In a basketball tournament, there are teams named 1 through 8, such that a lower number team is better than a higher numbered team. (1 is best, 2 is second best... 8 is worst) Also, a better team will always win over a worse team. (There are no upsets)

?-\__
?-/  |
     |--\
?-\__|  |
?-/     |
        |-WINNER
?-\__   |
?-/  |  |
     |--/
?-\__|
?-/

Here is the grid for the tournament

If the better team always wins (there are no upsets) and if the pairing is completely random, what is the easiest way to figure the probability that team 2 doesn't win second place?

I am not sure about the math, but if the better team always wins, I would pair up 1 and 2 int the first game of the tournament. Then you know team 2 is out and cannot possibly get second place. Team 1 is left, which is better than everyone else and will win.

Posted by kristi on 2004-06-18 00:56:10