[CAM2006]

Coach Smith’s teams have competed in then SEC as well. His teams are 13 -2 in SEC tournament play, winning five of seven SEC tournament titles. The regular season SEC record is an equally impressive 94 – 24 [see below], winning the regular season title 4 of his 7 seasons.



SEC Regular Season Record: 1998 through 1/25/05



West Div W-L

Alabama 4-3

Arkansas 5-2

Auburn 7-1

LSU 7-1

Mississippi 6-2

Miss St 6 -1



East Div W -L

Florida 10-4

Georgia 11-4

USC 15-0

Tennessee 10-4

Vanderbilt 13-2



Totals 94-24




Coach Smith has distinguished himself and his record speaks for itself. Indeed, Coach Smith’s accomplishments scream out for acknowledgement. Coach Smith’s current team may be his best. That is why I compared them to the best of the best last week.



Of all the parameters I track and monitor, Net Game Efficiency correlates best to success when measured by Final Four appearances and Championships. Using the Net Game Efficiency as the criteria, Tubby’s 2005 Cats are Tubby’s best and the third best Kentucky team since 1972.



The 2005 Kentucky team has posted a 14-2 record while producing a Net Game Efficiency of 0.184 points per possession. Coach Smith’s other powerful teams include 1998 [National Champions, 0.142 ppp], 1999 [Elite Eight loss to Michigan State, 0.147 ppp], and 2003 [Undefeated in SEC play, Elite Eight loss to Marquette, 0.141 ppp]. These four Smith coached teams also stack up well when their Net Game Efficiencies are compared with all teams since 1972. Only the 1996 [0.203 ppp] and 1997 [0.201 ppp] Pitino teams posted higher Net Game Efficiencies than the 2005 Smith team. Four of the top eleven Kentucky teams in this category are Smith teams [2005, 1998, 1999, and 2003]. Four Pitino coached teams place in the top 11, and three Hall coached teams appear in the top 11. Coach Sutton’s best team, 1988, ranks 17th of 34 for Net Game Efficiency [0.111 ppp].