Limited shot conversion and empty possessions give the full-game total room to stay below the number despite the weaknesses of both defenses.
Fundamental Case (3 Drivers)
VMI and UTSA finished the historical CBBD sample with adjusted offensive efficiencies of 97.4 and 99.1, respectively. Their effective field-goal percentages were 49.0% and 45.9%, so scoring depended on more than simply finding a permissive defense. Missed first shots force both offenses to recover points through rebounds or free throws rather than consistently finishing possessions cleanly.
VMI made 18 of 63 shots and committed 19 turnovers at SMU. Its five made threes did not provide enough compensation for the missed shots and lost possessions. The opponent changes here, but that combination illustrates how a game can contain plenty of activity without every possession becoming points.
UTSA took 34 of its 63 opening-game shots from three-point range. Eberwein and Coleman also supplied an unusually efficient combined 10-for-11 shooting performance. That concentration makes scoring sensitive to perimeter conversion, and a less exceptional reserve shooting night leaves more possessions ending without points.
Red Team Counter-Case & Risk Factors
VMI can surrender offensive rebounds that turn initial misses into easy putbacks. Live-ball turnovers can also create transition chances before either defense gets organized. Both teams can accelerate the scoring if their perimeter attempts fall together. A close finish with repeated free throws, or an overtime period, can erase the cushion.