Every year there is one metric I like to use to compare teams in the ACC. Most people have learned about offensive efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions) and defensive efficiency (points allowered per 100 possessions) by now, and efficiency margin is simply the difference between the two. Let's take a look at the ACC teams ranked by efficiency margin.
Name | Off Eff | Def Eff | Eff Mar | SOS |
Duke | 117.1 | 92.2 | 24.9 | 4 |
Maryland | 113.9 | 91.0 | 22.9 | 327 |
UNC | 109.0 | 86.2 | 22.8 | 116 |
Virginia | 103.4 | 81.8 | 21.6 | 261 |
Virginia Tech | 114.6 | 96.1 | 18.5 | 301 |
Clemson | 105.9 | 92.2 | 13.7 | 175 |
Miami | 112.6 | 99.0 | 13.6 | 172 |
NC State | 113.9 | 101.1 | 12.8 | 43 |
Georgia Tech | 101.4 | 90.1 | 11.3 | 216 |
FSU | 105.7 | 97.5 | 8.2 | 97 |
Boston College | 104.3 | 106.5 | -2.2 | 208 |
Wake Forest | 101.7 | 104.0 | -2.3 | 218 |
The most eye opening team on this list is NC State coming in at 8th on the list. The Wolfpack have admittedly played a tough schedule sliding them down the list slightly but its clear the Pack's defensive efficiency is a huge concern. Conversely, Maryland sitting at #2 on this list is likely a bit high due to their weak schedule to this point. That said, the truth lies somewhere in between as the Terps showed they are a team to watch when they played even with a talented Kentucky team to open the season.
The most encouraging thing that stands out is the depth of the conference. Just last season, only 5 ACC teams had efficiency margins greater than 8 (Duke, UNC, FSU, Virginia, and NC State). Currently there are 10 teams with an efficiency margin greater than 8.