4.4
stars
95 ratings

Professor Wayne Winston

15,625 already enrolled

Offered By

Math behind Moneyball

University of Houston

About this Course

6,434 recent views

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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 65 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Skills you will gain

Statistics
Analytics
Microsoft Excel
Probability

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 65 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.25/5 (26 Ratings)

Professor Wayne Winston

Visiting Professor

Bauer College of Business

15,625 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Houston

Established in 1927, the University of Houston empowers students in their pursuit of learning, discovery, leadership and engagement. Located in a sprawling metropolis, our premier Tier One campus provides students with cutting edge programs including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, distance and continuing education. Ranked among the best colleges in America, UH is home to award-winning faculty, innovative research centers, has one of the most diverse student populations in the nation, and alumni who have become international leaders.

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

3 minutes to complete

Before you start...

3 minutes to complete

1 video (Total 2 min), 1 reading

7 hours to complete

Module 1

7 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 90 min), 22 readings, 3 quizzes

11 videos

1.1 Introduction12m1.2 Pythagorean Theorem12m1.3 Ten runs = One win6mHomework Problems 1 and 23m1.4 Runs created7m1.5 Runs Created Per Game5m1.6 Multiple Regression 117m1.7 Multiple Regression 26m1.8 Linear Weights6m1.9 On Base Percentage + Slugging Percentage4m1.10 Barry Bonds Runs per Game6m

22 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mExcel file10mRecommended reading10mExcel file10mExcel file10mRecommended reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mHomework Problem 310mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mHomework Problems 410m

3 practice exercises

Test Questions 1 and 230mTest Question 330mTest Question 430m

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Module 2

6 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 76 min), 23 readings, 2 quizzes

10 videos

2.1 Excel Range Names5m2.2 Excel Tables5m2.3 Conditional Formatting: Top Bottom Rules7m2.4 Conditional Formatting: Data Bars7m2.5 Conditional Formatting: The Formula Option11m2.6 COUNTIF and COUNTIFS functions9m2.7 SUMIF and SUMIFS Functions5m2.8 AVERAGEIF and AVERAGEIFS Functions6m2.9 PivotTables I9m2.10 PivotTables II8m

23 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 510mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 610m

2 practice exercises

Test Question 530mTest Question 630m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Module 3

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 71 min), 10 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

3.1 Monte Carlo Simulation I15m3.2 Monte Carlo Simulation Part II10m3.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Part III8m3.4 Baseball Monte Carlo simulation15m3.5 Resampling11m3.6 Deflategate8m

10 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 810m

2 practice exercises

Test Question 730mTest Question 830m

Week4

Week 4

8 hours to complete

Module 4

8 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 88 min), 27 readings, 5 quizzes

13 videos

4.1 Bunting and Expected Runs5m4.2 Base Stealing6m4.3 Range Factor7m4.4 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) and Fielding12m4.5 Introduction to Fan Graphs3m4.6 DIPS (Defense Independent Pitching Statistics)8m4.7 Win Probability Added7m4.8 Runs above Average6m4.9 WAR (Wins above Replacement)7m4.10 What Makes your Team Win?2m4.11 Defensive Shifts8m4.12 Catcher Framing6m4.13 Park Factors6m

27 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended reading10mHomework Problem 910mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 1010mHomework Problem 1110mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 1210mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 1310mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 1410m

5 practice exercises

Test Question 930mTest Questions 10&1130mTest Question 1230mTest Question 1330mTest Question 1430m

Week5

Week 5

8 hours to complete

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 system. You will also learn that momentum and the “hot hand” is mostly a myth. Finally, you will use Excel text functions and the concept of Expected Points per play to analyze the effectiveness of a football team’s play calling.

8 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 117 min), 23 readings, 5 quizzes

11 videos

5.1 Random Variables7m5.2 The Normal Random Variable20m5.3 Streakiness10m5.4 What makes NFL teams win?13m5.5 Deconstructing the NFL QB rating6m5.6 Football States and Values10m5.7 Football Decision Making9m5.8 The Belichick Decision9m5.9 Text functions and Analyzing NFL plays13m5.10 Texans 1st and 10 Play Selection8m5.11 STDEVIF and Too Many Field Goal Attempts7m

23 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 1510mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 1610mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 1710mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 1810mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 1910m

5 practice exercises

Test Question 1530mTest Question 1630mTest Question 1730mTest Question 1830mTest Question 1930m

Week6

Week 6

6 hours to complete

Module 6

6 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 69 min), 16 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

6.1 Game Theory Part I12m6.2 Game Theory Part II8m6.3 Basketball Shot Selection12m6.4 Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG)3m6.5 Hollinger Team Metrics5m6.6 Four Factors10m6.7 Basketball Box Score Models13m

16 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 2010mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 2110mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 2210mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 2310m

4 practice exercises

Test Question 2030mTest Question 2130mTest Question 2230mTest Question 2330m

Week7

Week 7

6 hours to complete

Module 7

6 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 98 min), 13 readings, 4 quizzes

8 videos

7.1 Extracting Lineup data and Computing raw + -16m7.2 Computing Pairs Lineup Statistics9m7.3 Adjusted + -15m7.4 ESPM RPM (Real Plus Minus)13m7.5 How Analytics Helped the Mavs beat the Heat12m7.6 SportsVu data13m7.7 In Game Basketball Decision-Making12m7.8 Hack a Jordan (or Dwight)4m

13 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 2410mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 2510mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 2610mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 2710m

4 practice exercises

Test 2430mTest 2530mTest 2630mTest 2730m

Week8

Week 8

7 hours to complete

Module 8

7 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 88 min), 18 readings, 5 quizzes

7 videos

8.1 Rating NFL teams18m8.2 Computing Strength of Schedule11m8.3 Rating NFL Offenses and Defenses11m8.4 Multiplicative Rating Models for Soccer17m8.5 Regularization7m8.6 Simulating the NCAA Tournament12m8.7 NCAA Props Bets8m

18 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 2810mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 2910mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 3010mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 3110mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 3210m

5 practice exercises

Test 2830mTest 2930mTest 3030mTest 3130mTest 3230m

Week9

Week 9

7 hours to complete

Module 9

7 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 97 min), 19 readings, 4 quizzes

10 videos

9.1 Method of Maximum Likelihood9m9.2 Rating Teams Based on Wins and Losses9m9.3 Simulating the NFL Playoffs4m9.4 Rating NASCAR Drivers10m9.5 How Good are NFL Point Spreads15m9.6 Relating the Money Line to Point Spreads9m9.7 How Can you tell if a Betting System is Successful?11m9.8 Props Bets I11m9.9 Props Bet II10m9.10 Props Bet III5m

19 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 3310mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 3410mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 3510mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 3610m

4 practice exercises

Test 3330mTest 3430mTest 3530mTest 3630m

Week10

Week 10

6 hours to complete

Module 10

6 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 73 min), 14 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

10.1 Kelly Growth Part I10m10.2 Kelly Growth Part II5m10.3 Kelly Growth Part III6m10.4 Regression to the Mean14m10.5 Daily Fantasy Sports Part I8m10.6 Daily Fantasy Sports Part II18m10.7 Golf Analytics10m

14 readings

Download Excel Files (Important!)10mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 3710mExcel Files10mRecommended Reading10mHomework Problem 3810mExcel Files10mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 3910mExcel Files10mHomework Problem 4010m

4 practice exercises

Test 3730mTest 3830mTest 3930mTest 4030m

Week11

Week 11

1 hour to complete

Final Exam

1 hour to complete

1 reading

Reviews

4.4

28 reviews

5 stars
68.42%
4 stars
20%
3 stars
4.21%
2 stars
2.10%
1 star
5.26%

TOP REVIEWS FROM MATH BEHIND MONEYBALL

by PWMay 31, 2020

Great class. Longer to complete than the estimates though.

by DTDec 18, 2022

I really liked this class, I learned a great deal about math and how to use excel to analyze sports.

by HHFeb 5, 2017

Pretty good course where you learn how to analyse performance via various statistical analysis techniques. You also learn quite a bit in MS Excel.

by SPJul 25, 2017

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.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Build employee skills, drive business results

Discover Coursera for Business

Math behind Moneyball

Math behind Moneyball

About this Course

Skills you will gain