One third of the regular season is in the books for St. Bonaventure. The record stands at 8-2 and now is an opportune time to look at the Bonnies’ efficiency margin.
To arrive at this figure we subtract defensive efficiency from the offensive. Efficiency is points per possession multiplied by 100. Naturally you want to have a positive margin. ‘Winning’ the efficiency margin does not guarantee a victory on the scoreboard but it’s close. In approximately 97% of the cases, the team that ‘wins’ efficiency gets the ‘W’ in the won-lost column.
The following table gives a rundown of Bona’s first ten games. The efficiency margin of each contest is on the right.
Once again, you want to produce at least a 100 efficiency on the offensive end while keeping opposition out of triple figures.
| Opponent | Efficiency Margin |
| Siena | +45 |
| Canisius | +13 |
| Boise St. | +10 |
| Clemson | +5 |
| Marquette | +22 |
| Northern Iowa | -13 |
| Coppin St. | +17 |
| Buffalo | +5 |
| Loyola MD | +20 |
| UConn | -15 |
Thus far the Bona total efficiency is 110 on offense, 96 on defense for a healthy +14 margin. Last season Mark Schmidt’s group posted a +19 with 110 on the offensive end and 91 on ‘D’.
The single game high offensive efficiency is 133 vs. Loyola MD. What made that game a bit close was a too generous 113 allowed by the Bona defense. The best defensive showing to date is the 73 allowed in the Charleston Classic championship against Marquette. The low marks are 94 on offense last Saturday against UConn. The worst defensive showing should be little surprise- 123 in the Northern Iowa loss as the visiting Panthers shot 15 of 31 (48%) from downtown.
Granted the Bonnies are efficient on offense while showing solid numbers on defense. One reason the offense is clicking is a 14% turnover rate, that is the 17th best number in the country. Given Schmidt’s emphasis on limiting turnovers, experience and senior leadership it is no surprise Bona is caring for the ball at an above average rate.
On defense Bona turns opponents over at a 17% rate (289 in the country). That figure tells us the Bonnies are not pressing as much. Rather they choose to lock opponents down in solid half court defense. A 17% block percentage, good for 7th in the country, is testament to that.
Next opponent, Virginia Tech is showing almost identical efficiency numbers to Bona. The Hokies are +17 with 110 on offense and 92 on defense. A noteworthy trait of that efficient offense is a 39% (14th in the country) mark from beyond the arc. Bonnies must close out on shooters and not allow too many open looks in what shapes up as an interesting matchup.
