Seton Hall 94 DePaul 73: Tempo Free, the Manley/NBA Efficiency and Dance Team

NEWARK, NJ- So much for a ‘trap' game. Seton Hall raced out to a 17 point halftime lead en route to a 94-73 decision over DePaul at the Prudential Center. The Pirates are now 15-2 (4-1 Big East) while DePaul drops to 10-6 (1-3).

The Pace and efficiency:

A fast pace, fueled by the DePaul pressure which the Hall handled and attacked. The defensive numbers for the Pirates were impressive. Offense was ‘off the charts'.

Impressive point was at the half it was a 38 possession game with Seton Hall showing a 134-90 edge in efficiency. That means the second twenty minutes the defense was as effective while the offense (you can expect a drop after a 134 opening half) was almost as good.

Fuquan Edwin led all scorers with 28 points. Brandon Young paced DePaul with 16. Edwin's Manley/NBA efficiency numbers were equally impressive. Manley is for Martin Manley who wrote the stat book ‘Basketball Heaven'. He created this formula and the NBA uses it today. It adds positives and subtracts negatives (except fouls). Simply, add field goals and free throws made, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and points. Subtract turnovers and missed shots. Let's look at Edwin's ‘line'. The top is for halftime while the second row reflects the final numbers:

In the Manley, anything in the 20s is above average and impressive. The thirties is indeed a level of rarefied air. Coming into this game, Edwin had a Manley average of 16.3 for four Big East games. It's quite evident the 6-6 sophomore has really come on in conference play. The numbers show it as well.

Just my opinion....I really admire the dance team's new uniforms. They look attractive and the color is a good choice. Who am I to say? Not an expert but I did a series of dance team and cheerleading columns a few years ago for another site. In the process of interviewing squad coaches and team members, I learned a great deal of the preparation, conditioning and commitment required of these athletes. And yes they are athletes.

The jazz pants of the past few years were never a personal favorite. Too bland, kind of like old gym class sweats or pajamas from the sale rack at Old Navy. The skirts are a much better uniform. Accentuating the dance talent of the individual as well as the entire squad.

Again, just my opinion but I like the dance team's uniforms. Now, (only kidding) if we can find a formula to show the correlation to the uniforms and the Pirates great start.....