A modern sports phenomenon not often discussed is how we always know pretty much exactly how likely any given outcome is. Betting markets and the algorithms that guide them have become powerful enough and prevalent enough that the spread, the total, and play-by-play win probability is publicized right alongside every other piece of information about the game. It’s in the previews. It’s in the broadcasts. It’s in the social media reactions.
There are some cool things about this: Knowing the scope of surprises can enhance the experience of shocking events. Sports betting can be a social activity, deepening relationships. Fans are more informed than they once were.
But at the same time, it does get old, at least occasionally. Which makes it nice, now and then, to have a sporting event off-the-radar enough that one has absolutely no idea how good the respective teams playing are.
Enter: Tonight’s WNIT Quarterfinals.
I have no idea who’s favored in these games. I have no idea how good any of these eight teams are. They are entirely a mystery to me.
And that’s kind of fun.
Tonight’s WNIT action tips off shortly, with the Bojangles Coliseum hosting Delaware and Villanova at 7:00 PM EDT. After that, we’ve got a trio of games at 8:00 PM EDT, with Rice squaring off against California Baptist at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, Colorado playing Mississippi at the My Town Movers Fieldhouse, and Northern Iowa battling Saint Louis at the UW Health Sports Factory. (A factory of sport!)
Who’s favored? No idea. And at least for a night, that makes it all the more fun.
