Overall Efficiency:
Here are the top 10 teams in Overall Efficiency this season with strength of schedule in parentheses:
1. Georgetown .992 (59)
2. West Virginia .985 (90)
3. Pittsburgh .985 (143)
4. North Carolina .985 (101)
5. Duke .983 (88)
6. Gonzaga .979 (14)
7. Arizona State .974 (155)
8. Connecticut .973 (117)
9. Missouri .971 (227)
10. Louisville .970 (240)
Arizona State(7) and Louisville(10), after beating an underrated UAB(59) team, enter the top 10 in overall efficiency this week replacing Clemson(12) and Oklahoma(14).
Georgetown: Georgetown was able to defeat UConn(8) last night in convincing fashion 74-63 on the road. I have to say I am extremely impressed with the Hoyas and not surprised that they are rated as the # 1 team in overall efficiency. Georgetown's only loss was to Tennessee(30) at a neutral site and including last night's win over UConn(8), they also have some solid victories against Memphis(13) and Maryland(37). They rank 1st in offensive efficiency and 6th in defensive efficiency, including a 13th ranked rating in effective FG % on the offensive end and the 1 ranking in effective FG% on the defensive end. In other words, don't get too discouraged if you are a UConn fan because the Hoyas defense is top of the line and is going to wreak havoc on the Big East all season long. The Hoyas have a ridiculous 4 starters shooting over 53% from the field: DaJuan Summers (53.7%), Austin Freeman(53.8%), Chris Wright(54.2%), & Greg Monroe(57.9%). I do have some concerns about their depth even though Julian Vaughn gave them some nice minutes off the bench last night, however, if those 4 guys keep shooting so well from the floor it might not matter who else is out there. By the way, how good is Greg Monroe? If he starts playing like he did last night all the time then the Hoyas will be Final 4 bound for sure.
Arizona State: Arizona State creeped into the top 10 in overall efficiency this week, somewhat to my surprise because I thought they were pretty much James Harden and that's it. Taking a look at their season so far, they have an acceptable loss to Baylor(31) and some solid wins over BYU(11), San Diego State(44), and Nebraska(63). Here's where it gets interesting though because they are # 1 in offensive effective FG% at 60.0%, which is incredible. They are hitting a remarkable 59.9% of their two point shots, which is best in the nation and they shoot the 3-ball at a 40% clip, which is good for 17th overall. A lot of this has to do with the incredible play of James Harden(23.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 57.8% FG, 46.2% 3FG), but they also have a solid low post presence in Jeff Pendergraph(12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 65.2% FG) and another lights out 3-point shooter in Rihards Kuksiks(10.8 points, 52.2% 3FG). As you can see, they have a lot going on for them offensively, but the defense is not too shabby either ranking 37th in defensive efficiency. For some reason this team just reminds me of the Dwyane Wade led Marquette team that made the Final 4 in 2003.
West Virginia: I knew that West Virginia would move up in overall efficiency after dismantling Ohio State 76-48 on the road, but I didn't think they would move all the way up to 2nd. Their offense has been solid and is ranked 25th in offensive efficiency, but they are an outstanding rebounding and defensive team. West Virginia is ranked 3rd overall in defensive efficiency, which is fueled by ranking 4th in the nation in turning other teams over. They also control the boards on both ends of the floor ranking 3rd in offensive rebound percentage and 25th in defensive rebound percentage. They have wins over Ohio State(29), Cleveland State(41), & Iowa(52) with their two losses coming against Kentucky(32) & Davidson(50). The Mountaineers are led by DeSean Butler(15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 45.2% FG, 37.8% 3FG), Alex Ruoff(17.0 points, 2.2 steals, 46.3% FG, 40.2% 3FG) and my personal favorite because of his nickname, Darryl "Truck" Bryant(11.3 points, 44.3% FG, 39.5% 3FG).
Teams To Keep An Eye On:
Illinois: If I have to pick a team from the Big 10, then I'm taking Illinois over Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan, and Minnesota. I know the other five teams are getting more hype, but I think the Illini are the best team in the conference, despite the fact they are the only team of the five who isn't ranked. To me they are the most balanced team in the league between the offense(34th in efficiency) and defense(15th in efficiency). They also have a balanced scoring attack with 4 players averaging 11 or more points and 6 players averaging 6 or more points. Offensively, they are led by Trent Meacham(12.2 points, 50.5% FG, 50.0% 3FG), Demetri McCamey(12.2 points, 4.5 assists, 45.1% FG), Mike Davis(12.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 54.5% FG), and Mike Tisdale(11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 51.2% FG), while Chester Frazier(6.2 points, 6.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 45.0% FG, 37.5% 3FG) runs the show at the point. They currently own victories against Missouri(9), Vanderbilt(68), and Tulsa(78), with their lone loss coming by 2 points against an undefeated Clemson(12) squad. Illinois(17) squares off with Purdue tonight and don't be surprised if they pull off the upset.
Players Catching Wreck:
Manny Harris, Michigan: I've been watching what Harris has been doing the past few weeks and was waiting for the right time to do a feature on him. Well, he came through last night with a monster stat line of 29 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. Sure it was against winless NC Central but Harris is no joke out on the court regardless of the competition. He put up 25 and 17 in two games against Duke and has seen his game improve across the board in his sophomore season. You won't find too many 6'5 college players with his ability to score(19.8 points),crash the boards(7.8 rebounds), and create(5.1 assists); which has led to him being ranked as the 8th best offensive player in the nation of all players who are involved in 28% or more of their teams possessions.
Stats: 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 46.5% FG , 34.6% 3FG
Unheralded Player of The Week:
I'm going to start highlighting some of the better role players in college basketball. Guys who aren't stars on their team but may one day become stars or they may just remain great role players. Either way these types of players have a major part in what teams have success throughout the season.
Corey Raji , Boston College: Raji is a 6'6 sophomore for the Eagles that has been playing really well for Al Skinner up at BC. In his last two games, Raji has hit 20 of the 24 shots he has taken from the floor and scored 42 points. In fact, in his last 6 games(all BC wins), Raji is averaging a solid 16 points and 7.3 rebounds, while shooting a ridiculous 65.7% from the floor. Raji has been the 31st most efficient player in the nation so far this year, but you probably won't hear much about him even if Boston College keeps winning.
Stats: 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals, 58.5% FG.
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