Here's an explainer on the brains behind KenPom rankings, what they are and how you could use them to win your March Madness bracket pool.
The article from MSN Sports discusses how to use advanced statistics, specifically Ken Pomeroy's KenPom ratings, to enhance bracket predictions for the NCAA basketball tournament. KenPom's system evaluates teams based on adjusted efficiency margins, which consider both offensive and defensive efficiency while adjusting for the strength of schedule. The article explains that KenPom's metrics provide a more nuanced view of team performance beyond simple win-loss records, focusing on how teams perform per possession. It highlights the importance of understanding metrics like adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, luck, and strength of schedule. The piece also touches on how these stats can help identify undervalued teams or potential Cinderella stories by looking at factors like effective field goal percentage, turnover rates, and offensive rebounding. By integrating these advanced stats, fans and analysts can make more informed predictions about which teams might advance in the tournament, potentially leading to better bracket outcomes.