Ken Pomeroy and Jordan Sperber on Analytical Tradeoffs, Fouling Up 3?, and the Nuances of Shot Selection Metrics

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Oct 31, 2025

Guest

Jordan Sperber

Guest

Ken Pomeroy

Ken Pomeroy, a renowned college basketball statistician and creator of the KenPom ratings, teams up with Jordan Sperber, the founder of HoopVision, to explore the nuances of basketball analytics. They discuss the true meaning of pace in the game, emphasizing possession quality over mere speed. The conversation unveils how teams can achieve success with different styles and why elite offenses now hold sway in championships. They also share practical insights on shot selection, revealing how small changes can yield big gains without drastic roster overhauls.

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INSIGHT

Possessions, Not Perceived Speed

Pace is best measured as possession length, not just perceived speed of actions.
Offensive and defensive possession length can diverge and reveal different team tendencies.

INSIGHT

Pace Has Weak Correlation With Success

There's almost no correlation between total possessions per game and team quality.
Faster offenses and slower defenses show small correlations, but causation can run both ways.

ADVICE

Avoid Late-Clock Shots

Avoid late-clock possessions rather than trying to maximize raw tempo.
Teams should take good early-clock looks instead of passing up them for risky late-clock attempts.

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In this episode, Slappin’ Glass is joined by Ken Pomeroy and Jordan Sperber, creators of the course Basketball Analytics for Coaches. They dive into how data can sharpen decision-making, refine strategy, and help coaches think more clearly about how they play and teach the game.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

1. Rethinking Pace
Why pace isn’t just about speed — it’s about possession quality and efficiency. Learn how teams like UConn and Alabama succeed with drastically different tempos, and why coaches should focus on avoiding late-clock possessions instead of simply playing faster.

2. Offense, Defense, and What Really Wins
Is “defense wins championships” still true? Ken and Jordan explain why elite offense has become slightly more predictive of winning in today’s spacing-heavy game and the connection between pace and defensive quality.

3. The Real Story Behind Shot Selection
Discover why the best teams don’t always take the “best” shots — and how marginal gains, like trading a few long twos for threes or cutting out floaters, can create meaningful offensive improvement without overhauling your roster.

4. Using Analytics in Late-Game Decisions
From quick two vs. three, to foul or defend up three, to playing stars in foul trouble — learn how data can help coaches define their philosophy ahead of emotional, high-pressure moments.

5. What Stats Actually Matter
Ken and Jordan reveal which numbers predict success: two-point percentage and shot selection stability — not three-point streaks or halftime box scores. Coaches will learn what to track, what to ignore, and how to use numbers to reinforce team values.

🏀 Key Takeaway:

Analytics isn’t about replacing instincts — it’s about creating a framework to think better. Whether it’s pace, shot selection, or in-game strategy, data helps you coach with clarity and confidence.

To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage of an SG Plus membership, visit HERE!