Luke Winn: Handicapping the national title race at the midway point

[CDC84]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/01/20/power-rankings-national-championship-kansas-villanova-Kentucky

Here's another lame reason to explain why the Zags aren't what they are all cracked up to be. Nearly every team on this list has a weakness that Winn can clearly identify, but with Gonzaga it is.....

The Flaws: There haven’t been many on display, so I’m reaching here: As good as Williams-Goss is, he’s yet to play in an NCAA tournament game, so leading a team to a title might be a stretch. . . . The Zags were in the 10–15 range in kenpom’s adjusted efficiency rankings before a series of West Coast Conference blowouts elevated them to No. 1. I think their true level is closer to the 8–10 range.

[Once and Future Zag]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball...anova-Kentucky

Here's another lame reason to explain why the Zags aren't what they are all cracked up to be. Nearly every team on this list has a weakness that Winn can clearly identify, but with Gonzaga it is.....

Luke Winn seems to not understand that kenpom's numbers are normalized against the strength of opponent.

[CDC84]

And what's weird is that Winn was one of the very first college basketball analysts to embrace kenpom & make it a part of his writing and analysis. You'd think he'd know better.

And this thing about Nigel's lack of tourney experience....Fox with UK? Ball with UCLA? Plus, it's not like Nigel is a one man show.

[MDABE80]

One of the stupidest things ever written. Winn's never been a Zag fan. His logic "wants"

[FlyZag]

In all fairness... he does say "I'm reaching here..."

[soccerdud]

In all fairness... he does say "I'm reaching here..."

this. he is coming up with flaws for EVERY team and ours is the only one that he leads with a disclaimer. truly not sure what it would take to satisfy you guys. just leave that section blank for us cause we're perfect?

were your hackles already up cause you had to scroll all the way down to 8? seriously.

[CDC84]

Easy, easy, easy.

[seacatfan]

This board cracks me up sometimes. I think some of you are so used to being overlooked or written off by the national media that you go out of your way looking for insults anywhere you can. Gonzaga isn't the plucky little underdog anymore. That narrative got worn out a while ago. What they are is a really good team w/ size, depth, versatility, shooters...whatever else you could want. They are 18-0, only undefeated team in the country, most pundits agree they are one of the top teams in the country. I'd say relax and enjoy it instead of going around w/ a humongous chip on your shoulder and trying your darnedest to be insulted and feel slighted. It's really getting pretty silly this season.

[jazzdelmar]

This board cracks me up sometimes. I think some of you are so used to being overlooked or written off by the national media that you go out of your way looking for insults anywhere you can. Gonzaga isn't the plucky little underdog anymore. That narrative got worn out a while ago. What they are is a really good team w/ size, depth, versatility, shooters...whatever else you could want. They are 18-0, only undefeated team in the country, most pundits agree they are one of the top teams in the country. I'd say relax and enjoy it instead of going around w/ a humongous chip on your shoulder and trying your darnedest to be insulted and feel slighted. It's really getting pretty silly this season.

It's called "looking for offense" and is usually associated with New Yorkers.

[CDC84]

[gonzagafan62]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball...anova-Kentucky

Here's another lame reason to explain why the Zags aren't what they are all cracked up to be. Nearly every team on this list has a weakness that Winn can clearly identify, but with Gonzaga it is.....

Come on CDC. He mentioned it was lame. Let's not take things out of context here. Again someone standing for zags ....

[CDC84]

[willandi]

It's called "looking for offense" and is usually associated with New Yorkers.

There is a reason.

[Zagger]

I personally think a writer needs to name at least 8 Zags to have a telling piece on the team.

[whatazag]

Luke Winn seems to not understand that kenpom's numbers are normalized against the strength of opponent.

I know that they are "adjusted" but can anyone on this board explain what that means (adjusted O or D efficiency)? It seems he used to have a link to it on his page but I am not seeing it now. Seems straightforward, points per possession on O and allowed on D, but its not clear how that is adjusted.