Similarity Previews: KC-Area Teams

[NOTE: Some of this is cross posted over at Upon Further Review, a great KC-area sports blog.]

With the success of the similarity predictions so far (WARNING: extremely small sample size):



I figured I’d continue down this path, at least until I start to see some bad results.  I’ll be doing a comprehensive preview of the first round games that highlights the instances where the similarity prediction dovetails from the standard Pomeroy prediction, but first I’m going to tackle the match ups involving teams that are of interest to UFR readers.  Any system that pegs the KU and KSU games as anything other than huge mismatches probably involves throwing things off the Empire State Building, so I won’t spend much time on those games.  The more interesting game is Missouri-Clemson, so that’s the one I’ll start with, and focus on.

Tickets Punched: #15 - #17

Only one bid was sealed last night, as Lehigh took down Lafayette at home.  But there have already been a couple championship games today, including one of the biggest games from a Bubble-busting point of view – Houston upsetting UTEP in the CUSA final.

LEHIGH

This is Lehigh’s strength, and they’re led by CJ McCollum (average shooting line: 4/8 2FG, 2/5 3FG, 5/6 FT).  The two NCAA teams in their comps both lost in the first round when their offenses were completely shut down – Vandy because they couldn’t hit a three to save their life (4 of 20), and the Zags because they couldn’t hit a two (12 of 37) or grab a rebound.  I’m guessing it will be more of the latter case for Lehigh, assuming they run into an opponent with good D.