As the newly-minted #9 UConn Huskies take a break from the court to focus on their final exams, it seems as good a time as any check out some stats, about a third of the way into the season.
This exercise began with a hunch and a loaded hypothesis, that UConn shoots better on campus in Gampel Pavilion than they do in the XL Center in Hartford. While historically that might hold true, through nine games this season, that would be false. The team is shooting 53.4% in Hartford and only 50.3% in Storrs. Of course, when playing Maine, Loyola (Md.) and Yale, there is a pretty good chance you’ll shoot the lights out. Still, it is what it is.
On the year, UConn ranks 35th in the nation in field goal percentage at 49.1%. For reference, they shot 44.2% a year ago. They are shooting an average of 4.88% better than what their opponents typically allow. So, if an opponent was allowing 50% shooting on the year, UConn is typically shooting 54.88% against them. UConn’s offense has outperformed every opponent’s defense with the exception of that horrible Boston College game. Boston College allows opponents to shoot 47.4%. UConn managed just 39.3%.
UConn is also 21st in the country in scoring defense. Opponents are shooting just 37.7% against the Huskies.
On an individual level, senior Niels Giffey is 2nd in the country in three-point shooting at an insane 66.7%. Shabazz Napier is tied for 19th at 57.1%. It’s no wonder UConn is torching zone defenses this season, when you can bury threes, you’re pretty much unstoppable. Guess Syracuse escaped just in time.
Of course, most of these numbers are tainted by UConn’s usual cupcake schedule. The problem with playing teams like Loyola and Detroit is that you have to take the results with a massive grain of salt. Big wins against the likes of Florida and Indiana have justified the excitement around the state, but the going is about to get tough.
The final three non-conference games this month are against Stanford, at regular Washington and in Bridgeport against Eastern Washington. The results of those three games should tell us more about this UConn team that any of the statistics cited above.
Maine, Yale, Detroit, etc. aren’t very good, but I’m not sure I’d call a schedule featuring Indiana, Florida, and BC this early a “cupcake schedule.”
I’m of the mind that all of these non-competitive games are a waste. I’d rather 3 more tough wins than 6 easy victories in half-empty arenas.
There’s something to be said for pacing yourself early in the season. High-tension games can be mentally exhausting, and games against lower-quality teams give the coach a chance to try different things, and lets the players get used to working together against live competition without pressure.
As far as the half-empty arenas go, well, that’s CT for you.
Here’s my crazy idea, ready: Play these games on the road! Go into these niche markets (that hopefully get SNY) and put on a crazy show for their home fans, get your easy win, and hope people in Maine or wherever become UConn fans because they don’t have a local rooting interest.
I don’t want to appeal to anyone who deliberately lives in Maine.
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