Home of the A10 Bounce“Because there is always room for one more on the bench.”
and MAAC Press Break“No matter what sport you like these guys got it covered. ”
Name That Team | February 23, 2010
By Paul Gotham
All right gang, try and do this WITHOUT research. Let these numbers sink in for a little bit. Feel free to discuss the possibilities here in the thread. It is not so important as to WHO gets the correct answer as much as it is that we arrive at the answer.
At first glance, this week’s team causes some confusion. They rank somewhere around 200 in the nation for scoring offense. At the same time their scoring margin is in the top 35. Hmmm…you read that right. At least 200 in the nation in scoring, but top 30 in scoring margin.
How does this team do it?
They value possession of the ball. They rank in the top ten of turnovers and assist to turnover ratio. Before you get confused, ranking in the top ten of turnovers is a positive thing. Not many teams have fewer turnovers per game than them. Fewer turnovers means fewer easy baskets for opponents which means opposing teams score less. Thus, the high scoring margin.
This team is 5-2 against ranked opponents. That is part of the reason why they are ranked top 20 of most RPI services. Their strength of schedule is also ranked in the top 20.
But if they want to get back to the Final Four they will need to prove they can win on the road. Only one of their seven losses is at home.
This team has a national championship appearance on their resume, but it has been a decade since they were in the Final Four. Under their current coach, they are 11-8 in NCAA Tournament play.
Name that team.
15 Responses to “Name That Team | February 23, 2010”
Leave a Reply
Follow Pickin’ Splinters on:
Wisconsin Badgers!!
Is it a team from the Big East?? I think it might be, but since I’ve been discussing this particular team at length recently, I’ll refrain from a guess…
There are no restrictions on making a guess. Only restrictions on research.
Seton Hall?
I am giving people time to weigh in.
Scratch Seton Hall … that was a dumb guess. I’m sticking with the Badgers. Final answer.
Pittsburgh
Villanova. Heck, I don’t know!
Da Hoyas??? The Big East seems to be a popular conference…
I say Wisconsin
I’ll try Purdue..
I’m dumb…. 7 losses? Scratch that first post
Last try.. Oklahoma State..
At first glance, Ohio State immediately came to mind, but in the Greg Oden days they made a Final Four appearance. Then my brain went to Maryland. Problem: 2002 Champs… Missouri was next but Mike Anderson has only been there 2 or 3 years…
My final answer: The Wisconsin Badgers. Bo Ryan has been there a while and they play good solid basketball.
Great participation!!!!!
A big Harry Caray Holy Cow for Wally, DG, and Doug – Wisconsin is the answer. Wally honed right in getting that answer correct in less than 30 minutes.
Doug – I love reading your thought process. That is good stuff.
Yes, the Badgers score just 67 points a game (ranked 214 in the country), but they hold teams to 57 (5th in the nation). Wisconsin turns the ball over just 9 times per game. Only HOuston is better in this category and that is because of a technicality – the Cougars have fewer total turnovers by virtue of playing one less game.
Pittsburgh was a reasonable guess. The Panthers score almost 69 a game while limiting teams to 61.4. Pittsburgh turns the ball over 13 times a game. One clue to eliminate the Panthers – they made the national semi-finals once and that was in 1941.
Pete – now you know a little more for the upcoming tourney.
Capp – you made me chuckle.
Smitty – you knew the answer was Wisconsin. I know. I know. YOu just didn’t want to agree with Wally.
Thanks for the participation.
WHO AM I? in the morning. Get your thinking caps on.