Get in the Game: An Interactive Introduction to Sports Analytics

"An accessible, illustrated introduction to statistics and sports analytics for fanatics and newcomers alike. On February 27, 2013, NBA shooter Steph Curry wowed crowds when he sunk eleven out of thirteen three-pointers-only seven other players, including the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, had scored more in the history of games at Madison Square Garden. Four years later, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team won their 100th straight game, defeating South Carolina 66-55. And in 2010, one sports forecaster-an octopus named Paul-correctly predicted the outcome of all of Germany's matches in the World Cup. These are surprising events. Are they truly improbable? Mathematician and sports analytics expert Tim Chartier shows readers how to answer that question-condensing complex data modeling down to coin tosses and dice throws to give readers an introduction to statistics and a new way to enjoy sporting events. Chartier leads readers through modeling experiments with accessible tools and few formulas to develop an intuitive sense of the improbable. For example, to see how likely you are to beat Curry's three-pointer feat, take into account Curry's 45.3 percent three-point shooting average in 2012-2013. Take a coin and assume heads is making the shot (slightly better than Curry at a 50 percent chance). Can you imagine getting heads eleven out of thirteen times? We soon get a sense of the improbability of Curry's feat. The book includes exercises for sports experimentation and engaging illustrations in comic book-style by illustrator Ansley Earle. The result allows all readers to predict and examine the likelihood of sports events for those who have never encountered formal statistics, who don't have the programming skills to run simulations, and may have never heard of sports analytics, but enjoy watching sports"--
An award-winning math popularizer, who has advised the US Olympic Committee, NFL, and NBA, offers sports fans a new way to understand truly improbable feats in their favorite games.   In 2013, NBA point guard Steph Curry wowed crowds when he sunk 11 out of 13 three-pointers for a game total of 54 points—only seven other players, including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, had scored more in a game at Madison Square Garden. Four years later, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team won its hundredth straight game, defeating South Carolina 66–55. And in 2010, one forecaster—an octopus named Paul—correctly predicted the outcome of all of Germany’s matches in the FIFA World Cup. These are surprising events—but are they truly improbable?   In Get in the Game, mathematician and sports analytics expert Tim Chartier helps us answer that question—condensing complex mathematics down to coin tosses and dice throws to give readers both an introduction to statistics and a new way to enjoy sporting events. With these accessible tools, Chartier leads us through modeling experiments that develop our intuitive sense of the improbable. For example, to see how likely you are to beat Curry’s three-pointer feat, consider his 45.3 percent three-point shooting average in 2012–13. Take a coin and assume heads is making the shot (slightly better than Curry at a fifty percent chance). Can you imagine getting heads eleven out of thirteen times? With engaging exercises and fun, comic book–style illustrations by Ansley Earle, Chartier’s book encourages all readers—including those who have never encountered formal statistics or data simulations, or even heard of sports analytics, but who enjoy watching sports—to get in the game.