Games of Interest (2015-16 Edition)

[ShockdaWorld]

Mine too...but I'm learning some things from this conversation. A lot of these metrics certainly point to the B12 being better than I thought defensively. But I have to agree with CDizzle, does that mean their offenses were sub par in the tournament? I really don't know. If so, was it just natural regression, or was it because they were playing teams that were more "fired up" defensively?

[WstateU]

My brain hurts.

Had this ready to post earlier and decided against it; didn’t want to piss off anyone and single out a couple of my favorite posters… :)

[Kung Wu]

My brain hurts.

Me too but I think I got it:

"KU is a bunch of pansy asses."

"Yeah, but they are really good pansy asses."

"Mathematically, there's just not enough data to prove they are pansy asses, but they do pass the pansy ass scheduling test."

"Also they can be pansy asses AND ninny-muggins at the same time!"

"Your mom liked my ninny-muggins last night."

"Your wife's photos I posted are rated a 10 on SkinPom -- and man, did she pass MY eye test."

[wsushox1]

KU is soft.

[Dave Stalwart]

I think my favorite thing is when we insult KU for the heck of it because we are WSU fans and then people come along with metrics to show us that's wrong.

I don't think there is any real doubt that KU is a good program. That's not the point at all. @Kung Wu:, I'd say your breakdown is exactly correct :) That's the depth of this argument, yet people try to make it an actual thing.

I'm allowed to insult KU, the Big 12 and Creighton as much as I want, regardless of facts.

[another shocker]

one could have used those same type metrics before wsu-ku (big 12 kingpin) or uni-ku (still big 12 kingpin) and what would it have gotten one afterwards? a whole lot of "yeah, but.."

[MoValley John]

Which basketball team is softer, the Harlem Globetrotters or the Bud Light Daredevils?

https://youtu.be/Ryt4SLHitPY

I want metrics and facts, no opinions or eye tests.

[Play Angry]

KU struggling just a bit with RPI #159 Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

[wufan]

Let's look at KU vs New Mexico State from last year's tournament. New Mexico State was a slightly better than average offensive team (ranked 124th nationally).

2015 D1 average - 102 pts per 100 possessions.
2015 Kansas - Defensive Efficiency: 91.7 (10th nationally)
KU’s expected defensive efficiency when adjusted for playing vs New Mexico State: 93.9

In the round of 64, KU won 75-56 in a game with 61 possessions. KU’s defensive efficiency for that game: 91.8 (slightly better than expectations)

Shorthand, I could describe KU’s defensive performance vs New Mexico State as follows:
KU vs New Mexico State: -2.1

Using that shorthand format, here are all the Big 12 Tourney games from last year:

KU vs New Mexico State: -2.1
KU vs Wichita State:+9.6
OU vs Albany: +8.3
OU vs Dayton: +4.2
OU vs Michigan State: +9.1
Baylor vs Georgia State: -4.0
Iowa State vs UAB: -11.7
Texas vs Butler: -4.7
West Virginia vs Buffalo: -6.7
West Virginia vs Maryland: -11.0
West Virginia vs Kentucky: +9.2
Oklahoma State vs Oregon: +4.2

Average: +0.4

Conclusion:
The Big 12's tournament performances last year were almost an exact match to KenPom's expectations. Some games were better, some worse, but in 12 games, the Big XII teams played defense right in line with their season long rankings. If you want to argue that scheduling caused their season long defensive ratings to become inflated, then we should have seen them underperform once the Big Dance started and they began playing only non-conf opponents on neutral floors. The fact that the 12 games in the Big Dance are very much in line with the overall rankings helps to confirm the validity of the overall rankings.

Basically, Big 12 teams were ranked as quality defenses entering the tournament, and they performed as such in their tournament games. As far as last year goes, the NCAA Tournament helped to confirm that the Big 12 was full of quality defensive teams.

That was an absolutely fantastic argument. If stats guys were cool enough to drop the mic on purpose, then you could do that. Unfortunately, stats are not sexy. Good argument though.

[ShockerPrez]

I'm allowed to insult KU, the Big 12 and Creighton as much as I want, regardless of facts.

So let it be written. So let it be done!

#ForAmerica

[ShoxRoxMySox]

KU struggling just a bit with RPI #159 Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Probably due to the incredible crowd, Bahah. https://twitter.com/johnehoover/stat...99631085338625

Seriously, sad.

[DwShock]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Kansas player trip Higgins or at least pull his toupee off.

[shoxilla]

KU nightmare in progress, the wife is not happy.

[HenryMuto]

KU struggling just a bit with RPI #159 Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Down 13 under 5 mins left

[pinstripers]

it's gonna be a good day, Tater