The college basketball season is heating up as teams draw closer and closer to the selection show in March. This year the stakes seem bigger than ever with high-performance Power Five conference play and ultra-competitive rivalry games; the tournament remains open. Junior Bobby Kelly commented on the season saying, “I thought Texas was the best team in college basketball. Next thing I know they go down to 15th in the SEC and now might not make the tournament.” The college basketball season has been nothing short of chaotic, however, some teams have stuck out from others with their gameplay and statistics that could play key roles come tournament time.
Ohio State
After their #2 vs #15 upset to Oral Roberts in the 2021 tournament Ohio State has remained quiet in recent years. Also, with the influx of Big 10 talent combined with Ohio State’s 2-3 conference record, it is clear why some people have written them off as a potential threat this year. Despite all the doubts Ohio State remains in the coveted “Trapezoid of Excellence.” At its most basic form, the Trapezoid of Excellence is a graph of two stats: adjusted net rating on the y-axis and pace of play on the x-axis. At the very top of the graph, there is a large trapezoid that encases the teams with the highest net rating and most optimal pace of play. The trapezoid has proved its “excellence” by predicting all the high-performing teams in every March Madness tournament. If a team is in the trapezoid, they will perform come playoffs. Ohio State has been a consistent member of the Trapezoid of Excellence all season and while they have slipped in and out recently, the stats show they are one of the most optimal teams in college basketball. Lifelong Ohio State fan Ben Brazis says, “The boys (Ohio State) are underrated this year, and they have the best player in college basketball.” Ben is referring to Bruce Thorton, the junior guard who has been lighting it up for the Buckeyes all season posting 17 points on highly efficient shooting. With statistics and Thorton on their side, people may want to keep a close eye on Ohio State.
St. John’s
The St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team is a blast from the past. They captured 11 Big East titles in the ’80s-’90s and received a National Championship trophy in 1996. However, since their reign of terror, the Red Storm has dried out in the past years, with few tournament appearances. Today though the Storm is back to reigning terror on enemy teams, leading St. John’s to a 14-3 record and putting them at second in the Big East. While St. John’s tends to play a little fast, like Ohio State they are also a member of the Trapezoid of Excellence. Led by juniors R.J. Lewis and Zuby Ejiofor or the Red Storm’s defense has been rock-solid so far this year. According to statistics they are also one of the unluckiest teams in college basketball, so their absence in the AP Poll is not too worrying for a Big East team. St. John’s 3 out 2 in ball screen offense has proven itself worthy repeatedly and may just bust some brackets this March.
