Two weeks in, it is worth taking a look at the Atlantic 10 numbers with the accent and caution on a (very) small sample size. The efficiency margin is the difference between the offensive and defensive efficiency. It is computed via simple subtraction with teams hoping to show a positive difference. The bigger the better. All numbers are are courtesy of kenpom.com.
Record, Efficiency Margin
VCU (4-0, 15)
Dayton (3-0, 14)
Davidson (2-2, 12)
Rhode Island (3-1, 8)
Duquesne (3-0, 7)
Richmond (3-0, 7)
Saint Louis (3-3, 3
St. Bonaventure (1-3, 1)
George Mason (5-0, 0)
UMass (4-0, -2)
Fordham (3-0, -2)
Saint Joseph’s (2-2, -2)
La Salle (1-2, -4)
George Washington (1-3, -7)
Leading offenses:
Dayton 108
Richmond 107
Davidson 107
VCU 104
Rhode Island 102
Defensive leaders
VCU 88
Duquesne 93
Dayton 94
Saint Louis 94
Fordham 94
Rhode Island 94
As noted before, teams hope to hit the century mark, or higher, on offensive efficiency (points per possession times 100). On the other end, you want to keep your opponents under 100. In VCU’s situation, Mike Rhoades’ club is off the charts on the defensive end. Again, it is early.
Added observations:
- Dayton’s defensive efficiency is above average. The Flyers are allowing a too generous 43 percent shooting from three-point range.
- Davidson is not getting to the line as much as opponents. Their free throw rate is 23 percent compared to 38 percent of the opposition. A major reason: 45 percent of Davidson’s field goal attempts are long distance.
- Good ‘D’: Rhode Island’s opposition is turning the ball over at a 22 percent rate.
- In Duquesne’s 58-38 victory over Lipscomb, the Bison shot 0 of 18 from three. Duquesne went 1 for 22. That’s a combined 1 for 40 – 0.3% for those of you scoring at home.
- Richmond needs board work. Spider opposition has a +7 advantage in offensive rebounding percentage. That largely explains the 100 defensive efficiency for Chris Mooney’s club.
- Saint Louis is still inside-oriented with 55 percent of their points coming on field goals inside the arc.
- St. Bonaventure’s average experience is 1.13 years. That figure is 322nd in the nation. It’s little surprise that freshmen were instrumental in the Bonnies’ win over Rutgers in Toronto.
- George Mason, UMass and Fordham were all undefeated prior to the games of November 20. The Patriots’ efficiency margin was a break-even. UMass and Fordham were in the ed. That is an example of a misleading number due to a small sample.
- Fifty three percent of Saint Joseph’s field goal attempts are from beyond the arc. That figure leads the nation. Ryan Daly was 6 of 12 from deep en route to a game-high 30 points in the Hawks’ win at UConn.
- A -10 offensive rebounding percentage differential needs to be addressed if LaSalle is to get on track.
- George Washington has an impressive 10 percent block percentage, but a not-too-impressive 14 percent defensive turnover rate.
