About this course: Learn how probability, math, and statistics can be used to help baseball, football and basketball teams improve, player and lineup selection as well as in game strategy.
Created by: University of Houston System
Taught by: Professor Wayne Winston, Visiting Professor
Bauer College of Business
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Before you start...
1 video, 1 reading
Module 1
You will learn how to predict a team’s won loss record from the number of runs, points, or goals scored by a team and its opponents. Then we will introduce you to multiple regression and show how multiple regression is used to evaluate baseball hitters. Excel ...
11 videos, 22 readings
Graded: Test Questions 1 and 2
Graded: Test Question 3
Graded: Test Question 4
WEEK 2
Module 2
You will concentrate on learning important Excel tools including Range Names, Tables, Conditional Formatting, PivotTables, and the family of COUNTIFS, SUMIFS, and AVERAGEIFS functions. You will concentrate on learning important Excel tools including Range Nam...
10 videos, 23 readings
Graded: Test Question 5
Graded: Test Question 6
WEEK 3
Module 3
You will learn how Monte Carlo simulation works and how it can be used to evaluate a baseball team’s offense and the famous DEFLATEGATE controversy.
6 videos, 10 readings
Graded: Test Question 7
Graded: Test Question 8
WEEK 4
Module 4
You will learn how to evaluate baseball fielding, baseball pitchers, and evaluate in game baseball decision-making. The math behind WAR (Wins above Replacement) and Park Factors will also be discussed. Modern developments such as infield shifts and pitch frami...
13 videos, 27 readings
Graded: Test Question 9
Graded: Test Questions 10&11
Graded: Test Question 12
Graded: Test Question 13
Graded: Test Question 14
WEEK 5
Module 5
You will learn basic concepts involving random variables (specifically the normal random variable, expected value, variance and standard deviation.) You will learn how regression can be used to analyze what makes NFL teams win and decode the NFL QB rating syst...
11 videos, 23 readings
Graded: Test Question 15
Graded: Test Question 16
Graded: Test Question 17
Graded: Test Question 18
Graded: Test Question 19
WEEK 6
Module 6
You will learn how two-person zero sum game theory sheds light on football play selection and soccer penalty kick strategies. Our discussion of basketball begins with an analysis of NBA shooting, box score based player metrics, and the Four Factor concept whic...
7 videos, 16 readings
Graded: Test Question 20
Graded: Test Question 21
Graded: Test Question 22
Graded: Test Question 23
WEEK 7
Module 7
You will learn about advanced basketball concepts such as Adjusted plus minus, ESPN’s RPM, SportVu data, and NBA in game decision-making.
8 videos, 13 readings
Graded: Test 24
Graded: Test 25
Graded: Test 26
Graded: Test 27
WEEK 8
Module 8
You will learn how to use game results to rate sports teams and set point spreads. Simulation of the NCAA basketball tournament will aid you in filling out your 2016 bracket. Final 4 is in Houston!
7 videos, 18 readings
Graded: Test 28
Graded: Test 29
Graded: Test 30
Graded: Test 31
Graded: Test 32
WEEK 9
Module 9
You will learn how to rate NASCAR drivers and get an introduction to sports betting concepts such as the Money line, Props Bets, and evaluation of gambling betting systems.
10 videos, 19 readings
Graded: Test 33
Graded: Test 34
Graded: Test 35
Graded: Test 36
WEEK 10
Module 10
You will learn how Kelly Growth can optimize your sports betting, how regression to the mean explains the SI cover jinx and how to optimize a daily fantasy sports lineup. We close with a discussion of golf analytics.
7 videos, 14 readings
Graded: Test 37
Graded: Test 38
Graded: Test 39
Graded: Test 40
WEEK 11
Final Exam
Final exam has 10 questions. Please download and open Excel files before taking the exam. You will be referred to Excel files during the exam. Each question is wort 1 point. You need to answer 6 questions or more correctly to pass the exam.
1 reading
Graded: Final Exam
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Creators
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System’s four universities and six regional campuses comprise the only comprehensive higher education system serving the world’s energy capital and the Gulf Coast region. Among institutions nationwide, the UH System remains a model of diversity and a reflection of the city it serves.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Wow, this is quite the crash course in sports analytics and Excel tricks! I was familiar with most of the concepts, but enjoyed seeing how easily all of these advanced stats could be calculated, and learned some really useful Excel functionality (what-if analysis, solver). The amount of material that is covered is really impressive!
Biggest problem with this course: it doesn't turn up when you search for "sports analytics" in Coursera's search - luckily for me mooclist.com knows about it
Pretty good course where you learn how to analyse performance via various statistical analysis techniques. You also learn quite a bit in MS Excel.
Great course! I suggest to everyone interested in sports analytics to do this course. It is difficult to find courses like this focused on sports analytics.
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SP
Great course, however very heavy emphasis on Baseball and NFL. Resultantly some of the assessment questions proved impossible given the knowledge needed about the sport.