Predicting the field

So first off, since about 9th grade, way back in 2004, I discovered lacrosse. And from 2004 to about 2011 it was just about the biggest, most important thing in my life. 2011 was when I really buckled down with school and when I met my now wife. So while it isn't the most important thing anymore, I still really like it.

Before COVID-19 cancelled everything including the 2020 NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse season I had the idea to create a program that would help me with my bracket come May, when the National Championships are and Lacrosse's version of March Madness. I found all the data I could for the lacrosse tournament going back to 2014 and now I think I have all the data. But for a while I didn't think I would do it. I have to brush up on machine learning concepts and figure out how to do all the modelling and setting up the data sets. I hesitated on starting this project because I felt overwhelmed, and the impostor syndrome started creeping in even on a personal project.

But I'm finally starting. On the bright side, if this takes a while I have until May 2021 to really get it working for the next tournament. I'm actually going to start off fairly simple and not use machine learning at first, just making an algorithm to compare the stats that stats that I have and then later on bring in proper machine learning and comparing the results.

I'll make some periodic updates and maybe try live streaming once it gets a little more interesting. Who knows.