A test of the widespread-point-shaving theory
Abstract
We test whether corruption is widespread in NCAA basketball by examining scoring patterns in games involving suspected point shavers. If conspiracy occurs frequently, then we should find that strong favorites score fewer points and/or allow more points than expected. However, findings reveal that strong favorites, previously believed to be the most likely candidates to engage in point shaving, may instead be the least likely. We propose that a shift in coaching strategy late in blowout games explains the anomalous bet outcome distribution patterns previously identified in the NCAA basketball betting market.Download Info
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Bibliographic Info
Article provided by Elsevier in its journal Finance Research Letters.
Volume (Year): 6 (2009)
Issue (Month): 3 (September)
Pages: 115-121
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Web page: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/frl
Related research
Keywords: Point shaving NCAA Basketball Corruption;References
References listed on IDEASPlease report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Gray, Philip K & Gray, Stephen F, 1997. " Testing Market Efficiency: Evidence from the NFL Sports Betting Market," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 52(4), pages 1725-37, September.
- Rodney J. Paul & Andrew P. Weinbach & Mark Wilson, 2002.
"Efficient Markets, Fair Bets, and Profitability in NBA Totals 1995-96 to 2001-02,"
Working Papers
02-10, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.
- Paul, Rodney J. & Weinbach, Andrew P. & Wilson, Mark, 2004. "Efficient markets, fair bets, and profitability in NBA totals 1995-96 to 2001-02," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 624-632, September.
- Justin Wolfers, 2006. "Point Shaving: Corruption in NCAA Basketball," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(2), pages 279-283, May.
- Roger Vergin, 2001. "Overreaction in the NFL point spread market," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 11(5), pages 497-509.
- Richard Borghesi, 2008. "Widespread Corruption in Sports Gambling: Fact Or Fiction," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 74(4), pages 1063-1069, April.
- Golec, Joseph & Tamarkin, Maurry, 1991. "The degree of inefficiency in the football betting market : Statistical tests," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 311-323, December.
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