Points per possession...how to calculate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious

I would like to rate teams by points per possession. I'm having difficulty calculating number of possessions from the game stats that are usually available.

I started with shots attempted, that is obvious, then added turnovers committed. I'm not sure what to do about free throws.

I don't think that shots attempted + turnovers = total possessions, but I'm not sure what is missing.

Any ideas?

Curious

Try www.kenpom.com

This is a typical stat sheet you get for Kansas:

Note: Team stats include games against Division I competition only

Team stats through games of Wednesday, January 16

Record vs. D-1: 16-0
Luck: +0.022 National Rank=115 (+0.3 wins)

Raw Tempo: 69.3 poss/40 min National Rank=128
Adj Tempo: 70.0 poss/40 min National Rank=99

Offense Defense
Raw Efficiency : 120.0 ( 1) 83.4 ( 3)
Adj Efficiency : 122.0 ( 3) 79.6 ( 2)

Effective FG% : 58.4 ( 2) 44.6 ( 31)
Turnover Pct. : 18.2 ( 25) 26.7 ( 8)
Off. Rebound% : 37.5 ( 52) 29.6 ( 48)
Free Throw Rate: 22.5 (232) 27.3 ( 37)

3-Point FG% : 38.7 ( 49) 35.4 (197)
2-Point FG% : 58.5 ( 3) 39.5 ( 7)
Free Throw Pct.: 67.0 (216) 63.6 ( 24)
Block Pct. : 4.6 ( 2) 19.0 ( 3)
Steal Pct. : 9.1 ( 98) 16.0 ( 1)

3PA/FGA : 31.6 (228) 37.5 (259)
A/FGM : 63.2 ( 33) 54.8 (152)