It has no doubt been frustrating to watch the team over these last few weeks. I see others have hypothesized on what could be the reason or reasons for their struggles.

I've been wondering the same, so I decided to take a look at the game-by-game stats to see if any interesting trends or differences appear. I grouped the stats in several ways:

1) full season to date
2) all wins
3) all losses
4) since the first Toledo loss (incl. that game)
5) since the second Toledo loss (incl. that game)
6) since the Kent State loss (incl. that game)
7) our three game losing streak to end the season

I'm just going to share a few takeaways from some of these categories. Now I'll be the first to say that I'm no statistician or basketball coach, and there are plenty of others who know much more than I do about the game. Just wanted to share some numbers for the good of the discussion.

Overall, I think it's a combination of things on both offense and defense. Not sure how much I want to buy into other issues with team chemistry and/or fatigue though, but those possible factors cannot be ignored. I do think Boals is a great coach and if any of our recent coaches can address these issues, I believe he can. Nevertheless, onto the stats

First, let's take a look at the offense. Below are some takeaways:

- FG percentage: It's about 46% in all wins, compared to 35% in all losses, and 39% over the three game losing streak. Maybe not surprising that we make fewer shots when we lose, but still. Maybe we're taking lower percentage shots.

- Three point attempts: Like others have said on other threads, I noticed a lot of 3-point attempts over the last few weeks. Sure enough since the second loss to Toledo we have been averaging over 30 3-point attempts each game, and over 34 attempts over the 3-game losing streak. Compare that to roughly 26 attempts in all of our wins. Interestingly though, our 3-pt make percentage is relatively consistent at 34%

- Percent of shots that are 3-pointers: This one is interesting. In all wins, about 44% of our attempts are threes, compared to 50% or more in all losses, including nearly 55% over our 3-game losing streak. Does that point to tired legs, unwillingness to drive and/or take higher percentage shots? Who knows. You might be wondering if the uptick in reliance on the 3-ball coincides with fewer FT attempts. Not really. We are still averaging about the same number of attempts 15-20 in all game (wins and losses).

- Assists: I wondered if there'd be a difference here, but there isn't really. We average 12-14 assists per game

- Defensive Rebounds: A bit of a split here. We average about 25 defensive rebounds per game in all of our wins, compared to 20 in all losses, including our 3-game losing streak. Does that mean more second chance points for our opponents?

- No major differences in the following categories: offensive rebounds, turnovers, FT percentage


Now for the defense.

- FG percentage: When we lose, opponents average 50% or better FG percentage. Over our 3-game losing streak that has peaked at 52%

- 3-point defense: No differences here. If anything, our 3-point defense is better in losses. Maybe that points to teams taking more high percentage shots?

- FT Attempts - No surprise here. When we win, we have allowed about 14 FT attempts. When we lose, our opponents average 19 FT attempts. Looking at the last 3 games they are averaging a staggering 26 FT attempts. Gulp.

- Overall, I think teams have figured out that in order to beat us when they're on offense, they need to drive to the hoop and push the tempo/score in transition, although I don't have any stats to support the second hypothesis.

Next steps? Would be great to look at other stats like defensive efficiency (points allowed per possession) and offensive efficiency (points scored per possession) by week. I also think it would be good to look at some individual stats. I saw a few on Jason Carter on the Ball State pre-game thread. Maybe we can build off of that.

Open to any other comments or suggestions others may have!

Hoping the Cats can right this ship and get back on track for the MAC tourney. Stay positive!

Thanks for taking the time to put this together, we all have our opinions while watching the games but the analytics tell the truth.

What a strange year it has been, even the stats agree.

I'm most definitely still chugging the Boals kool aid. There is a lot more to the college game than x's and o's and Boals checks the box on pretty much everything else outside of game management for me.

Let's remember that he isn't the one shooting the ball.

Recruiting is obviously the big one and we have a fantastic incoming class that hopefully will provide improvement in some critical areas.

An extension should be offered this off season, regardless of the final results from Cleveland.

This likely points to tired legs. Slower rotations, more reaching. I know NBA data shows higher opponent free throw numbers on the second night of a back-to-back, so that tracks here.

Cool look at what's going on. Thanks for pulling it together.