North Carolina averages 89 points a game and Washington State averages 67 points a game.   Therefore, it is obvious to conclude that North Carolina is a better offensive team.  At the same time, Washington State allows just 57 points a game and North Carolina allows 73 points a game.   Therefore, it is again obvious to conclude that Washington State is the superior defensive team.  

 Neither of those statements is true.

 What is true is that tonight’s game of North Carolina and Washington State has the largest contrast in styles of any two teams in the tournament.   North Carolina plays the fastest pace game at 92 possessions a game and Washington State plays the slowest at 67 possessions a game.

 To really evaluate an offense and a defense you need to break the numbers down to a single possession or an equal amount of possessions. 

 If both North Carolina and Washington State were on offense for 100 possessions who would score more points and if they were both on defense for 100 possessions who would allow more points?  

 Per 100 possessions with the basketball Washington State scores 99.4 points (only Kansas is better) and North Carolina scores 96.7.  Therefore, the team that scores 22 points less a game is a better offensive team.

 On the other hand, North Carolina allows only 78.9 points per 100 possessions whereas Washington State allows 84.6 pts per 100 possessions (the worst of any remaining teams).   Therefore, the team that 16 more points a game is a better defensive team. 

 Listen and watch the game tonight and see how many times an unsophisticated broadcaster refers to North Carolina as the superior offensive team and Washington State as a great defensive team.  You now know better.