Overall Efficiency:
Here are the top 10 teams in Overall Efficiency this season with strength of schedule in parentheses:
1. Duke .982 (52)
2. North Carolina .976 (91)
3. Gonzaga .976 (44)
4. Pittsburgh .971 (16)
5. Georgetown .970 (102)
6. Wake Forest .967 (2)
7. Connecticut .967 (64)
8. Missouri .966 (23)
9. Arizona State .963 (214)
10. Memphis .959 (138)
Last Week:
1. Duke .983 (52)
2. Pittsburgh .975 (91)
3. North Carolina .973 (44)
4. West Virginia .973 (16)
5. Arizona State .971 (102)
6. Gonzaga .970 (2)
7. Connecticut .969 (64)
8. Georgetown .967 (23)
9. Wake Forest .961 (214)
10. Brigham Young .959 (138)
Missouri(8) and Memphis(10) jump back into the top 10 this week replacing West Virginia(12) and BYU(22) who dropped 12 spots after getting creamed on the road by New Mexico(56). Duke remains at # 1 in overall efficiency, while Gonzaga continues to hang around the top 10 despite not being ranked, so don't count them out yet.
UConn: UConn(7) is a team that I haven't talked about much because they are a veteran team that everyone expected to be one of the better teams in the NCAA this year. At this point, I feel like they are somewhat under the radar, because they have just one loss on the season and that was to a strong Georgetown(8) team. They have some solid victories with wins over Gonzaga(3), West Virginia(12), Miami(30), and Wisconsin(37). They also rankly highly in almost every statistical category except that they don't really turn teams over ranking 315th overall in forcing turnovers. Offensively, they are 7th overall in efficiency with their strongest areas being Effective FG%(24th), Turnover %(33rd), Off. Rebound %(18th),FT Rate(6th), and 3-Point %(39th). Defensively, the rank 18th in efficiency with their strengths being Effective FG%(16th), FT Rate(1), Off. Rebound %(52nd), and Blocks(10th). As you can see, UConn is really beating teams in many different ways, but they certainly kill teams at the free throw line, since they get to the line at the 6th highest rate in the country and are the best team in the nation at keeping teams off the line. That is definitely something to keep your eyes on around tournament time, where I think this team has an excellent chance to make the Final 4. Also, Kemba Walker could be the key to this team. If he plays like a stud along side A.J. Price, Jerome Dyson, Jeff Adrian, and Hasheem Thabeet then UConn will be tough to beat.
Teams To Keep An Eye On:
Kansas: The Jayhawks(16) are a team to keep an eye on because they have shown some signs of improvement lately after starting 3-0 in the Big 12. Statistically they rank highly in both offensive(20) and defensive(30) efficiency. On the offensive side, they shoot the ball well(23rd in Eff. FG%) and rebound it well also(36th in off. rebound %). They are a little weaker on defense, despite ranking 22nd in eff. FG%. They do not rebound the ball well defensively or turn teams over, and they have a hard time keeping their opponents of the free throw line. However, their defense has shown signs of improvement since Big 12 play has started, which is why they might be able to make some noise this season after all. Kansas is led by Sherron Collins(18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 43.1% FG, & 39.2% 3FG) and big man Cole Aldrich(15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 64.0% FG).
Players Catching Wreck:
Ahmad Nivins, St Joe's: Nivins is a 6'9 senior for the Hawks who has been a beast down low in A-10 play of late. Nivins has 3 straight double doubles putting up 28 points & 20 rebounds against URI, 16 points and 13 rebounds against St. Bonaventure, and 25 points and 10 rebounds against Charlotte. It's no surprise that St Joe's won all three games and Nivins has been the main reason for their success in the A-10 so far.
Stats: 19.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 66.5% FG
Unheralded Player of The Week:
Austin Johnson , Oklahoma: Johnson has struggled most of the season, but in the last two games against Texas and Texas A&M, Johnson has been excellent. He's scored 15 and 19 points on 12 of 21 shooting, including 4 of 7 from deep. He's also dished out 11 assists in helping Oklahoma to two solid conference victories. On the season, he also has an excellent 3.2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Johnson could be a key contributor for any run that Oklahoma makes in the tournament this year.
Stats: 7.7 points, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks, 43.0% FG
More: NCAA Basketball
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