Putting Kansas on the couch
Basketball ShrinkTM is Ken Pomeroy’s little toy that allows you to click on a team’s name on one of his stat pages and see teams that are similar, according to the stats being viewed. For example, the KU defense is most similar statistically to Florida. To make a long story short, I rigged up an Excel file that does something similar, but using ALL of the stats listed on Pomeroy’s site, instead of just those from one page. Also, if a team is particularly good or bad in a category, that category is given more weight.
“Why did you waste your time doing this?” you ask.
My original reason was that I wanted to look at the teams Texas had lost to, to see how similar they were to eachother and to Kansas, but that didn’t prove to be too fruitful. Along the way, though, I ran across something interesting. Take a look at the teams Texas is most similar to:
- Kansas
- Connecticut
- Pittsburgh
- LSU
- North Carolina
Now look at Kansas:
- Texas
- Connecticut
- LSU
- Bradley (not as ridiculous as it first seems - statistically they’re like “Kansas Jr.“)
- Syracuse
Now, as soon as you WATCH the teams you can see they’re not that similar. As mentioned earlier today, Texas plays a lot of zone (softies!), while Kansas plays (hard-nosed) man-to-man. But the results are pretty similar.
Anyway, I just thought I’d offer up what I thought was an interesting little coincidence. If this is any indication, tomorrow’s game should be a good one. I guess I should throw up a prediction. I think KU will hang close but fall in the end.
Kansas 67
Texas 72
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14 Responses to “Putting Kansas on the couch”
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February 24th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
you have no life
February 25th, 2006 at 9:08 am
An odd comment from someone who has the time to roam the internet taking pot shots at people.
February 25th, 2006 at 10:27 am
KU is my life and there’s nothing wrong with that!!!
Or maybe crackel would like to discuss this in person, fisticuffs?
February 25th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
PB’s got your back, Mike!
February 25th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Crackel only wishes he could match your ingenuity. Guess I should throw a definite prediction out there:
KU 81
UT 76
February 25th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Dude, the statistics favor KU…why are you predicting a UT victory?
Why make mindless statistic posts if you don’t even acknowledge them?
February 25th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
Why do you say the statistics favor KU?
-Texas is ranked better than KU in Pomeroy’s efficiency ratings (the stats I linked to)
-Texas’s similar teams I listed here are better.
Plus it’s a home game for Texas. I know people are saying KU plays better on the road, but their best road win is at Colorado. Meanwhile, Texas clearly has played better at hom than on the road. They beat Nova at home, and their only home loss is to Tennessee.
February 25th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
I’m realistic about every team except the Jayhawks. The only reason KU is going to lose is if this game has gotten to the young guys heads.
Dahhh Jayhawks 104
Texas neegativ 4
KU 69
UT 62
February 25th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
UPDATE!
UT 52
KU 35
LOL
February 25th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
New Update!
UT 66
KU 43
LOL!
February 25th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
I love crackel…many years of frustration all coming out in the form of updates on the phogblog. Don’t pee your pants, dude. Texas was great tonight…no question. This was a butt kicking…but one that may help KU more that you will want for the future.
February 25th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Who won?!? Can I get an update crackel?
February 25th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Texas wins!
80-55
February 25th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I bet it felt good to write that, crackel…can you give us all some insight on how you are feeling right now?