# CBB With Danny Z: Human Polls vs. Analytics

> Kansas, Tennessee and USC lead human polls over analytics models.
- Title: CBB With Danny Z: Human Polls vs. Analytics · OutKick
- Summary: Kansas, Tennessee and USC lead human polls over analytics models. Kansas, Tennessee and USC rank higher in human polls than analytics models for 2026-27…
- Keywords: cbb, kenpom, teamrankings, ap poll, coaches poll, kansas, tennessee, usc, college basketball, ncaa tournament, 2026-27 season, OutKick
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/cbb-danny-z-kansas-tennessee-usc-lead-human-polls-vs-analytics-argument
- Author: Dan Zaksheske
- Published: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cbb, kenpom, teamrankings, ap poll, coaches poll, kansas, tennessee, usc, college basketball, ncaa tournament, 2026-27 season, news
## Human vs. Analytics Polls
The article compares preseason AP and Coaches polls with KenPom and TeamRankings models for college basketball rankings.
## Kansas and Iowa State: Computer Preference
Kansas ranks 17th in AP Poll and 18th in Coaches Poll but 5th in KenPom and 6th in TeamRankings.
## Tennessee and USC: Human Preference
Tennessee ranks 8th in AP Poll and 9th in Coaches Poll while USC ranks 21st in AP and 22nd in Coaches Poll.
## Vanderbilt and UConn: Split Rankings
Vanderbilt ranks 12th in KenPom versus 24th in AP Poll and 21st in Coaches Poll; UConn ranks 4th in AP Poll and 5th in Coaches Poll but 11th in KenPom.
## Nebraska: Analytics Boost
Nebraska ranks 15th in KenPom and 22nd in TeamRankings versus 27th in AP Poll and 26th in Coaches Poll.
## Alabama and Houston: Model Preference
Alabama ranks 20th in AP Poll and 18th in Coaches Poll but 9th in KenPom and 16th in TeamRankings; Houston ranks 10th in AP Poll and 8th in Coaches Poll but 3rd in KenPom.
## Why the Disagreement?
The article explains that human polls focus on past performance while analytics models project future success based on current data.
## 2026-27 Season Impact
The article tracks how human and analytics rankings change as the 2026-27 season progresses.
## Vanderbilt's NCAA Performance
Vanderbilt missed NCAA Tournament first round in 2026 and ranks 24th in AP Poll.
## UConn's Recent Success
UConn won back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024.
## Next Steps for Analysis
The article will update rankings throughout the season to see which model better predicts outcomes.
## Conclusion: Human vs. Model
Kansas, Tennessee and USC rank higher in human polls than analytics models for 2026-27 college basketball season.
## Key takeaway

Kansas, Tennessee and USC rank higher in human polls than analytics models for 2026-27 college basketball season.