Illustrating the balance and versatility below is a chart showing the percentage of each statistic that each player is responsible for. The Y-axis contains the statistical categories and the legend states which color corresponds to each player. If you place your arrow over a figure in the chart you can see the percentage amount that player contributes to the Gophers overall statistical category.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Gopher: such a balanced and versatile creature
Most of you have probably heard by now that the Gophers are off to their best start since the 1996-1997 season. The surprising part of this 13-1 start is how the Gophers have went about accomplishing their midseason success. The Gophers and Coach Tubby Smith have shown amazing balance and versatility. Six Gophers (Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson, Blake Hoffarber, Al Nolen, Colton Iverson, and Ralph Sampson III) average more than 6.0 points per game and eleven Gophers average more than 10.0 minutes per game and more than 3.5 points per game. When asked about the distribution of playing time Tubby said, "I don't care about playing time. That's the last thing on my mind. I want to know who can help me win the game. If you can help me win the game, fine. If you can't, you ain't playing. I've always done that. I've been pretty good with it." The Gophers also have one of the most balanced offenses in the Big Ten, ranking third in points per game (73.1), despite having only one player who ranks in the Big Ten's top 29 scorers, Lawrence Westbrook averaging 13.0 points per game. The Gophers also rely on contributions from many versatile players, such as Damian Johnson. Damian 'Just Too Sexy' Johnson is leading the Big Ten with 2.4 steals per game, is second with 2.5 blocks per game, is eighth shooting 56.6% from the floor, and fourth with a 2.5 assist/turnover ratio. The balance and versatility of the Gophers hopefully will continue throughout the remainder of the season. Along with, most importantly, the wins that the Gophers have produced thus far.
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I like that chart. Very informative.
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