individual +/- for me is a pretty useless stat because it doesnt take into account who you are playing with. I prefer unit metrics.

Hey, no judgment here. Whatever floats your boat!

I did look for the five man lineup numbers, but it doesn't look like the Stats Broadcast site has them.

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You mean "Unit" is a 5 man lineup and not what I thought it was?

I think that plus/minus can be useful. I do prefer to look at it for a unit rather than an individual. But, I think you can never overreact to one game because there's a lot of "noise" in just one 40 minute game. For example, if you are on the floor when the other team's shooter gets hot and buries a few contested jumpers, you're numbers are going to look worse. Also, giving up an easy layup because your teammate turned the ball over is the same as losing your man in halfcourt D. That stuff tends to even out over time but if you take just one game, anything can happen.

24 hours after playing us, UIndy played Xavier in an exhibition game. Xavier ended up winning by 12, but it was much closer than that most of the game. It was a one point game at halftime.

Xavier is ranked 19th in the preseason AP poll.

They were throwing t-shirts?

I really like +/-. It helps me factor in the things that don't show up in the traditional stat line. It also helps me quantify things that don't show up at all in the stat lines, like defensive factors, intensity and floor leadership. I was intrigued by +/- because the Butler fans were believers back when they were putting together the program that went to two straight National Championship Games. I became a convert to +/- when I started seeing the numbers that Ben Richardson and Donte Ingram put up when they seemed to have a bad game on the official stat sheet.

Yes, +/- can be subject to huge fluctuations when players see limited minutes. But so can official stat sheet numbers. To me it gives a better measure of defense than simply steals, rebounds, and blocks. It's the kind of stat I would use to make broader decisions on the value of players like Aher, who have stat lines that show conflicts, or vary widely from game to game.

Well played Big Joe. Made me laugh.

Where should I mail the bill for my new eyeglasses?

This is one of the things that keeps me coming back to this board. That and Blers' unique sensibilities.