Ray Floriani's Tempo-Free Big East Analysis

The Prudential Center prior to Seton Hall's loss to Butler Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Ray Floriani)

With Big East Conference action on tap this weekend, it is time to take a quick tempo-free look at the conference’s best. Conference games are the sole factors. Best offenses:

                                                        Offensive Efficiency

1.  Creighton                                               120

2.  Seton Hall                                               120

3.  Villanova                                                117

4.  Xavier                                                    117             

5.  Providence                                            106

The defensive elite:
                                                Defensive Efficiency

1.Creighton                                           101

2. Georgetown                                      103

3 Marquette                                          104

4. St. John’s                                         105

   Villanova                                           105

   Providence                                        105

Notes:

Seton Hall has an outstanding 52% eFG mark in conference. A good reason for their offensive numbers. Georgetown defends, but does not model offensive efficiency (96), ergo a 3­-6 record.

Creighton does have great offensive efficiency. Remember when Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said Creighton does not get the credit for their outstanding defense? Opponents know, so does tempo-free numbers.

Butler defeated Seton Hall 64­-57 at the Rock on Wednesday. The Bulldogs entered with a poor 110 defensive efficiency. On this night, Brandon Miller’s group limited the Hall to a 92 offensive efficiency en route to a nice road win.