University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: For Houston Athletics
Guest Column: Statistically Speaking
3/17/2022 5:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Well-rounded Cougars set for NCAA Tournament
By: Logan Farlow, Houston Athletics Communications Intern
HOUSTON – After a decisive 71-53 win over Memphis on Sunday in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, Houston Men's Basketball was awarded a five seed in the NCAA Tournament South region following a Final Four run a season ago.
Statistically speaking, based on a historical breakdown of previous national champions, this 2021-22 Houston squad might even go further.
Since 2002, Ken Pomeroy has recorded advanced statistics for college basketball on his site KenPom.com. The page has become immensely popular, including being utilized by the NCAA selection committee when deciding NCAA Tournament seeding.
KenPom uses data to measure teams based on offense and defensive efficiency.
The previous 19 national champions tracked by KenPom have each been ranked within the top 40 for adjusted offensive efficiency and top 25 in adjusted defensive efficiency. In 2022, that gives us a list of nine possible national title contenders: Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Gonzaga, Houston, Tennessee, Texas and UCLA.
Sixteen of the last 19 national champions have held their opponents under an effective field goal percentage of 47. Applying that criterion to our previous list, we can eliminate Arkansas (47.5%), Baylor (47.8%) and UCLA (47.7%).
Seventeen of the 19 previous national champions have also had an offensive rebound percentage above 30. Houston, one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation, makes the cut, but No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga falls just under the mark at 29%.
With just five teams remaining we reach our last statistical confine. Eighteen of the previous 19 champions registered offensive field goal percentages above 50.5%. This eliminates Auburn (50.4), Tennessee (50.3) and Texas (50.0).
That leaves us down to two teams: Arizona and Houston. The Wildcats and Cougars would likely have to beat one another in the Sweet 16 to become national champion.
However, since the NCAA tournament began in 1939, never has a first-year head coach won the national title. That fact is important because Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd is currently serving in his first year as a head coach.
There you have it. History deems the Houston Cougars are your 2022 National Champions.
NCAA TOURNAMENT WATCH PARTY
Houston Men's Basketball fans are invited to cheer on the No. 5 seed Cougars as Houston First Corp. will host official UH watch parties at Avenida Houston throughout the NCAA Tournament. Houston begins its tournament run at 8:20 p.m. CT Friday against No. 12 seed UAB.
Attendees must register for the free watch party tickets by visiting www.uhcougars.com/tickets. Doors will open 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
The event, emceed by KHOU, will feature a 24-foot viewing screen, music, beverages, games, prizes as well as appearances from the UH Spirit team.
2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
HOUSTON – After a decisive 71-53 win over Memphis on Sunday in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, Houston Men's Basketball was awarded a five seed in the NCAA Tournament South region following a Final Four run a season ago.
Statistically speaking, based on a historical breakdown of previous national champions, this 2021-22 Houston squad might even go further.
Since 2002, Ken Pomeroy has recorded advanced statistics for college basketball on his site KenPom.com. The page has become immensely popular, including being utilized by the NCAA selection committee when deciding NCAA Tournament seeding.
KenPom uses data to measure teams based on offense and defensive efficiency.
The previous 19 national champions tracked by KenPom have each been ranked within the top 40 for adjusted offensive efficiency and top 25 in adjusted defensive efficiency. In 2022, that gives us a list of nine possible national title contenders: Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Gonzaga, Houston, Tennessee, Texas and UCLA.
Sixteen of the last 19 national champions have held their opponents under an effective field goal percentage of 47. Applying that criterion to our previous list, we can eliminate Arkansas (47.5%), Baylor (47.8%) and UCLA (47.7%).
Seventeen of the 19 previous national champions have also had an offensive rebound percentage above 30. Houston, one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation, makes the cut, but No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga falls just under the mark at 29%.
With just five teams remaining we reach our last statistical confine. Eighteen of the previous 19 champions registered offensive field goal percentages above 50.5%. This eliminates Auburn (50.4), Tennessee (50.3) and Texas (50.0).
That leaves us down to two teams: Arizona and Houston. The Wildcats and Cougars would likely have to beat one another in the Sweet 16 to become national champion.
However, since the NCAA tournament began in 1939, never has a first-year head coach won the national title. That fact is important because Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd is currently serving in his first year as a head coach.
There you have it. History deems the Houston Cougars are your 2022 National Champions.
NCAA TOURNAMENT WATCH PARTY
Houston Men's Basketball fans are invited to cheer on the No. 5 seed Cougars as Houston First Corp. will host official UH watch parties at Avenida Houston throughout the NCAA Tournament. Houston begins its tournament run at 8:20 p.m. CT Friday against No. 12 seed UAB.
Attendees must register for the free watch party tickets by visiting www.uhcougars.com/tickets. Doors will open 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
The event, emceed by KHOU, will feature a 24-foot viewing screen, music, beverages, games, prizes as well as appearances from the UH Spirit team.
2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
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