explanation Of Powerwise Method

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A proposal to replace the current system for selecting teams to the
NCAA Men’s Division I Lacrosse Championship Tournament with the PowerWise system
is discussed. This system, developed by Men’s Division I Coaches Selection Criteria and
Rankings Committee,integrates the Sagarin power ratings with the ELO type PairWise
method to create a more objective, transparent, and ultimately fair process.

Here is an overview and rationale of the proposed PowerWise system.

Simulation of All Teams

POWERWISE works by simulating a scenario where all teams in the division play against
each other. This results in a pairwise comparison for each match-up, where one team
is designated the winner and the other the loser.

Criteria for Determining Winners

The system uses a series of steps to determine the winner of each pairwise match-up:

1. Head-to-Head

The first criterion is the actual result of games played between the two teams.
This takes precedence and is the first determinant of the winner.

2. Common Opponents

The head-to-head result doesn’t provide a clear winner, the next criterion is performance
against common opponents. This helps to determine which team performed better
against teams they both faced.

3. Power Ratings

If neither of the above criteria leads to a clear winner,
the final tie-breaker is based on the teams' power ratings. These ratings are influenced
by factors like strength of schedule, home-field advantage, and goal differential.

Objective and Transparent Methodology

• 61% Determined on the Field: A significant portion of the results (61%) are determined
directly by the team's'performances in games, ensuring that the method is rooted in actual
competition and results.

• 39% Determined by Analytics: The remaining 39% relies on objective analytics that include
strength of schedule, home-field advantage, and margin of victory,ensuring that the
power ratings account for the broader context of a team’s performance.

Benefits of the POWERWISE System

The proposal argues that POWERWISE offers several key advantages over the current approach
to selecting at-large teams for the tournament:

• Simplicity: The system is relatively straightforward to understand, with a clear and logical
progression for determining outcomes in each comparison.

• Objectivity: POWERWISE reduces the subjectivity that can occur when human judgment and
interpretations of performance come into play, as it relies on quantifiable and transparent criteria.

• Transparency: The methodology is entirely transparent, meaning stakeholders can follow the reasoning
behind team selections and rankings without ambiguity. By combining these elements, the report suggests
that POWERWISE can foster long-term acceptance within the lacrosse community, offering a fairer,
more data-driven approach to team selection.

Conclusion

The report recommends the implementation of POWERWISE as a substitute for the existing method,
presenting it as a more equitable, transparent, and objective way to determine the teams that deserve
at-large bids to the NCAA Men’s Division I Lacrosse Championship Tournament. The balance between
on-field results and analytic evaluations could enhance the fairness and credibility of the selection process.