Document Type
Dissertation
First Faculty Advisor
Bishop, James
Keywords
Sports; Playoffs; Probability
Publisher
Bryant University
Rights Management
All rights retained by Matthew Orsi and Bryant University
Abstract
The purpose of this Senior Capstone project is to analyze the distinctions between existing playoff systems. In particular, we are looking to analyze the differences between the standard single-elimination tournament (which the NCAA has used since the inception of the tournament) and other potential options: double-elimination and multiple game series. Popular sports such as Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association all use multiple game series for their playoffs. This project will use probability theory and simulation to determine the likelihood of different seeds winning a championship as well as the expected number of victories by seed in each tournament format. In addition, a comparison of playoff earnings versus general team expenditures are examined for three playoff structures.
Included in
Other Mathematics Commons, Other Statistics and Probability Commons, Sports Studies Commons
