Math behind Moneyball

  • 4.5
Approx. 65 hours to complete

Course Summary

This course explores the role of mathematics in sports, from analyzing player performance to game strategy and statistics.

Key Learning Points

  • Gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts through real-world sports scenarios
  • Learn how to apply mathematical models to improve player performance and game strategy
  • Explore the role of statistics in sports decision-making

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Apply mathematical concepts to real-world sports scenarios
  • Analyze player performance and develop strategies to improve it
  • Make data-driven decisions using statistics in sports

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic knowledge of algebra and statistics
  • Familiarity with common sports and their rules

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Self-paced
  • Online
  • Video lectures
  • Assignments and quizzes

Similar Courses

  • Statistics in Sports
  • Sports and Society

Notable People in This Field

  • Daryl Morey
  • Nate Silver

Related Books

Description

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.

Outline

  • Before you start...
  • All you will learn
  • Suggested Textbooks (Not Required)
  • Module 1
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Pythagorean Theorem
  • 1.3 Ten runs = One win
  • Homework Problems 1 and 2
  • 1.4 Runs created
  • 1.5 Runs Created Per Game
  • 1.6 Multiple Regression 1
  • 1.7 Multiple Regression 2
  • 1.8 Linear Weights
  • 1.9 On Base Percentage + Slugging Percentage
  • 1.10 Barry Bonds Runs per Game
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended reading
  • Excel file
  • Recommended reading
  • Excel file
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  • Recommended reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended reading
  • Homework Problem 3
  • Excel Files
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  • Excel Files
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  • Homework Problems 4
  • Test Questions 1 and 2
  • Test Question 3
  • Test Question 4
  • Module 2
  • 2.1 Excel Range Names
  • 2.2 Excel Tables
  • 2.3 Conditional Formatting: Top Bottom Rules
  • 2.4 Conditional Formatting: Data Bars
  • 2.5 Conditional Formatting: The Formula Option
  • 2.6 COUNTIF and COUNTIFS functions
  • 2.7 SUMIF and SUMIFS Functions
  • 2.8 AVERAGEIF and AVERAGEIFS Functions
  • 2.9 PivotTables I
  • 2.10 PivotTables II
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
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  • Homework Problem 5
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 6
  • Test Question 5
  • Test Question 6
  • Module 3
  • 3.1 Monte Carlo Simulation I
  • 3.2 Monte Carlo Simulation Part II
  • 3.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Part III
  • 3.4 Baseball Monte Carlo simulation
  • 3.5 Resampling
  • 3.6 Deflategate
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 8
  • Test Question 7
  • Test Question 8
  • Module 4
  • 4.1 Bunting and Expected Runs
  • 4.2 Base Stealing
  • 4.3 Range Factor
  • 4.4 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) and Fielding
  • 4.5 Introduction to Fan Graphs
  • 4.6 DIPS (Defense Independent Pitching Statistics)
  • 4.7 Win Probability Added
  • 4.8 Runs above Average
  • 4.9 WAR (Wins above Replacement)
  • 4.10 What Makes your Team Win?
  • 4.11 Defensive Shifts
  • 4.12 Catcher Framing
  • 4.13 Park Factors
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended reading
  • Homework Problem 9
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 10
  • Homework Problem 11
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 12
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
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  • Homework Problem 13
  • Excel Files
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  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 14
  • Test Question 9
  • Test Questions 10&11
  • Test Question 12
  • Test Question 13
  • Test Question 14
  • Module 5
  • 5.1 Random Variables
  • 5.2 The Normal Random Variable
  • 5.3 Streakiness
  • 5.4 What makes NFL teams win?
  • 5.5 Deconstructing the NFL QB rating
  • 5.6 Football States and Values
  • 5.7 Football Decision Making
  • 5.8 The Belichick Decision
  • 5.9 Text functions and Analyzing NFL plays
  • 5.10 Texans 1st and 10 Play Selection
  • 5.11 STDEVIF and Too Many Field Goal Attempts
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 15
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 16
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 17
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 18
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
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  • Homework Problem 19
  • Test Question 15
  • Test Question 16
  • Test Question 17
  • Test Question 18
  • Test Question 19
  • Module 6
  • 6.1 Game Theory Part I
  • 6.2 Game Theory Part II
  • 6.3 Basketball Shot Selection
  • 6.4 Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG)
  • 6.5 Hollinger Team Metrics
  • 6.6 Four Factors
  • 6.7 Basketball Box Score Models
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 20
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 21
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 22
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 23
  • Test Question 20
  • Test Question 21
  • Test Question 22
  • Test Question 23
  • Module 7
  • 7.1 Extracting Lineup data and Computing raw + -
  • 7.2 Computing Pairs Lineup Statistics
  • 7.3 Adjusted + -
  • 7.4 ESPM RPM (Real Plus Minus)
  • 7.5 How Analytics Helped the Mavs beat the Heat
  • 7.6 SportsVu data
  • 7.7 In Game Basketball Decision-Making
  • 7.8 Hack a Jordan (or Dwight)
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 24
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 25
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 26
  • Excel Files
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  • Homework Problem 27
  • Test 24
  • Test 25
  • Test 26
  • Test 27
  • Module 8
  • 8.1 Rating NFL teams
  • 8.2 Computing Strength of Schedule
  • 8.3 Rating NFL Offenses and Defenses
  • 8.4 Multiplicative Rating Models for Soccer
  • 8.5 Regularization
  • 8.6 Simulating the NCAA Tournament
  • 8.7 NCAA Props Bets
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 28
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 29
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 30
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 31
  • Excel Files
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  • Homework Problem 32
  • Test 28
  • Test 29
  • Test 30
  • Test 31
  • Test 32
  • Module 9
  • 9.1 Method of Maximum Likelihood
  • 9.2 Rating Teams Based on Wins and Losses
  • 9.3 Simulating the NFL Playoffs
  • 9.4 Rating NASCAR Drivers
  • 9.5 How Good are NFL Point Spreads
  • 9.6 Relating the Money Line to Point Spreads
  • 9.7 How Can you tell if a Betting System is Successful?
  • 9.8 Props Bets I
  • 9.9 Props Bet II
  • 9.10 Props Bet III
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 33
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 34
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 35
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 36
  • Test 33
  • Test 34
  • Test 35
  • Test 36
  • Module 10
  • 10.1 Kelly Growth Part I
  • 10.2 Kelly Growth Part II
  • 10.3 Kelly Growth Part III
  • 10.4 Regression to the Mean
  • 10.5 Daily Fantasy Sports Part I
  • 10.6 Daily Fantasy Sports Part II
  • 10.7 Golf Analytics
  • Download Excel Files (Important!)
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 37
  • Excel Files
  • Recommended Reading
  • Homework Problem 38
  • Excel Files
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 39
  • Excel Files
  • Homework Problem 40
  • Test 37
  • Test 38
  • Test 39
  • Test 40
  • Final Exam
  • Download Excel Files
  • Final Exam

Summary of User Reviews

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The practical examples and exercises were particularly helpful in solidifying the concepts taught in the course.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Well-structured course with clear explanations
  • Engaging and knowledgeable instructor
  • Plenty of practical examples and exercises
  • Useful for both mathematicians and sports enthusiasts
  • Great for understanding the statistical side of sports

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course to be too basic
  • Not enough focus on advanced mathematical concepts
  • Could benefit from more real-world examples
  • Some technical issues with the online platform
  • Not suitable for those without a basic understanding of math
English
Available now
Approx. 65 hours to complete
Professor Wayne Winston
University of Houston
Coursera

Instructor

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