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Message: [QUOTE="Phil, post: 2488845, member: 66"] If you paid attention to the NCAA team stats over the years, it is not unusual for UConn to be leading or near the top in a ridiculous number of categories. That wasn't the case in the first few weeks this year, but that's not because the UConn team isn't up to their lofty standards, it has been because the schedule has been so tough. While Stanford doesn't look quite so strong now as when we were about to play them, it still the case that the first five opponents are all ranked in the top 35 (Massey). The Nevada team was the first, and until next week the only triple digit ranked opponent followed by two more top 35 teams with Notre Dame and Depaul. I vaguely considered how one might calculate adjusted stats to reflect the opponents strength but I haven't done that yet so until then, the raw stats produced by NCAA are the only way to go. UConn often as near the top of points scored and points allowed and of course, when leading those two stats, points margin. It's a little tougher to maintain those positions when you're playing the teams on top of the heap while many of those teams have a generous helping of cupcakes. Even though the UConn schedule hasn't exactly reach cupcake level with Oklahoma ranked 51 and Duquesne ranked 61, UConn's been improving in their aggregate stats. UConn has climbed to third in points per game, averaging 89 per game within striking distance of Baylor at 92. UConn is not among the leaders in scoring defense yet but that will change when they get into the conference schedule. It moved up to fifth place and scoring margin at almost 29 points a game, while Baylor, with six triple digit opponents is leading the category at almost 39 points per game. UConn is hitting the shots, leading the nation at 52.5% field goal accuracy. UConn's field-goal defense is relatively low in 34th place, holding opponents to 35% per game but again I expect that to climb soon. Historically, UConn has been a so-so free-throw shooter. They picked that up in recent years, often in the top 10 but they regressed this year; players who can't seem to miss from beyond the arc throw up bricks at the foul line. UConn's three point accuracy is fifth in the nation at 42%, while individually, Kia Nurse is leading the nation at 55%. UConn is typically at or near the top in the assist to turnover ratio. Despite the tough schedule, they are still sixth in the nation. Watch that climb. UConn typically is stellar in the team stats and often doesn't have many players topping individual categories partly because they play as a team and share the ball so much. That sharing hurts aggregate totals but doesn't hurt percentages and as mentioned Kia Nurse is currently atop the leaderboard hitting 55.8% of her three point field-goals. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach