1. Hit a high percentage of shots, especially from the arc which is related to only moderate athleticism;

2. Keep turnover rate down, which was one of the best strengths about last year's team, which is more about brains than athleticism;

3. Rebound at a high rate, especially on the offensive glass where athleticism matters but so does skill and knowledge;

4. Get to the free throw line a lot unless you shoot a ton of 3s. Looks like this team is skilled and athletic enough to get to the rim more than last year which should get more whistles.

These Four Factors account for the dominant part of the single number that objectively MEASURES team strength when properly adjusted for strength of opponents as kenpom.com does so well. That single number is Points Per Possession or PPP. PPP for offense and PPP for defense (which calls for the opposite results in the Four Factors above).

The eye test doesn't matter anymore. It's been refuted. Refuted doesn't mean just rebutted. It means proven wrong. If a team doesn't achieve good scores for those Four Factor, it won't be a strong team no matter how impressive the athletes or eye test dubious assessment.

End of nerd rant from an optimistic nerd.