There were 7 teams that shot better than 50% on 3-pointers in the first round and first four. All were between 16 and 24 attempts.
All 7 won their games.
Double digit seeds St. Peter's (15), New Mexico St. (12), and Notre Dame (11) all won on the backs of hot shooting.
New Mexico St. shot the best percentage of all 68 teams at 64.7%. They were the 3rd lowest after the Texas schools in season 3pt% coming in..
Research has shown that outside of a few outliers (mostly zone teams like Syracuse), teams have more control over volume of 3-point shots as opposed to accuracy of opposing 3-pointers. (“3-point defense” should not be defined by opponents’ 3P% | The kenpom.com blog, Offense vs. Defense: 3-point percentage | The kenpom.com blog, One last post on 3P% defense | The kenpom.com blog)
Tennessee - Won by 30+ (14/24). Season avg - 36.5%
NMSU - Won as 12 seed (11/17) - 33.8%
St Peter's - Won as 15 seed (9/17) - 35.4%
Texas Tech - Won by 30+ (12/20) - 32.3%
Texas - Won by 8 despite opponent going 23/26 from FT (10/19) - 32.9%
Notre Dame - Won as 11 seed (10/16) - 38.1%
Arizona - Won by 17 points despite 19 turnovers (11/20) - 35.9%
All 7 won their games.
Double digit seeds St. Peter's (15), New Mexico St. (12), and Notre Dame (11) all won on the backs of hot shooting.
New Mexico St. shot the best percentage of all 68 teams at 64.7%. They were the 3rd lowest after the Texas schools in season 3pt% coming in..
Research has shown that outside of a few outliers (mostly zone teams like Syracuse), teams have more control over volume of 3-point shots as opposed to accuracy of opposing 3-pointers. (“3-point defense” should not be defined by opponents’ 3P% | The kenpom.com blog, Offense vs. Defense: 3-point percentage | The kenpom.com blog, One last post on 3P% defense | The kenpom.com blog)
Tennessee - Won by 30+ (14/24). Season avg - 36.5%
NMSU - Won as 12 seed (11/17) - 33.8%
St Peter's - Won as 15 seed (9/17) - 35.4%
Texas Tech - Won by 30+ (12/20) - 32.3%
Texas - Won by 8 despite opponent going 23/26 from FT (10/19) - 32.9%
Notre Dame - Won as 11 seed (10/16) - 38.1%
Arizona - Won by 17 points despite 19 turnovers (11/20) - 35.9%