Stats against Top-5 conference teams in CCC's tenure

[CappyNU]

So, given our unprecedented run of 7 in a row this year against teams currently sitting top-5 in conference, I was curious to see how we measured up against similar teams throughout CCC's tenure. Here's what I found:

Year	Conf rank	# Games	Off. Eff.	eFG	2pt%	3pt%	3pa%	Def. Eff.	eFG	2pt%	3pt%	3pa%
2021	1	7 (1-6)	0.96	47.3	47.3	31.6	38.2	1.19	57.4	57.0	38.6	43.6
2020	1	8 (0-8)	0.96	46.1	44.8	32.5	32.9	1.14	51.4	48.8	36.3	45.8
2019	2	7 (0-7)	0.88	42.8	41.4	30.2	35.8	1.10	53.8	52.7	37.2	34.9
2018	5	6 (1-5)	0.98	46.2	44.5	31.5	38.3	1.07	50.7	50.8	33.6	38.3
2017	4	6 (2-4)	1.01	46.3	49.6	26.1	31.6	1.08	52.1	49.5	37.5	38.0
2016	5	6 (0-6)	0.89	42.0	45.5	24.3	38.2	1.16	53.9	48.8	41.0	39.8
2015	4	8 (1-7)	1.00	49.1	45.0	37.8	35.7	1.19	50.3	46.2	37.9	36.3
2014	2	8 (1-7)	0.89	45.5	47.0	29.1	44.0	1.09	49.2	50.0	31.8	34.9

Note that we originally had 3 more games scheduled this year against the top 5, though one has been canceled. Currently, we are 4th in offensive efficiency, 2nd in eFG%, 2nd in 2pt%, 3rd in 3pt%, 4th in 3-point attempt%, worst in defensive efficiency, by far the worst in eFG%, by far the worst in 2pt%, 2nd-worst in 3pt%, and 2nd-worst in 3-point attempt%.

To me, it's further confirmation that our offense is not the main issue here, problems with making wide-open 3-pointers notwithstanding, but that our defense has just fallen off a cliff to unprecedentedly bad levels not seen under Collins. I hope the team has used the week off to focus on defensive fundamentals, as we're not going to turn the season around without significant improvement there.

 

[NUCat320]

Out of curiosity, what is the conference’s 3pa% ?

The most interesting stat to me of the last decade or so has been seeing 3pa% as a team stat and 3pta/g as an individual stat in draft evaluation — as if just the threat spreads the floor and drives up potential.

In the NCAA season, I feel like there was lots of talk of NU limiting 3pt attempts, in the mold of UVA’s painfully slow and championship winning pack line approach.

Personally, I think NU needs to get back to a defense-first approach. Defense is primarily effort and teamwork — things that can be taught more easily, I think, than individual playmaking or shotmaking.

I’m a simple person and I love 94-90 games, but I prefer 53-49 wins to 90-78 losses.

 

[CappyNU]

Out of curiosity, what is the conference’s 3pa% ?

The most interesting stat to me of the last decade or so has been seeing 3pa% as a team stat and 3pta/g as an individual stat in draft evaluation — as if just the threat spreads the floor and drives up potential.

In the NCAA season, I feel like there was lots of talk of NU limiting 3pt attempts, in the mold of UVA’s painfully slow and championship winning pack line approach.

Personally, I think NU needs to get back to a defense-first approach. Defense is primarily effort and teamwork — things that can be taught more easily, I think, than individual playmaking or shotmaking.

I’m a simple person and I love 94-90 games, but I prefer 53-49 wins to 90-78 losses.

Per Kenpom it looks like the median is 39.5% on offense and 37.7% on defense.