Big East Basketball: Analyzing Creighton, UConn and Villanova by the numbers

Effective Field Goal Percentage

Creighton-  Any statistical category that distinguishes and then rewards three-point field goals from two-point field goals, is a category that the Creighton Bluejays will excel at. The Bluejays currently average eleven made three-pointers per game, which is the second-best total in the Big East. They recently hit 16 of 36 shots from beyond the arc versus St. John’s, without the services of  Marcus Zegarowski who averages three made three-pointers per game.

Combined with their Big East-best 57 percent from the two-point area, there is zero question as to why the Bluejays effective field goal percentage is 57 percent. The Bluejays defensive stats in this category is slightly higher at 58.6 percent, unfortunately, that means the Bluejays are minus when it comes to effective field goal percentage.

Villanova- Jay Wright’s Villanova Wildcats’ effective field goal percentage has been propelled by their three-point shooting to the tune of 57.3 percent. Their Big East best in three-point attempts, three-point makes, and three-point percentage put the Wildcats above the Bluejays by the smallest of margins. Over his 29 minutes, Caleb Daniels leads the WIldcats in effective field-goal percentage with 62 percent, as he hits half his two-pointers and 44 percent of his three-pointers.

On the other end of the court, the Wildcats have held their conference opponents to 54.4 percent. Mostly due to the fact that it is not only difficult to make a field goal against them, but it is also challenging to even get a shot against them as they rank number two and one in the Big East respectively.

Connecticut- The Connecticut Huskies come in last in offensive effective field goal percentage at 49.4 percent and first among the Big East contenders in opponents effective field goal percentage at 46.1. The Huskies are tenth in the Big East in made field goals per game, (with now injured) James Bouknight leading the way. They do not fare that much better in comparison to Big East foes as they are seventh in attempted shots.

Despite only starting two games Tyler Polley is their most efficient shooter thanks to being the only player to connect on more than two three-pointers per game. On defense, the Huskies just do not let teams shoot, as they are either best or second-best in the Big East when it comes to opponents’ field goals, field goal attempts, field goal percentage as well as the three-point categories. All this gives them a defensive efficient field goals percent that is eight percent better than the other two Big East contenders.

Team eFG: ‘Nova beats Creighton / Creighton beats UCONN / ‘Nova beats UCONN

Opponent eFG: UCONN beats Creighton / ‘Nova beats Crieghton / UCONN beats ‘Nova