Here’s a look from the tempo free perspective of two notable games of the past week. South Carolina upset top ranked Kentucky 68-62 knocking the Wildcats from the ranks of unbeaten. The key factor, besides possessions and offensive efficiency, was turnovers.
POSS OE TO RATE Kentucky 69 90 22 South Carolina 72 94 15
UK had 15 turnovers and South Carolina 11. It doesn’t seem like a great difference, but when over one fifth of your possessions are wasted on one of these annoying miscues, it is. Especially in what ultimately played out as a two-possession contest.
The Downey effect. Devan Downey the 5-9 senior had another superb night as he led all scorers with 30 points. The NBA efficiency model ratings follow:
Points Efficiency Downey, SC 30 49 Cousins, UK 27 31 Raley-Ross, SC 17 14 Wall, UK 19 8
The efficiency adds points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals while subtracting missed field goals, missed free throws and turnovers.
Downey was 9 of 29 from the field but added 5 rebounds, three assists and went 10-11 from the line. His per minute efficiency was an outstanding 1.290. And not computed in the formula were the acrobatic shots, closely defended and in traffic, many of which were vitally needed in crunch time. SportsCenter probably had a difficult time choosing their Downey highlight shot of the night.
DeMarcus Cousins had a solid 27-point, 12-rebound night while John Wall added 19. Wall’s efficiency was hurt by 6 of 16 shooting as well as two assists, four turnovers.
Brandis Raley-Ross, another South Carolina senior guard, added an almost forgotten 17-point, 5-rebound effort that complemented Downey’s surreal exploits.
The Obama effect. Let’s see, over the past year the President campaigned for Democratic friends in Virginia (loss), New Jersey (loss, thank the Lord it’s my home state) and Massachusetts (big upset) to name a few. He did cross the pond last Summer to try get the Olympics in Chicago. We know what happened there.
After the Wildcats ascended to number one President Obama called UK coach John Calipari to thank him for his outstanding fund raising efforts for Haiti and to chat a little basketball. Seems the President, who knows his basketball, felt UK would be all right against South Carolina.
The President is not on too good a streak these days.
In a game that should have been televised Rhode Island edged Dayton 65-64 on a last second Marquis Jones three pointer. Tempo free notes of interest…
Possessions Offensive Efficiency TO RATE
Rhode Island 62 105 24
Dayton 63 102 16
This was a huge Atlantic Ten contest both teams desperately wanted as URI lost at Xavierthe past Saturday and did not want to end this rigorous Ohio jaunt 0-2. Dayton had been upset a few days earlier at St.Joe’s and was back in the friendly confines of home where they hadn’t loss since….well the last administration.
In a slower paced game URI had 15 turnovers and a ridiculously high 24% TO rate. The Rams compensated by out rebounding Dayton 30-27 (13-9 on the offensive end). Jim Baron’s club also knocked down 10 treys (10-23) while the Flyers struggled on the perimeter with a 3 of 14 mark beyond the arc. URI had an eFG percentage of 53% while Dayton checked in at 48%. Jones ultimately put the dagger in Dayton with that last shot but Delroy James, URI’s 6-8 senior forward, was a major factor with 22 points including 6 of 8 from three.
Final Oval Office note : President Obama took in the Duke=Georgetown game on Saturday. Given his recent track record, from a superstitious viewpoint, I doubt either mentor was looking for a pre-game Presidential ‘seal of approval’.
