A-10 Tempo Thursday: February 17, 2022

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

Heading down the stretch, several teams are in serious contention. Davidson has been on top nearly the entire conference season, but the Wildcats are hearing footsteps. Dayton and VCU are close behind on a hot streak. Saint Louis and St. Bonaventure are still in the hunt after rebounding from prior losses. Even Richmond and George Mason are still in it.

The regular season title is important. Not to be forgotten is the battle for one of the top seeds with the corresponding double bye in the Atlantic 10 tournament. It all adds up to some exciting scenarios to be played out prior to everyone meeting in Washington in March.

Efficiency and Records

1) Dayton (+18, 10-3)

2) Saint Louis (+14, 9-4)

3) Davidson (+7, 11-2)

4) St. Bonaventure (+7, 8-4)

5) VCU (+6, 10-3)

6) Richmond (+4, 8-5)

7) George Mason (+1, 6-5)

8) Rhode Island (-2, 4-8)

9) Saint Joseph’s (-3, 4-9)

10) George Washington (-7, 6-6)

11) Fordham (-7, 4-8)

12) UMass (-8, 4-8)

13) La Salle (-11, 2-11)

14) Duquesne (-18, 1-11)

Tough times in Amherst: UMass got off to a rough start, dropping its first four conference games. To date, the Minutemen have been unable to post back-to-back victories in A-10 play. Matt McCall’s group pushes the pace with the fastest tempo in the conference, with an average possession length of 17 seconds, the fastest in the conference. It all adds up to an offense predicated on shooting fast and often from three. Individually, Rich Kelly (12.8 ppg) and Trent Buttrick (11.7) are the most active among several perimeter threats. The two have exactly 109 attempts each, adding up to 36 percent of the Minutemen’s long-range shots.

UMass’ efficiency is 103 on offense (7th in A-10), while the defense is at the bottom of the conference with a 111 mark. The following numbers reveal more about UMass’ shot selection and defense:

3-point field goal percentage: 37% offense (4th in A-10)

35% defense (6th in A-10)

2-point field goal percentage: 42% offense (last in A-10)

57% defense (last in A-10)

Point distribution:

3-point field goals: 39% for (first in A-10)

31% against (9th in A-10)

2-point field goals: 40% for (last in A-10)

56% against (4th in A-10)

It all adds up to an offense reliant on the 3-pointer. On the other side is the concern over a defense having difficulty stopping opponents closer to the basket.

The 3-pointer, though, can keep you in and win games. Attempting too many can possibly shoot you out of a game and the win column.

Offensive Efficiency Leaders:

Davidson 113 

Saint Louis 111 

St. Bonaventure 109 

George Mason and Dayton 107

Defensive Efficiency Leaders:

Dayton 89

VCU 94

Rhode Island 96 

Saint Louis 97

Fordham 98

There is a simple formula behind Dayton’s defensive success, the ability to limit opponents into low shooting and offensive rebounding percentages. The two categories noted are very closely related. Not allowing many second shots on defense affords the opposition less of an opportunity to extend possessions. Offensive rebounds also may mean a second shot from a high field goal percentage area. Again, eliminating those opposing offensive rebounds gives your opponent less chances at a higher-percentage shot.

Tempo:

Fastest: UMass (70 possessions per game)

Saint Joseph's and George Washington 69 

Rhode Island and Saint Louis 68

Deliberate:

Dayton 63 possessions per game

St. Bonaventure, Davidson and George Mason 65 Duquesne 66

There are two groups. Several teams are right at the 70-possession threshold, a decidedly uptempo pace. On the other side, there is a group content with a slower tempo. The difference between UMass’ 70 possessions and St. Bonaventure’s 63 is seven in number, but significant in terms of game pace.

Experience may not be necessary: Dayton and Saint Louis are serious contenders for A-10 honors. Both have relatively young squads that instantly began making their mark. The following is the list of A-10 teams ranked in KenPom’s national list of 358 teams in order of experience:

St. Bonaventure 10

Richmond 19

George Mason 92

UMass 109

Fordham 146

Davidson 178

George Washington 186

La Salle 216

Saint Joseph’s 222 

VCU 234 

Rhode Island 272 

Saint Louis 345 

Duquesne 353 

Dayton 358

While offensive rebound percentage was cited in discussing Dayton’s defense, it’s appropriate to list the team leaders in that category on both offense and defense. Individual leaders are also included.

Saint Louis 33 percent

Dayton 31

St. Bonaventure and La Salle 30

Duquesne 28

Individual Leaders:

1) Francis Okoro, Saint Louis 13.6

2) Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure 11.9

3) Chuba Ohams, Fordham 10.8

4) Christian Ray, La Salle 10.1

5) Ejike Obinna, Saint Joseph’s 9.9

6) Davonte Gaines, George Mason 9.3

7) Toumani Camara, Dayton 9.3

8) Hason Ward, VCU 9.3

Looking at the list, one can see why some teams are among the leaders. La Salle was a surprise until you see the numbers of Christian Ray. Interestingly, Duquesne is in the top five with no one in the leading eight among the individuals. The Duquesne leader is Toby Okani with a percentage of 8.5, good for a 12th-place tie with Davidson’s Luka Brajkovic.

Opposing Offensive Rebound Percentage:

Davidson 22 

Dayton and George Mason 23

Saint Joseph’s 24 

La Salle and Saint Louis 26

Quick Hitters:

James Bishop of George Washington is averaging 17.7 points per game, good for second in the A-10. The junior guard utilizes 28 percent of the possessions while attempting 31 percent of the team’s shots. Both figures lead the Colonials.

A major reason for Duquesne’s struggle is on the offensive end. Keith Dambrot’s Dukes are at the bottom of the conference with a 91 offensive efficiency. A silver lining is ranking fifth nationally in fouls committed at just 13.4 per outing.

George Mason’s Josh Oduro leads the A-10 in scoring. While the 6’9” Oduro affords Kim English an inside presence, the Patriots are second in the A-10 (19th nationally) with nine 3-point field goals made per game.

Saint Joseph’s is proving the old axiom of it being hard to get to the line when you live on the perimeter. The Hawks are scoring 39 percent of their points from long distance, but only 14 percent from the charity stripe.

In St.Bonaventure’s 83-71 victory over UMass on Wednesday, Kyle Lofton, the Bonnies’ senior point guard, set a school record with 17 assists.

Saint Louis also romped over La Salle, 90-64, on Wednesday. In that contest, Travis Ford’s Billikens found their range inside and beyond the arc. They shot 65 percent from 2-point range and were 63 percent (10-of-16) dialing long distance. Saint Louis posted a white-hot 73 percent effective field goal percentage on the night.

Upcoming Schedule:

February 18: Richmond at VCU

February 19: La Salle at UMass 

Dayton at Saint Joseph’s

Saint Louis at Davidson

Duquesne at St. Bonaventure 

Rhode Island at George Washington

February 20: George Mason at Fordham

February 22: Richmond at George Washington 

Rhode Island at St. Bonaventure

Saint Joseph’s at Saint Louis

February 23: George Mason at VCU 

UMass at Dayton

Davidson at Duquesne

La Salle at Fordham

All-KenPom

Josh Oduro, George Mason 

Luka Brajkovic, Davidson 

Yuri Collins, Saint Louis 

Grant Golden, Richmond 

Vince Williams, VCU

A-10 Aggregate Numbers:

Efficiency: 102

Tempo: 67 possessions per game

Effective field goal percentage: 50

Turnover percentage: 18

Offensive rebound percentage: 28

Home court winning percentage: 55

Close game percentage: 24 

Blowout percentage: 15

As the season has progressed, the homecourt advantage is increasing and the number of blowouts decreasing. With postponements seemingly over, teams are settling into a rhythm, and as we progress, games take on greater meaning as places in the standings are up for grabs.