Plus/minus analysis for analytics-friendly Penn basketball

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Utilizing the box score and play-by-play from Penn’s matchups with Robert Morris and Central Connecticut State, this post uses unofficial plus-minus numbers for the Quakers in their first two games this season, both wins at home. Keep in mind that these numbers are a short sample size and do not yet include Penn’s win at Delaware State Tuesday.

Steve Donahue has made much of the fact that he is an analytics-friendly coach, emphasizing to his players that they seek high-percentage shots in the paint first and foremost before subsequently trying for three-pointers if they cannot get off layups. He has also said that he likes to go 10 deep in the first half, using as much of his bench as he can.

That means a lot of lineups for a coach who relies on a lot of analytics, which merits some further analysis of our own. We already established that Penn’s worst lineup against Central Connecticut State was also its most used lineup, as the starting lineup of Jake Silpe-Antonio Woods-Matt Howard-Sam Jones-Darien Nelson-Henry posted a -11 rating in 11:49 together on the court. Donahue used 19 different lineup combinations with 14 different players in that game.

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Instant analysis: Kansas State outlasts Columbia, 81-71

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Playing in its first game against a Division I opponent, Columbia (1-1) hung around for a while against Kansas State (2-0), but faded down the stretch and fell, 81-71.

On one hand, the Lions did a good job handling the environment inherent to playing a Power Five conference team on the road. Their half-court offense generated a solid number of in-close looks. On the other end of the floor, Kyle Smith switched things up a bit midway through the game, installing a 1-3-1 zone that the Wildcats really struggled to overcome.

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Crunching the numbers: Penn-CCSU plus/minus

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Utilizing the box score and play-by-play from Penn’s matchup with Central Connecticut State, this post uses unofficial plus-minus numbers for the Quakers in their 77-61 win. Keep in mind that these numbers are a very short sample size.

While Sam Jones put on a show against Central Connecticut State by going 5-for-9 from three-point range http://wp.me/p5jSrX-1QV, he wasn’t the only Penn player to post strong plus-minus numbers. Of the 10 players to get three minutes or more of playing time, seven posted positive plus-minus numbers, including a game-high +23 from Darnell Foreman.

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Sam Jones on fire for Penn basketball

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PHILADELPHIA – Early in the second half, Penn basketball had yet to hit its stride against Central Connecticut State, tied at 36. Where was the three-point barrage that had just two days earlier taken Robert Morris by storm? Was this sluggish offense reality setting in?

But then Sam Jones hit a three. And then another. AND THEN ANOTHER.

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Can Princeton still contend for 2015-16 Ivy title without Hans Brase?

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Princeton prepared for this season secure in the knowledge that, for once, its best player was returning for another campaign in the orange and black. But, with the announcement that senior big man Hans Brase is out for the year with a torn ACL, the five-year trend continues. Tiger fans are relieved to learn that Hans will spend a fifth year in Jadwin in the 2016-17 season. The Tigers will present a senior-laden quintet next year, as Brase will be joined by Pete Miller, Steven Cook and Spencer Weisz.

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Princeton senior forward Hans Brase out for 2015-16 season with torn ACL

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Hans Brase posted five double-doubles for the Tigers last season.
Hans Brase posted five double-doubles for the Tigers last season. (Princeton Athletics)

Princeton Athletics announced Saturday night that senior forward and co-captain Hans Brase will miss the 2015-16 season with a torn ACL and return for his senior season in 2016-17.

This is a huge blow for the Tigers, as Brase was the team’s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder in each of the past two seasons. Brase notched 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 31.1 minutes per contest in 2014-15, and scored in double figures in six of 14 conference games a year ago.

Brase’s exit will put pressure on junior forwards Henry Caruso and Pete Miller as well as sophomore forward Alec Brennan in the frontcourt of what has been a balanced offensive attack under coach Mitch Henderson.

Providence tops Harvard, 76-64

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What happened: It’d be easy to say Harvard simply ran into the buzzsaw that is likely future NBA Draft lottery pick Kris Dunn, who posted 32 points, six rebounds, two blocks and an incredible eight steals (seven of which came in the first half). But the Crimson’s turnovers – 22 for the game – are what kept them from taking over the game in the first half when the Friars, Dunn included, were struggling to convert at the rim.

What to look for next: Harvard’s halfcourt defense acquitted itself relatively well, even in spite of Dunn’s next-level second half. I expect that defense to continue to strengthen as the season progresses. If freshman guard Corey Johnson can keep up his deep shooting streak – 15 of his 17 points came from downtown – the Crimson will be able to stretch defenses and keep them honest. Junior center Zena Edosomwan got into early foul trouble and missed six of his first seven free throws, only contributing on offense after Dunn had put the game out of reach. Simply put, Harvard needs more offense out of its frontcourt earlier in contests going forward, and that starts with Edosomwan.

The Steve Donahue era begins with Penn finishing

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PHILADELPHIA – Eight months since he took the post as the head of Penn basketball, Steve Donahue’s team was up 17 against a Robert Morris squad that returned four starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad. Penn had only coughed up the ball five times in the first half. Almost every shot that the Quakers took was within the bounds of Donahue’s system. It was as good as Donahue could have scripted it.

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Princeton pulls away from Rider, 64-56

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LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Princeton faced off against the tough Rider Broncs Friday night without senior captain Hans Brase, who is expected to anchor the Tigers at both ends of the court. A troublesome knee flared up earlier in the week, sending Brase to the bench on crutches for the season opener. He is expected to return at full strength, but it may be weeks before he can get on the court.

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Ivy opening night roundup – A freshman free-for-all

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Columbia 107, Kean 62

What happened:  This contest between the Lions and Division III Kean was one of several games that kicked off at 11 a.m., thus ushering in the 2015-16 college basketball season. The Light Blue enjoyed the return of senior forward Alex Rosenberg, who brought his physical style of offensive play back instantly after missing last year due to a Jones fracture. Rosenberg posted 10 points and characteristically got to the free throw line early and often (six times, to be exact) before sitting after the Lions clinched the game early. Senior guard Grant Mullins posted 11 points in 16 minutes after missing last season due to injury as well. Freshman guard C.J. Davis impressed later in the game, notching 19 points in 15 minutes.

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