Big East Poll , NET Rankings and Team Sheets

[brewcity77]

I'd love to see this happen, but no team outside the top 30 in KenPom defensive efficiency has EVER won a natty.  We're #90 (but #1 offense).  Would love for Shaka and the guys to prove me wrong though.

Entering the tournament, the lowest defense ranking was 39. But plenty of Final Four teams have made it with lower defensive rankings. I think the key is to get us, Arizona, Xavier, and Baylor into the Final Four. Then a sub-40 defense is certain to win.

[MU82]

It's so much fun to be even talking about Final Fours and national titles!

[Uncle Rico]

Entering the tournament, the lowest defense ranking was 39. But plenty of Final Four teams have made it with lower defensive rankings. I think the key is to get us, Arizona, Xavier, and Baylor into the Final Four. Then a sub-40 defense is certain to win.

Being outside the top-20 in either offense or defense is an outlier

I think covid and the portal changes the equation a bit — maybe.  We'll have more data points in a year or two

[BM1090]

SaveOD

The Golden State Warriors changed the NBA and MU's style might be changing the old rules of who can win and who cannot win.

You never know what's going to happen era to era as style of play changes, but the Warriors defensive rankings in their four title years were:

2015 - 1st
2017 - 2nd
2018 - 11th
2022 - 1st

They won with defense as much as they did with offense. Since 2013, their 2018 team is the only team to win the NBA title while ranking outside of the top 10 in defense. It's possible for MU to make a run, but the defense will likely have to improve.

[Goose]

BM1090

I still think our defense is far better than the ranking shows. There is not a game that we are not forcing the opponent to make tough shots. The second chance points have hurt the cause. First shot possessions they are making teams work hard more often than not.

[Uncle Rico]

BM1090

I still think our defense is far better than the ranking shows. There is not a game that we are not forcing the opponent to make tough shots. The second chance points have hurt the cause. First shot possessions they are making teams work hard more often than not.

While this is true, the ranking is low because of what happens when giving up second chance points.  At this point, it's part of who they are. 

[BM1090]

BM1090

I still think our defense is far better than the ranking shows. There is not a game that we are not forcing the opponent to make tough shots. The second chance points have hurt the cause. First shot possessions they are making teams work hard more often than not.

We agree there. The first shot defense is just fine. Improving marginally on the glass is probably the easiest way to fix the defense.

[CountryRoads]

Expecting the defense metrics to improve a bit the rest of the way.

Avg kenpom offense rank of BE opponents:

First 9: 53.3
Last 11: 84.4

[wiscwarrior]

...and see a NCAA Championship banner or two; you gotta believe!

I just turned 77 so maybe that's an omen for this year. 

[GoldenEagles03]

Marquette's offense is up to #1 in KenPom Offense after Purdue just finished up with Minnesota.

Unbelievable.

[MuggsyB]

Marquette's offense is up to #1 in KenPom Offense after Purdue just finished up with Minnesota.

Unbelievable.

Wow. It's also interesting that our two best % 3pt shooters come off the bench. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Did NET stop updating UConn's ranking?

Losing to a top 65 team on the road doesn't really hurt you. This doesn't go into NET calculations, but at Seton Hall is a Q1 loss.

[Herman Cain]

Big East NET rankings as of games of January 19, 2023
New Old
8   7   UConn   
17   18   Marquette   
18   20   Creighton   
22   22   Xavier   
38   38   Providence   
63   61   Seton Hall   
78   78   St. John's
86   87   Butler   
101   101   Villanova   
154   155   DePaul   
251   250   Georgetown   

January 20 Team Sheets. MU is 17
https://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2023/net-teamsheets-plus

[Goose]

Thanks, Herman. Very much appreciate you updating this post on a regular basis, especially when the number looks good for MU.

[PointWarrior]

Thanks, Herman. Very much appreciate you updating this post on a regular basis, especially when the number looks good for MU.

Surprised he is not calling them "Excellent" rankings.

[Goose]

Point

Herman can call anything he wants excellent as far as I am concerned. We need more Hermans on scoop.

[MU82]

Thanks, Herman. Very much appreciate you updating this post on a regular basis, especially when the number looks good for MU.

Agree. Always like seeing these from 9-9-9.

[Newsdreams]

Surprised he is not calling them "Excellent" rankings.

Once they're Elite he will post accordingly

[mugrad_89]

Big East NET rankings as of games of January 19, 2023
New Old
8   7   UConn   
17   18   Marquette   
18   20   Creighton   
22   22   Xavier   
38   38   Providence   
63   61   Seton Hall   
78   78   St. John's
86   87   Butler   
101   101   Villanova   
154   155   DePaul   
251   250   Georgetown   

January 20 Team Sheets. MU is 17
https://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2023/net-teamsheets-plus

Not sure I get the love for Creighton - is it because of their margin of victory in the games they are supposed to win?

[PGsHeroes32]

Not sure I get the love for Creighton - is it because of their margin of victory in the games they are supposed to win?

Margin of victory

We are their largetst loss at 11.

Arkansas is aging poorly but still a top 30 neutral court win OOC

[tower912]

Creighton lost close games to good teams and played a difficult OOC schedule.   With Kalkbrenner healthy, I expect them to show why they were ranked so highly in the preseason.

[PointWarrior]

Point

Herman can call anything he wants excellent as far as I am concerned. We need more Hermans on scoop.

Goose - A bit of a joke - see Herman calls all his articles "Excellent article..."    Now MU actually has excellent Net numbers...

[Goose]

Point

I love his excellent articles.

[tower912]

nm

[PointWarrior]

Goose - I though dry January meant giving up alcohol, not humor...

Point

I love his excellent articles.