I asked ChatGPT if +/- was a valuable statistic for college basketball

[CoralSpringsCat]

The plus-minus (+/-) statistic in college basketball can offer some value, but it comes with important limitations—especially in the college game compared to the NBA. Here’s a breakdown:

Why +/- Can Be Valuable

1. Team Impact Indicator:
   It reflects how the team performs (score differential) when a player is on the floor, which can capture things not always found in box score stats (like spacing, defense, or off-ball movement).
2. Role Players and Glue Guys:
   It often helps highlight players who don’t put up big stats but help their team win (e.g., good defenders, smart passers, floor-spacers).
3. Lineup Synergy:
   Coaches and analysts can spot which lineups work well together—even if individual performances vary.

Why It Can Be Misleading in College Basketball

1. Shorter Games / Fewer Minutes:
   College games are 40 minutes (vs. 48 in the NBA), and players rotate more. This small sample size increases variability and randomness.
2. Quality of Competition:
   Disparity in skill level is often huge in college. A player might have a great +/- just because they played against a weak lineup or during a blowout.
3. Lack of Context:
   +/- doesn’t account for things like:
   • Who else is on the floor?
   • What kind of defense is being played?
   • Garbage time minutes?
4. Scorekeeper Inconsistencies:
   College basketball doesn’t always track +/- as rigorously as the NBA, and not every school publishes it reliably.

When It’s Most Useful

• Over a larger sample size (like a full season).
• When used with other metrics like Box Plus-Minus (BPM), Offensive/Defensive Rating, Net Rating, or lineup data.
• For identifying trends or comparing teammates in similar roles.

Final Verdict

+/- is a helpful but noisy stat in college basketball. On its own, it’s not very reliable. But when combined with context and other stats, it can uncover hidden value—especially for players who make their team better in subtle ways.