Playing The Margins

The difference between efficiency on offense and D can make all the difference

One of the most telling statistics when comparing teams is efficiency margin, which is the difference between the points a team scores and what it allows per 100 possessions. (The NCAA does not officially track possessions, which are calculated using the formula Pos=FGA+[.475�FTA]-OR+TO.) According to Ryan Kobliska, a blogger from Iowa City, the 2005 Final Four teams-North Carolina, Illinois, Louisville and Michigan State-had the highest efficiency margins during league play last year among teams in the seven conferences that have sent members to the Final Four in the last decade ( ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, Pac-10 and SEC). These teams rated highest in power-conference play this season.

TEAM, CONFERENCE ...�Efficiency Margin

1. Texas, Big 12 ...�+23.7

2. Memphis, C-USA ...�+22.3

3. Kansas, Big 12 ...�+18.5

4. Ohio State, Big Ten ...�+14.0

5. UConn, Big East ...�+13.9

6. UCLA, Pac-10 ...�+13.1

7. North Carolina, ACC ...�+13.0