Big East Tournament Stats Review: Strong performances, mixed results

Plus, a look at UConn's NCAA Tournament projections.

Editor’s Note: This is our first attempt at a performance breakdown and statistical review article. It went out to premium subscribers on Sunday, before the Selection Show, and has been updated to reflect new projections for the NCAA Tournament.

UConn’s Big East Tournament wrapped up with one win and one loss, giving the Huskies a 25-8 record heading into their NCAA Tournament game against 13-seed Iona.

They're ranked 4th in KenPom, 7th on offense and 18th in defense. The site projects a 77-68 win for UConn in the first round in Albany, with an 80% chance of winning.

Before the tournament, TeamRankings.com projected a 4-seed as their most likely landing spot and a 57% chance of making the Sweet 16. That figure has gone down to 50% after their placement in the West Region.

KenPom feels around the same, forecasting a 51% chance of making the Sweet 16, 31% for the Elite Eight, and 16% for Final Four.

UConn gets 4-seed, matchup against No. 13 Iona in West Region

Big East Tournament Performance Breakdown

In terms of efficiency, Husky fans may be surprised to find out that UConn’s offensive and defensive performances were better in the Marquette game than the Providence game.

Even though the PC game was starting to look like an AAC-era women’s basketball matchup, with UConn up by as much as 26, the offense was slightly better in the Marquette game. The Huskies had fewer turnovers, performed better on the offensive rebounds, and did a much better job of getting to the free-throw line. The only issue in that game was a slightly below-standard shooting performance.

Compared to their full-season numbers, Dan Hurley’s squad turned in two above-average performances at Madison Square Garden, particularly offensively. They have a lot going for them heading into the NCAA tournament.

The Fast Break is getting better!

More Playing Time for Clingan?

Marquette site Paint Touches pointed out that Adama Sanogo may have some defensive liabilities. It may be time to play Donovan Clingan more, either alongside Sanogo or with some of his minutes.

Paint Touches @PaintTouches

UConn gave up a season high 16 points off of only 7 P&R man possessions (which means the screener took the shot directly after) to #mubb last night. 6/7 shooting may seem an outlier, but there were 2 dunks and 5 unguarded 3s. And Sanogo was on the floor for all 7 shots.

The possibility of getting a little bit more out of Clingan, whose per-minute numbers are tantalizingly good, gives this Husky team some upside going into the NCAA Tournament. Hurley uses nine players but that rotation may need to be tightened in a few ways once elimination play starts.

Paint Touches @PaintTouches

I don't watch UConn as religiously as Marquette, but the fact Clingan only got 10 minutes is a direct indictment of Hurley's coaching. It's not that Sanogo was bad (though his line looks much different if they called travels) but their D is so much worse with him out there.