Efficiency Ratings Explained

Efficiency ratings measure how many points a team scores (or allows) per 100 possessions. Unlike raw points per game, which is heavily influenced by how fast a team plays, efficiency ratings are tempo-free. This means you can fairly compare a team that plays 75 possessions per game to one that plays 60.

A possession ends when a team scores, misses and the opponent rebounds, turns the ball over, or shoots free throws. By normalizing to 100 possessions, efficiency ratings strip away pace and reveal how effectively a team converts opportunities into points.

Offensive efficiency, also called offensive rating (ORtg), measures the number of points a team scores per 100 possessions. A higher number is better.

What drives a good offensive efficiency rating:

• High field goal percentage — Especially effective two-point shooting (dunks, layups, mid-range)
• Three-point shooting — Volume and accuracy from beyond the arc
• Free throw rate — Drawing fouls and converting at the line
• Low turnover rate — Taking care of the ball preserves possessions
• Offensive rebounding — Second-chance points create additional scoring opportunities

Defensive efficiency, or defensive rating (DRtg), measures the number of points a team allows per 100 possessions. Lower is better for defense.

What makes elite defensive efficiency:

• Contesting shots effectively — Forcing opponents into difficult, low-percentage attempts
• Defensive rebounding — Ending opponent possessions on the first miss
• Forcing turnovers — Steals and forced errors eliminate opponent scoring chances
• Limiting free throws — Disciplined defense that avoids fouls
• Three-point defense — Closing out on shooters and limiting open looks

Net efficiency is simply offensive efficiency minus defensive efficiency (ORtg − DRtg). It is widely considered the single best predictor of team quality in college basketball.

A positive net efficiency means a team scores more points per 100 possessions than it allows. The best teams in the country typically have a net efficiency of +20 or higher, while the average Division I team sits near zero.

For example, a team with an offensive efficiency of 115 and a defensive efficiency of 92 has a net efficiency of +23, which would place them among the nation's elite.

Consider two teams:

• Team A averages 85 points per game at a fast pace (75 possessions per game)
• Team B averages 70 points per game at a slow pace (58 possessions per game)

At first glance, Team A looks like the better offense. But when you calculate efficiency: Team A scores 113.3 points per 100 possessions, while Team B scores 120.7 points per 100 possessions. Team B is actually the more efficient offense despite scoring fewer raw points.

Adjusted efficiency goes one step further by accounting for opponent quality. A team that scores 110 per 100 possessions against top-50 defenses is far more impressive than one doing the same against bottom-100 defenses. This opponent adjustment is what makes efficiency ratings predictive rather than just descriptive.

On College Hoops Data, you can find efficiency ratings in several places:

• NET Rankings page — View every team's offensive and defensive efficiency alongside their NET ranking and quad record
• Team detail pages — Each team profile shows season-long efficiency metrics and how they trend over time
• Scoreboard — Pre-game matchup cards show each team's efficiency profile to help you evaluate the matchup