Investigating Machine Learning as an Anomaly Detection Tool in College Basketball
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Computer Information Systems
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Cemil Kuzey, PhD
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are more commonly becoming tools that organizations use to prevent, detect, and deter fraud. Like other organizations, the amount of fraud that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) faces is growing at an alarming rate. The primary issue involves athletes that undermine the integrity of their sport by purposefully playing below their true potential as participants in broader betting-related schemes. This thesis focused on Division 1 Men’s Basketball evaluates the viability of using supervised ML to detect anomalies in team performance over games in recent seasons. Anomalies, like red flags in the context of fraud, will indicate that performance manipulation was more likely in that game. The purpose is to transform game statistics into actionable information that increases oversight and monitoring.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Investigating Machine Learning as an Anomaly Detection Tool in College Basketball
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are more commonly becoming tools that organizations use to prevent, detect, and deter fraud. Like other organizations, the amount of fraud that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) faces is growing at an alarming rate. The primary issue involves athletes that undermine the integrity of their sport by purposefully playing below their true potential as participants in broader betting-related schemes. This thesis focused on Division 1 Men’s Basketball evaluates the viability of using supervised ML to detect anomalies in team performance over games in recent seasons. Anomalies, like red flags in the context of fraud, will indicate that performance manipulation was more likely in that game. The purpose is to transform game statistics into actionable information that increases oversight and monitoring.