Paint-by-numbers look at Big 12 basketball

By Staff Dec 28, 2016

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) gets airborne for a lobbed pass at the bucket during the first half of the CBE Classic on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 at Sprint Center.

Liars figure and figures lie, but sometimes it is fun to look at objective numbers and see where teams stack against each other.

[Kenpom.com][1] is among the best websites for such comparisons.

The site’s numbers confirm that during non-conference play, Big 12 teams easily fell into three tiers: We’ll call them excellent, good and not so hot.

The three “excellent” teams rank from 6 through 9, the “good teams” are bunched from 27 through 37, and the “not so hot” shots. The five teams ranked in the “good” category were bunched in Kenpom.com’s national rankings from 27 to 37.

The site ranks Div. I schools in several statistical categories, including points per 100 possessions, offensively and defensively, adjusted based on strength of schedule.

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) tries to fight through a trap from West Virginia guard Jevon Carter (2) and forward Nathan Adrian (11) during the first half, Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

A look at the 10 Big 12 schools in order of their ranking by kenpom.com and other stats from the site, with record and predicted finish in preseason poll of Big 12 coaches in parentheses, and national ranking in parentheses for the stats:

***EXCELLENT***

**1 — KANSAS** (11-1, first)

National ranking: 6.
Offensive efficiency: 118.2 (6).
Defensive efficiency: 90.5 (6).
3-point percentage: 41.3 (10).
2-point percentage: 57.0 (14).
Free throw percentage: 59.2 (347).
3-point pct. defense: 35.1 (188).
2-point pct. defense: 40.5 (15).

**2 — WEST VIRGINIA** (11-1, second)

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) slams into Baylor forward Johnathan Motley (5) during the first half, Friday, March 11, 2016 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

National ranking: 7.
Offensive efficiency: 115.4 (14).
Defensive efficiency: 89.3 (4).
3-point percentage: 36.9 (94).
2-point percentage: 53.9 (45).
Free throw percentage: 64.4 (291).
3-point pct. defense: 30.3 (42).
2-point pct. defense: 43.9 (56).
Offensive turnover pct.: 13.9 (3).
Defensive turnover pct.: 35.0 (1).

**3 — BAYLOR** (12-0, fifth)

National ranking: 9.
Offensive efficiency: 115.8 (13).
Defensive efficiency: 91.6 (17).
3-point percentage: 36.3 (117).
2-point percentage: 56.3 (17).
Free throw percentage: 73.0 (87).
3-point pct. defense: 28.1 (8).
2-point pct. defense: 42.5 (33).
Offensive turnover pct.: 17.6 (86).
Defensive turnover pct.: 19.8 (136).

**GOOD**

**4 — TEXAS TECH** (11-1, tied for seventh)

Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr. (1) has a dunk attempt stuffed by Texas Tech forward Justin Gray (5) during the first half, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

National ranking: 27.
Offensive efficiency: 112.6 (26).
Defensive efficiency: 94.5 (41).
3-point percentage: 39.9 (27).
2-point percentage: 57.7 (11).
Free throw percentage: 74.6 (46).
3-point pct. defense: 34.9 (182).
2-point pct. defense: 43.3 (44).
Offensive turnover pct.: 15.7 (24).
Defensive turnover pct.: 21.9 (46).

**5 — IOWA STATE** (8-3, fourth)

National ranking: 30.
Offensive efficiency: 110.1 (46).
Defensive efficiency: 92.9 (24).
3-point percentage: 36.7 (105).
2-point percentage: 51.4 (93).
Free throw percentage: 63.5 (310).
3-point pct. defense: 32.5 (93).
2-point pct. defense: 39.0 (4).
Offensive turnover pct.: 13.9 (4).
Defensive turnover pct.: 20.4 (101).

**6 — KANSAS STATE** (11-1, ninth)

National ranking: 31.
Offensive efficiency: 110.6 (42).
Defensive efficiency: 93.7 (30).
3-point percentage: 38.8 (48).
2-point percentage: 54.8 (36).
Free throw percentage: 65.6 (275).
3-point pct. defense: 33.8 (131).
2-point pct. defense: 38.9 (3).
Offensive turnover pct.: 19.1 (175).
Defensive turnover pct.: 23.6 (15).

Kansas guard Devonte' Graham (4) loses a ball to Iowa State guard Deonte Burton (30) during the first half, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. At right is Iowa State guard Matt Thomas (21).

**7 — OKLAHOMA STATE** (10-2, tied for seventh)

National ranking: 33.
Offensive efficiency: 114.4 (18).
Defensive efficiency: 97.8 (78).
3-point percentage: 39.2 (44).
2-point percentage: 50.5 (121).
Free throw percentage: 75.5 (31).
3-point pct. defense: 35.2 (194).
2-point pct. defense: 48.5 (166).
Offensive turnover pct.: 18.8 (148).
Defensive turnover pct.: 26.1 (3).

**8 — TCU** (11-1, 10th)

National ranking: 37.
Offensive efficiency: 109.0 (60).
Defensive efficiency: 93.9 (32).
3-point percentage: 36.9 (92).
2-point percentage: 52.2 (74).
Free throw percentage: 67.5 (229).
3-point pct. defense: 35.6 (211).
2-point pct. defense: 43.7 (51).
Offensive turnover pct.: 17.5 (81).
Defensive turnover pct.: 23.4 (19).

**NOT SO HOT**

Kansas forward Landen Lucas (33) battles for position with Kansas State forward D.J. Johnson (4) during the first half, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan.

**9 — OKLAHOMA** (6-5, sixth)

National ranking: 54.
Offensive efficiency: 108.0 (68).
Defensive efficiency: 96.1 (60).
3-point percentage: 40.1 (20).
2-point percentage: 47.3 (219).
Free throw percentage: 70.8 (139).
3-point pct. defense: 36.0 (224).
2-point pct. defense: 45.2 (78).
Offensive turnover pct.: 19.0 (158).
Defensive turnover pct.: 20.7 (85).

**10 — TEXAS** (6-5, third)

National ranking: 69.
Offensive efficiency: 105.7 (100).
Defensive efficiency: 95.9 (57).
3-point percentage: 30.3 (309).
2-point percentage: 51.4 (94).
Free throw percentage: 67.2 (239).
3-point pct. defense: 30.3 (45).
2-point pct. defense: 45.4 (81).
Offensive turnover pct.: 17.3 (72).
Defensive turnover pct.: 18.5 (215).

**Source:** Kenpom.com

Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans (1) looks past Oklahoma guard Dinjiyl Walker (2) Wednesday, Jan. 13 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Since an injury to senior Phil Forte III, freshman Evans has become the Cowboys’ leading scorer.

[1]: http://kenpom.com/

TCU's Vladimir Brodziansky (10) of Slovakia goes up for a shot as Baylor's Johnathan Motley (5) defends during an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham (4) and Oklahoma guard Jordan Woodard (10) race to a loose ball in the Jayhawks 75-73 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday in Norman.

Texas guard Kerwin Roach Jr. (12) drives inside and shoots over TCU forward Devonta Abron (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)