KenPom / metrics update

[WSUwatcher]

There's probably another thread where this could go, but I couldn't find it quickly, so this is faster, since I'm dealing with breaking news here.

Earlier this afternoon, I happened to have KenPom on the tab open on my compouter and noticed that the Shocks were nipping at the gator's butt for #8 overall: Florida had an adjusted margin of 26.41 to #9 WSU's 26.40. But apparently other events have knocked the Gators down ever so slightly, and Florida is now (as I type) 26.39, while the Shocks sit at 26.40 -- I suppose because their opponents are pretty much finished playing? -- which means that WSU is now, at least for the moment and by the slightest of margins, up to #8 overall in the KenPom rankings.

Also, in the cherry-picking department, WSU is now one of only four teams with a top 20 offense (#12) and top 20 defense (#19) in KenPom. The others are #1 Gonzaga, #2 Villanova, and #5 Kentucky.

Edit: now 10:30 pm, and it looks like the margin will hold. #8 WSU is steady at 26.41, #9 Florida down to 26.38. Shocks continue rolling -- they're actually closer to #4 Kentucky than #10 Kansas (yes, that Kansas) is to them.

[wichshock65]

My god are there going to be some pissed off teams tomorrow night!

[Anthroshock]

WSU is now one of only four team with a top 20 offense (#12) and top 20 defense (#19) in KenPom. The others are #1 Gonzaga, #2 Villanova, and #5 Kentucky.

Historically, the National Champion has always ranked in the top 20 of AdjO and AdjD. UConn's most recent championship was one outlier to that phenomenon.

[Shockers5150]

Shox are going a long ways in the next 2 weeks.

[wufan]

I hope the team is not satisfied, but win or lose, I have enjoyed this season immensely! It has been a great joy to watch this team play exceptional basketball for the last several months, and to watch these young men sacrafice for the betterment of the team! Go Shox!

[1972Shocker]

I hope the team is not satisfied, but win or lose, I have enjoyed this season immensely! It has been a great joy to watch this team play exceptional basketball for the last several months, and to watch these young men sacrafice for the betterment of the team! Go Shox!

I think one of the more enjoyable aspects of this team was watching their progression and development throughout the season as roles were searhed for, found and developed. The progression of individual players was enjoyble as well, especially, Landry, Conner, Shaq and Rashard.

We went from a team (in Canada) that had me thinking this might be a year the program took a step backwards to a team that is right there with the best Shocker teams we have had.

Have we ever had a team that improved more during the course of a season?

Kudos to the Coaches and the players.

[pie n eye]

We don't talk about it much anymore but this team was a bounce or two away from losing to Augusta.

[Stickboy46]

We don't talk about it much anymore but this team was a bounce or two away from losing to...Southern Nazarene (?).

I think you are referring to Augusta

[pie n eye]

I think you are referring to Augusta

You are correct, thank you. Wonder how their season turned out? I seem to remember they had a guard that just lit us up.

[Bluzrover]

Also, in the cherry-picking department, WSU is now one of only four teams with a top 20 offense (#12) and top 20 defense (#19) in KenPom. The others are #1 Gonzaga, #2 Villanova, and #5 Kentucky.

In years past, what made the Shox really dangerous was our defensive prowess. What made us less than dangerous was our inability to score. This year will be so much different in that regard. Hard to believe a 3G team is more proficient at offense than defense!

What I find interesting about this as well is the fact that these teams all rely on an eight man rotation with the majority of the minutes coming from their starters (Villanova 30.30 MPG, Kentucky 28.46 MPG and Gonzaga 24.62 MPG) while the Shox are doing it with ten guys (starters at 22.72 MPG and the next five 15.02 MPG).

I don't know if that will mean anything in the tournament as I've heard several prognosticators say that most coaches use no more than 8 players during the tournament.

[giskard]

You are correct, thank you. Wonder how their season turned out? I seem to remember they had a guard that just lit us up.

I looked them up. They went 24-7 and won their first game in the NCAA Div II tournament. They play an NCAA semifinal game tonight at 7:30. There appears to be a video link on this page:

http://augustajags.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/schedule

Edit: Sherrill became the Peach Belt Conference all time leading scorer in their NCAA game yesterday.

[ShockerDropOut]

You are correct, thank you. Wonder how their season turned out? I seem to remember they had a guard that just lit us up.

Augusta University tied for the Peach Belt Conference regular season championship with a 14-5 conference and 24-7 overall record. They were the #1 seed in their conference tournament and lost to #4 seed Columbus St. They did get a #5 seed in the NCAA Div. II tournament, where they were seeded against......wait for it.......Columbus St. The rematch wasn't much of a game as Augusta University rolled 102-68. They play #1 seed Queens (N.C.) later tonight.

Keshun Sherrill who lit up the Shockers for 33 points in Wichita became the PBC career leading scorer in the NCAA tournament game against Columbus St. with a career total of 2309 career points. He leads the Jags with a 22.6 ppg/avg.

Wishing the Jags some Shocker love in their game tonight!

Edit: giskard beat me to it!

[newshock1234]

Is it sad that a D 2 team gave us the best game at koch over any mvc team this season

[bunck]

Up to #6 on KenPom and #11 on offense and #18 on defense. Nipping on Louisville's heels for #5.

[WSUwatcher]

Saw that, bunck -- pretty remarkable. Equally as eye-catching are the NCAA seeds Pomeroy also shows for the teams who made the tournament, such as 1,1,1,2,2 for his top five, then TEN for #6 (who's threatening, as you noted, to become #5 -- wouldn't that be quite a look: 1,1,1,2,10).