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ACC Records When Leading At Halftime

It’s a great stat if you’re Miami.

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NCAA Basketball: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
Jan 18, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Seth Allen (4) climbs back onto the court after leaping into the crowd in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Cassell Coliseum. 
Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech’s game notes made a point of the fact the Yellow Jackets were 10-1 when heading at halftime. This is a bit like saying the Jackets have a great winning percentage when making more than 50 percent of their shots, or scoring more points than their opponents.

In other words, with all due respect, as statistics go it’s not too revealing. Useful, but not too revealing. Especially after Josh Pastner’s squad lost by a point at Virginia Tech after leading at halftime, dropping its record when ahead at intermission to 10-2.

On the other hand, it’s remarkable how few statistics are employed to lend perspective when we’re watching games on TV, the venue to which most of us are restricted. And, generally speaking, holding an advantage at the half is a good indicator of the eventual outcome.

If you knew a team was 10-1 when leading at halftime, and it was in fact leading at halftime, you might feel pretty good about its chances to hold on for a victory.

Even if, in Georgia Tech’s case at Blacksburg, you would have been wrong.

HALFWAY MEASURES
2017 ACC Teams Records at Half, Through Jan. 18
(Listed by Winning Percentage)
Win % Record Team
1.000 11-0 Miami
.938 15-1 North Carolina
.933 14-1 Florida State
.923 12-1 Duke
.917 11-1 NC State
.917 11-1 Syracuse
.909 10-1 Virginia Tech
.867 13-2 Notre Dame
.857 12-2 Louisville
.833 10-2 Georgia Tech
.833 10-2 Virginia
.818 9-2 Clemson
.800 8-2 Boston College
.786 11-3 Pittsburgh
.667 10-5 Wake Forest

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