University Challenge 2021-22: Grand Final Preview

Well, here we are again people, the night before another University Challenge preview. After a rather slow first round, this series improved considerably in the second round and quarter-finals, and we have two very deserving finalists indeed at the end of it; they are:

Imperial College London: Max Zeng, Fatima Sheriff, Michael Mays and Gilbert Jackson.

and

Reading: Sylvian Jesudoss, Margaret Ounsley, Michael Hutchinson and Kira Bishop.

So, for the first time in nine series, no Oxbridge teams in the final, meaning we're guaranteed a fourth successive non-Oxbridge win for (quickly checks Wikipedia) the first time since the 80s! For Reading, its their first ever final; for Imperial, its their fifth, of which they've won three. How did they reach it then?

Imperial got here undefeated, defeating St John's in a high scoring first round match, from which their opponents deservedly reached the repechage and eventually the QFs, before a similarly easy second round win over Exeter. Their first QF against King's was their easiest victory of the lot, before being given a close run at first by Reading in their second before ultimately running away in the second half. Their SF against Emmanuel was a similar story, close at first before an excellent second half saw them run away to reach the final.

Reading were comfortable winners over Strathclyde in the first round, and then very easily defeated Dundee in the second. Their first QF was a close game against Birmingham, which they won with a late rally, before that afore-mentioned defeat to Imperial; they recovered with a reasonably comfortable win over St John's, before their SF saw them win another close match against Edinburgh.

So, that's the bare basics; now for the even complicated stats.

Imperial have scored 1,045 points over five matches for an average of 209; Reading have exactly 1,000 over six for an average of 166.67. Imperial have also conceded fewer points as well, 460 for an average of 92, while Reading have conceded 705 for an average of 117.5.

Perhaps more tellingly, Imperial have also answered more starters correctly over fewer matches, 58 to Reading's 56. And more bonuses, 100 out of 171, to Reading's 96 out of 163. Plus, Imperial have all four players contributing to that starter number; Mr Zeng has half their tally so far, 29, but his colleagues have been contributing well as well. Reading in contrast, have been rather reliant on Mr Hutchinson's excellent buzzer performances, 40 starters so far, with Ms Ounsley contributing the other 16.

So, Imperial have all the stats in their favour; more correct answers over fewer games, more players contributing and they were comfortable winners when the two teams met earlier in the series. Does this make tomorrow a foregone conclusion?

Maybe, but not totally. Reading, after all, have proven themselves a worthy team capable of grinding out results; last Monday's win over Edinburgh is a testament to that. Imperial will certainly start as favourites, but Reading are certainly capable of an upset if things go their way.

Seriously, though, these are two excellent teams; either would be worthy winners. Hopefully, we get a good game to end the series on! So, very very best of (retrospective) luck to both teams for tomorrow night; here's to a good end to the series!

Back tomorrow night with my usual write-up.