[GaryVoshol]

Presume that the final ranking represents the actual abilities of the robots - which we know is not totally accurate. But just assume so. Logically then, the first place seed should choose seed #2. #3 moves up to second choice, chooses #4. ... #15 moves up into the 8th alliance, and chooses #16. Then third round, they choose #17. Seventh alliance chooses #18 ... First alliance now chooses #24. So the top alliance has seeds 1, 2 and 24; the 8th alliance has seeds 15, 16, and 17. On paper it still looks to me that the #1 alliance is stronger. Would it have been stronger yet as #1, 2 and 17? Sure - but not that much.

We all know alliance picking by strict ranking doesn't occur - you take into account your scouting. #1 may pick #2 because they are a good match of robots, or maybe just so they don't have to compete against them. Or they may have a good strategy against #2, and consequently pick #4 who has strengths that their alliance will need. Quite often teams that finished outside the top 24 are picked to be in an alliance - obviously someone recognized their worth despite their low ranking.