The biggest college basketball tournament of 2021 has wrapped up with a surprising upset from the Baylor Bears in the championship final. Despite many shocking turns and iconic moments, the TIBCO data science team ended in the 75th percentile with its forecasted bracket. TIBCO also predicted two of the four final four teams, and for three years in a row, TIBCO has correctly predicted at least one of the teams in the national championship game.
The science behind TIBCO’s bracket
Want to know how the TIBCO team continues to make such accurate predictions each year? The team leverages predictive analytics tools using TIBCO® Data Science and TIBCO Spotfire® to identify data patterns and perform data exploration of historical sports data.
Step 1: Gather the data
Before the team could begin building a model, it needed to gather the data to feed the platform. Luckily, there are plenty of publicly available data sets of historical data from past tournaments and team performances. The platform was able to assess statistics like offensive efficiency, rebounds, turnovers, points per game, and three-point shots and determine the most relevant stats for each team based on past outcomes. And all this data was used to create an algorithm to make future predictions for the 2021 tournament.
Step 2: Test the model
The data science team then took the algorithm and tested it against the historical data to see if it could accurately “predict” the winners and losers from past tournaments. The team used this to assess the model and make any necessary improvements until the predictions lined up with the actual results.
Step 3: Run the model for 2021
With this accurate machine learning model, the TIBCO team was then able to run the model for each initial match up of the sixty-eight teams and repeat the process for all the following rounds based on the forecasted results.
For those who joined the “Metrics of Data Madness” webinar on March 15 can attest, filling out your bracket with data science instead of hunches and gut instincts led to solid predictions. TIBCO data experts walked attendees through this process and helped build out their brackets using data science to produce more accurate predictions.
Apply data science for better outcomes
Beyond filling out winning brackets, TIBCO’s industry-leading data analytics software can help you make smarter, faster decisions about your business. To apply TIBCO analytics and data science solutions for greater business success, download a complimentary trial of TIBCO Spotfire analytics today.
For more stories on how business leaders are overcoming today’s most pressing digital challenges with innovative analytics and data management solutions, join us at the TIBCO Analytics Forum virtually on May 25-26, 2021. Register now!