Where the Game Could be Won: Examining How Providence and Kansas Attack in Ten Different Play Types

When Providence takes to the floor against Kansas at the United Center in Chicago on Friday night, the Friars will be challenged by one of the best offensive teams in the nation.

Kansas is the sixth most efficient offensive team in the country, with an adjusted offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions) of 119.5.

But where does Kansas do most of their damage? And how do they compare to Providence on certain types of offensive sets? Let’s take dig into it.

The Transition Game:

Perhaps the biggest key for Providence on Friday night will be slowing Kansas in the open court. Nearly 17% of the Jayhawk offense comes from transition (conversely, transition opportunities make up 13.9% of the Friar offense), and they score 1.13 points per possession when on the break. That number is good for the 90th percentile in the nation.

Transition defense has been an achilles heel for the Providence defense, where they give up 1.08 points per possession. That ranks in the 13th percentile in the country, which is the Friars’ lowest rating (by a good amount) out of the ten play types we’ll focus on here.

All American guard Ochai Agbaji has scored 143 of his 676 points on the break this season. Over 28% of his field goals have come in transition. Clearly, Providence would prefer to keep Kansas in the halfcourt and take their chances with Justin Minaya contesting Agbaji’s shots.