Basketball- Where we currently stand

Figured it was a good time to post this since we are almost a third of the way through the schedule with our biggest test coming up.

Metrics

Kenpom- 25th in the country

Torvik- 37th

NET- 39th


Quad Record Breakdown

Quad 1: 1-0

Quad 2: 1-0

Quad 3: 0-0

Quad 4: 7-0


Team strengths

-Rebounding

While its true that we have had favorable mismatches in most of our games, we have still been tested against good teams in that area of the game.

Kansas St is a solid defensive rebounding team who gave up 13 offensive rebounds to us.

On the other hand, Cincy does a great job at securing offensive rebounds. Outside of our game, they average a little over 13 rebounds a game. We allowed only 6 against them. They are also a longer team than us as a whole.

Lastly, Northern Iowa is the best team in the country at preventing offensive rebounds. While we didn't have a great night rebounding the ball on the offensive side of the court. We were able to be effective in other areas even when that wasn't working in our favor.

-Shots inside the arc

We are 21st in the country in 2 point percentage. This is due to a few things. Rebounding the ball off the offensive glass well. Attacking the rim for easier shots. Good passing until we find a more open look.

-Assist/Turnover ratio

We do an great job at protecting the ball and finding the open guys on the court. We are 17th in the country, which is 2nd in the SEC currently. For the most part this team plays very unselfishly.


Areas of concern

-Offense and Defense behind the 3 point line

This is by far one the biggest issue on this team currently. On the offensive side of the ball, I think this number will return closer to the national average as the season continues. Even with a few guys that like to take the occasional unadvised shot.

I think this will be an issue on defense for most of the year. We often over pursue and help too much on defense which allows for open looks from deep. It isn't a total negative though because it allows us to be more aggressive on defense and force turnovers.

-SOS

We all know this hasn't been the hardest schedule so far, by Saturday that will change a little. A smaller concern is that we don't often cover the believe margin of victory which does hurt us on some of the metrics. That won't matter too much by the end of the season though.


Bottom Line

Still too early in the season to make definite statements on the whole. It could turn out that Saturday becomes a wake up call for this team. We could also learn that this team plays to their level of competition too often. No matter what the truth is, Muss knows the issues of this team more than anyone on the board. I think we all know that we are in good hands going forward.