FullCourt - Points Differential vs Poll Rankings

[Wbbfan1]

FullCourt Article - Link

 

[doggydaddy]

Well, that was a waste of time to read.

 

[Icebear]

Well, that was a waste of time to read.

Ditto.

 

[Phil]

I was hoping to disagree with you but I cannot. I agree, very disappointing.

South Carolina is a "traditional power"?

What is this "fourth-quarter point differential"?

I confess I'm possibly biased, as I proposed to FC that I do some article on statistical subjects.

 

[Phil]

I'd like to hear Geno's take on Edwards “We play to win the game -- HELLO -- we play to win the game.”

I think Geno would say something like "Our goal is to play the game right. We'll never achieve that perfectly, but if we get close, winning will take care of itself."

Some people say, understandably "An ugly win is a win". Maybe for the final game, but for the rest of the reason, I think Geno has goals other than winning.

 

[Alydar]

While this article only asks questions I have found his series on statistics a lot more interesting than the usual pre-season fluff pieces.


" Take a look and see which is closer to predicting and defining success -- the objective measurement of point differential over the course of the season or the poll rankings. "

Are these the only choices?

I question the use of "predictive" when the stats used are for a completed season. Once the season is over the best measure of success can be best determined by looking at the complete bracket.

I'd also like his definition of "success".

 

[UcMiami]

Yup - pretty much a waste. Maybe they should just link to Sagarin's site?

 

[willtalk]

May God save us from the stat mongers. Gee perhaps win % and point differential might also have something to do with strength of schedule. Absolutely no mention of that as well as many other significant variables. I suppose being able to write is not necessarily synonymous with being able to reason or think rationally.

 

[vtcwbuff]

" . . . (And remember, we are not proffering analytics as a substitute for the eye test; it is merely a way to make sure we are not victimized but what we see.)"

I need a little help here. What eye test? Anyone know what this means?

 

[willtalk]

" . . . (And remember, we are not proffering analytics as a substitute for the eye test; it is merely a way to make sure we are not victimized but what we see.)"

I need a little help here. What eye test? Anyone know what this means?

Eye tests are perceptions based on our own personal observations. The implication is that our perceptions are subjective while stats are objective. The analytics are supposed to interject objectivity in order to balance our own subjective opinions. What also needs to be remembered is when stats are selectively used it will also distort objectivity. This writer also picked the stats based upon his own limited perspective. Basically it's a trick that statisticions can use to promote their own bias as being objective.

 

[Wonkster]

... South Carolina is a "traditional power"? ...

Well, yes, it was - during the Civil War.

 

[Bestiarius]

A careful reading of this treatise will enable you, with a few simple calculations, to determine the exact number of wins and losses for each team this coming season. I quote from the article, "Below I offer a table reflecting team rankings based on winning percentage for the 2013-14 season."

 

[pap49cba]

What a joke...