All season we have provided you updates on where the Flames stand in the national rankings. Now it’s the Big Dance, and while the rankings may not matter as much once you are in the tournament, we will use rankings and ratings as tools to compare the Flames to their first-round matchup in Oregon.
NET RANKING
Oregon: 29, Liberty: 60
The Ducks are ranked 29th in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET). Oregon is 8-7 against Quad 1 opponents, 8-2 against Quad 2 opponents, 5-0 against Quad 3 teams, and 3-0 against Quad 4 schools. Liberty, on the other hand, is 0-0 against Quad 1 teams, 3-2 against Quad 2 opponents, 14-4 against Quad 3 schools, and have an 8-0 mark against Quad 4 opponents.
KENPOM
Oregon: 31, Liberty: 62
The Ducks are ranked just outside the top 30 of the KenPom Ratings while the Flames are knocking on the door of the top 60. Oregon’s strength of schedule rating is +14.15, ranking 19th nationally, while Liberty’s is 0.41, ranking 141st nationally. The Flames have an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 112.4 and an adjusted defensive efficiency rating of 98.9 (both out of 100 possessions). The Ducks’ offensive rating is 116.6, while their defensive rating is 96.5.
College Basketball Power Index
Oregon: 36, Liberty: 85
The BPI is determined by two main factors: SOR (strength of record) and SOS (strength of schedule). The Flames have an SOS of 193 but a SOR of 63. Oregon owns a SOS of 12 and a SOR of 21.
STYLE OF PLAY
This is not a “ranking,” but involves statistics that prove to be interesting as these two teams square off. Not completely opposite styles of play, but Oregon certainly has a quicker tempo normally than Liberty. The Ducks rank 151st in the country with an adjusted tempo of 67.6 while Liberty ranks 285th with an adjusted tempo rating of 65.3. Liberty’s average offensive possession is 18.6 seconds which is 290th in the country. Oregon’s average possession length is 17.1 seconds which is 99th in the country.
The Flames are #6 in the nation when it comes to field goal percentage (49.42%). These high percentage shots result in a respectable 76.6 ppg. The Flames also use strong defense to get stops and make up for a lower number of possessions. Liberty is ranked #10 in the nation in scoring defense, only allowing 62.9 ppg.
Oregon actually rates behind Liberty in scoring at 76.2 points per game. The Ducks take good looks as well, as they own a very respectable 45.68 field goal percentage. On defense, the Ducks are allowing 70.9 ppg which is 147th in the nation.
TURNOVER MARGIN
This statistic could very well play a major factor in determining the winner of Friday’s contest. The Flames do an excellent job of limiting turnovers. The Flames average 10.1 (#36 in the country) turnovers per game while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.7, which is good for 6th in the country. The Ducks are also very strong in protecting the ball. Oregon averages 11.3 turnovers a game (#133 in the nation) and owns an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.3 (#101 in the nation).
The #12 Flames will face #5 Oregon in the East Regional First round on Friday, March 21st, 202t. The game will tip-off at 10:10 ET and will be televised on TruTV.
