NEW YORK – Frank Martin’s teams have always defended well. It is a priority and ingrained in his coaching genes. This SEC season, the Gamecocks led the conference with a 93 defensive efficiency. The offensive end saw a pedestrian 100 efficiency, 11th-best in the 14-team conference. In the NCAA Tournament to date, it has been the offense coming alive.
A 93-73 first round win saw Martin’s team ring up a superlative 129 offensive efficiency. Marquette showed a 101 on their end. The number was above average on the defensive end for South Carolina, but not a serious point of contention given their work on offense. In that 88-81 victory over Duke that punched their ticket to New York, the Gamecocks rang up another impressive number on the offensive end, a 119 efficiency. Once again they allowed an above-average 109 to the Blue Devils. That win saw the credit go to the defense.
While the Marquette and Duke games saw defensive efficiency numbers above values Martin would be comfortable with, one aspect of the defensive end stood out: the ability to force turnovers. Marquette was forced into a 24 percent turnover rate while Duke coughed it up on 24 percent of their possessions. Those numbers represent one of every four possessions ending with a dreaded TO for those of you scoring at home.
What lies next for Martin & company? In Baylor they face a team showing a strong 106 offensive efficiency, fifth in the Big 12. The defense? Just as strong, as Baylor has allowed an efficiency of 100, which puts the Bears at second in the conference. Baylor only forces turnovers at a 15 percent rate. They play solid lock down defense though by limiting opposing offenses to an eFG percentage of 46 percent, another conference pace-setting number.
A very interesting meeting looms in the Madison Square Garden nightcap on Friday between two teams with a decidedly defensive mind set. A number that stands out and may give us a clue as to who advances to Sunday is offensive rebounding. Again, Martin’s clubs traditionally rebound well. Baylor led the Big 12 on offensive rebounding percentage at 42 percent, while limiting opponents to 29 percent (another conference best). That is a plus-13 difference in that all-important category.
The last time Baylor appeared at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” was 2013. Then, they left as champions of the NIT. Coach Scott Drew is hoping for a similar result this go round.
