Monday, December 22, 2008

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Is Duke Really that Good?


By Ray Floriani

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - College basketball returned to the Izod Center on Saturday for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Unfortunately, the much anticipated Duke-Xavier matchup was a one sided affair as the Blue Devils controlled from the initial possession. A look at the halftime breakdown shows the disparity. Little wonder it was a 31 (55-24) point game at intermission.

TeamPoss.Eff.
Duke39141
Xavier3962


Those efficiency numbers are astronomically good (for Duke) and bad (for Xavier). Other numbers that stood out were effective FG percentage and turnovers per 100 possessions (TO Rate).

TeameFG%TO Rate
Duke74%13%
Xavier33%26%


Xavier had more turnovers (10) than field goals (9). Simply, Sean Miller?s club had a half to forget.

As the final totals in the 82-64 contest show, Xavier had a better offensive second half:

TeamPoss.Eff.eFG%TO Rate
Duke6812160%16%
Xavier669753%24%


That 121 efficiency rating surrendered by Xavier stands out as an extreme. Especially when you consider Xavier entered the contest with a gaudy defensive efficiency of 86. The 16% turnover rate turned in by Duke was outstanding. But on this day virtually everything was outstanding for coach K's squad.

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