Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Revisiting the NIT

by Ray Floriani

NEW YORK CITY - The last time out we looked at the Duke-UCONN final. Now a look back on the earlier games in the Pre-Season NIT . Three games , each with different and interesting statistical insight.

Semifinals:  UConn 81     LSU 55
The first matchup in the Pre-Season NIT ‘final four’ turned out a one sided rout. UConn dictated a relentless pace. The Huskies finished with 69 possessions. UConn had 37 possessions at the half and the final total was under 70 only because, with the outcome decided in the last seven minutes, they began using more clock.

	Eff.
UConn	117
LSU	82

Among the four factors UConn enjoyed a 46-32 edge in offensive rebounding percentage rate. Interestingly, both teams had excellent turnover rates:

	TO%
UConn	17
LSU	18

A statistic that jumped off the sheet was UConn’s 13 blocked shot. The Huskies came into the game blocking 15% of their opponents’ attempts. On this night they rejected 21% of LSU’s 63 attempts. That rate was a major factor behind the Tigers’ 38% eFG PCT. Gavin Edwards led the way with 4 blocks while Stanley Robinson added 3. Kemba Walker and Jerome Dyson of UConn shared scoring honors with 20 points each.

Duke 64     Arizona State 53
Arizona State did a good job dictating tempo in a 65 possession contest. In the end it was signature Duke defense that made the difference.

	Eff.
Duke	97
ASU	83

In a sign of things to come (in the championship) Duke enjoyed an offensive rebounding percentage edge of 35-28. Both teams were "over the limit" regarding turnover rates with Arizona State 23% and Duke checking in at 21%.

Ball movement, crisp cuts and open opportunities were reflected in the percentage of assisted field goals.

	Ast%
Duke	56
ASU	33

Kind of a surprise. Not on Duke’s end but for ASU. Under Herb Sendek the Sun Devils run a lot of variations of the Princeton offense so one would expect more passing, backdoor opportunities and a greater percentage of their field goals to be assisted. The fact there were few bodes well for the Duke D.

Jon Scheyer of Duke led all scorers with 16 points.

Consolation: Arizona State 71     LSU 52
A game that was simply a "tale of two halves". What the Dickens went on? Fresh off the UConn drubbing, LSU came out strong, enjoyed a nine point lead with five minutes remaining in the half and took a 7 point lead into intermission.

At the half:

	Score	Poss.	Eff.
LSU	34	26	131
ASU	27	26	104

The second half saw a meltdown of epic proportion for the Tigers. Once ASU took the lead the life seemed to be gone from LSU(5 second half field goals). They stood around at times on offense and failed to get good player and/or ball movement against the Sun Devil zone. The defense, virtually non- existent as ASU shot 15 of 22 (68%) the second half.

Second Half Totals :

	Score	Poss.	Eff.
LSU	18	31	58
ASU	44	30	147

As bad as LSU was, Arizona Sate was good. The game totals.

	Poss.	Eff.
LSU	57	91
ASU	57	125

ASU’s Derek Glasser led the way with 24 points. Not a bad trip to New York and start (5-1) for an Arizona state team that many worried could survive minus James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph. For LSU, they did play without point guard Bo Spencer who injured his ankle near the end of the UCONN game. Spencer though, is more a shoot first (2 of 14 from the floor VS UConn 2 assists 3 TO) type guard. Spencer’s absence hurt but doesn’t explain that twenty minute breakdown on offense, and more important, defense.

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Breaking Down Duke vs UConn

by Ray Floriani

NEW YORK CITY - This one needs special mention. It was a game not really as close as the final score indicates. Yet it was one that UConn had to a three possession affair in the waning minutes. In a hard fought game where "made shots were not easy to come by," per coach Mike Krzyzewski, his Duke Blue Devils defeated UCONN 68-59 to capture the Pre-Season NIT. The four factors...

				FTA
	Poss.	Eff.	eFG%	FGA	OReb%	TO%
Duke	73	93	32	27	46	16
UConn	74	80	37	26	31	22

Among the four factors the figure that jumps off the page is offensive rebounding percentage. Duke owned the offensive bards, extended possessions and offset their 32% eFG mark. Duke enjoyed a 56-43 rebounding edge and a 25-14 edge on the offensive glass.

Of added significance
By intermission the Blue Devils already had their defensive stamp on the contest:

	Score	Poss.	Eff.
Duke	37	39	95
UConn	28	40	70

The second half , Duke shot 28% (8 of 29). In addition they had one field goal (a Jon Scheyer 15 foot jumper) the final 12 minutes. Teams chart possessions on the bench. UCONN coach Jim Calhoun noted there was one point in the second half Duke scored once in ten possessions, yet the Huskies could not take advantage and seize the opportunity. UConn did not hit a three pointer. They were 0 for 4 but that was not a huge concern in Calhoun’s estimation because they opted to penetrate and attack the rim. Duke was 6 of 18 from beyond the arc. Virtually overlooked was Duke’s excellent turnover rate against an opponent whose defensive press was a major concern. In a game where lane penetration was not for the faint of heart, four players fouled out, two from each team. Duke’s Jon Scheyer (tournament MVP) led all scorers with 19 points. Nolan Smith added 16 for Duke. Jerome Dyson paced UConn with 15. Lance Thomas (5) and Brian Zoubek (7) did appreciable damage with those totals un the offensive boards. The game featured two hall of fame coaches with a combined five national championships and over 1600 wins.

"We held them to 28% shooting and they scored eight field goals the second half and we lost. I can’t remember something like that happening to us." - Jim Calhoun

"We are pleased and feel privileged to win the Pre-Season NIT. Especially with the Carlesimo name engraved on the championship trophy." - Mike Krzyzewski

* Next up a run down of tendencies from the three prior games from the Pre-Season NIT.