Putting Indiana & Florida In Recent Historical Perspective

February 15, 2013 - by Matt Woods

As of February 15th, 2013, Indiana and Florida lead the nation in average scoring margin with +21.7 and +21.3, respectively. The next closest team is Pittsburgh with +16.6. To put those numbers in perspective, the last team to have a higher average scoring margin at this point of the season was 2001 Duke (+22.6).

Below is the list of teams since 2000 that have had an average scoring margin better than +20 on February 15th of a given season. Just missing the cut were 2012 Kentucky (+19.9) and 2009 North Carolina (+19.8) – both national champions.

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Highest Average Scoring Margin As Of February 15th

Year	Team	Average Scoring Margin	NCAA Tournament Seed	NCAA Tournament Finish
2001	Duke	+22.6	1	Champs
2013	Indiana	+21.7	??	??
2013	Florida	+21.3	??	??
2007	Florida	+21.2	1	Champs
2005	North Carolina	+21.1	1	Champs
2007	North Carolina	+21.1	1	Elite 8
2002	Duke	+20.9	1	Sweet 16
2005	Louisville	+20.7	4	Final Four
2008	Kansas	+20.6	1	Champs
2000	Tulsa	+20.5	7	Elite 8
2010	Kansas	+20.4	1	Round 2
2008	Memphis	+20.2	1	Runner Up
2006	Texas	+20.2	2	Elite 8

The last time two teams had scoring margins better than +20 at this point of the season was 2008, and Kansas and Memphis went on to meet for the national title. Also of note, the two lowest seeded teams on this list both exceeded expectations, as 4th-seeded Louisville made the Final Four, and 7th-seeded Tulsa made the Elite Eight.

While obviously there’s quite a bit of unpredictability in a single elimination tournament, what is clear is that to this point in the season the Gators and Hoosiers stand with elite company.