Tempo Free Stats by Ray Floriani of www.collegechalktalk.com

LYNDHURST, NJ - Tempo free statistics can get involved but the
basics , which enhance our understanding and appreciation of the
game, are as simple as the name. Tempo free statistic- a metric that
is derived without regard to game pace. Case in point.
Team A gives up 75 points per game. Team B surrenders 55
an outing. The assumption on the surface is team A plays ’matador
defense’ and is only interested in getting the ball back, even it
means grabbing it out of their own net. Team B in the mind’s eye is
a team well versed in defensive principles, the type offenses
dread when they line up against this club.

Taking it further if we know team A averages 85 possessions
per game, we realize they love a ’NASCA R’ paced contest. Team
B may average 50 possessions which suggests a much more
pedestrian and deliberate style. But look at the numbers for a
minute.

Dividing points by possession we get points per possession.
This figure is a much more reliable number to get a read on as
team. There are various ways to play the game but no matter the
game plan and/or pace, points per possession gives us a read on a
club’s offensive and defensive efficiency. Team A , with their 75
points allowed per game divided by .88 possessions per contest
gives up .85 points per possession, an outstanding figure. On the
other hand, computing team B’s numbers we see they generously
allow 1.10 points per possession. A figure which all but
guarantees second division status in their conference.

It is assumed that 1.00 is the cutoff for points per possession.
That figure or greater is the offensive objective. On the defensive
end, teams strive to keep opponents under that mark.

Possessions are easy to track in the college and pro games as
post game statistical sheets are detailed and thorough. . On the high
school level, they would be recorded long hand as it is rare to find
a high school producing a detailed final stat sheet.

For the sake of understanding, a possession begins when a
team secures the ball and ends when it is given up. Shooting and
getting one’s own offensive rebound extends the possession, it
doesn’t start a new one.

The Tempo Free stats just noted are the tip of the iceberg. On
the college level a number of staffs have assistants record
possessions and break them down for more intense study. For
instance what was our opponents offensive PPP against our zone as
opposed to times we went man ?

On the high school level this is still relatively unchartered
area. The preps however could greatly benefit from tempo free
studies. Players could appreciate better the value of a possession.
Also, a team eliminated from its conference race or a shot at a state
tournament bid can close out the season by trying to better their
average offensive/defensive efficiency. For the high school coach
there is a host of ways to utilize tempo free stats. As noted they
would be a great teaching tool and they are relatively easy to
compute. You do not need a math degree , just a calculus.
There are a number of other tempo free stats and some can
get very involved. The game pace (total possessions) and
efficiencies are the starting point. They are utilized and studied at
all levels, even by more and more NBA front office personnel. It
stands to reason adopting them in high school would be of utmost
benefit to both players and coaches.

Ray Floriani has been writing on college basketball over 30
years. Some of the sites he writes for include
Basketballtimes.com, Collegechalktalk.com, Villanova by the
Numbers and CollegeInsider.com. He was selected 1999 Media
Man of the Year by the NIT

http://collegechalktalk.com/

Source: http://mensbasketballhoopscoop.blogspot.com/2010/08/tempo-free-stats-by-ray-floriani-of.html