Sports and Numbers

Kansas has now completed its two exhibition games.  Here is the cumulative box score for the two games:

Here are the "Total Impact" ratings adjusted for quality of opponent, weighing recent games more.  Ratings shown for offense (ePSAN-O), defense (ePSAN-D, lower is better) and composite (ePSAN-Comp):

Here are the "Efficiency" ratings, which are basically the ePSAN ratings expressed as "per 70 possessions":

Analysis

It shouldn't surprise anyone to see Aldrich and Collins atop both of these lists.  It may be somewhat unexpected to see Aldrich ahead of Collins, but it's usually the case against lower divisions that their big men simply aren't as big as guys like Aldrich.

Of the newcomers, Quintrell Thomas has led the pack, with Marcus Morris slightly behind.  Neither of the two has been particularly efficient.  Of note, both of the Morris twins have better efficiency ratings on defense than they do on offense.

Of the player with significant discrepancies in their offensive and defensive contributions, the one that stands out most is Sherron Collins.  He has been an offensive juggernaut but actually had a net negative (i.e., positive PSAN score) on defense.  In contrast, Aldrich has had nearly identical effects on the team on offense and defense.  Tyrel Reed is another player similar to Collins, although the gap is not nearly as wide for him.  Brady Morninstar essentially cancels his offensive contributions out with his defensive shortcomings.  As fast as Tyshawn Taylor has shown himself to be, the numbers still don't show him in an impressive light.

In the exhibition season, the Jayhawks offense has been led by Collins, Reed, Aldrich and Thomas.  KU's defensive effectiveness was anchored by Aldrich, Marcus Morris, Quintrell Thomas and Markieff Morris.  Notice that all the big guys this season.  Only the freshman, Thomas, is in the Top 4 on both sides of the ball.