Basketball is a game of ratios. Now, I know what you are thinking. “Ratios? Like 3:2? You never see that in a box score.” Well, true. But in mathematics, we define a ratio to be anything of the form x/y, where x and y are integers. And while we don’t usually see ratios in this form, they are all over the box score: 3-33 from the field in the second half. 39-74 from the free throw line. 5-20 from beyond the arc. These are all ratios, and most of the time they materialize themselves as percentages. However, there is one time when we do look at the numbers in the traditional form. And that is the assist-to-turnover ratio.

The assist-to-turnover ratio is one of the best methods we have for measuring the effectiveness of a point guard. In college, anything above 2:1 is considered good. I remember in the mid-90’s, the Heat’s Tim Hardaway would get a hefty bonus if he finished the season with a 3:1 ratio. During Steve Nash’s first MVP season, his assist-to-turnover ratio was 3.5:1. In Saturday’s game against Fairfield, Jeremiah Rivers assist-to-turnover ratio was infinity.

“What? Infinity? That’s impossible! What does that even mean?” Allow me to explain. Since a ratio is of the form x/y, sometimes y is zero. “Hey! In school, my teacher always told me never to divide by zero. It’s undefined.” Well, not exactly. When we have a positive number divided by zero, we sometimes call that infinity. Occasionally in baseball, you will see an ERA of infinity (ERA is another ratio – earned runs per 27 outs). The problem is, a pitcher who gives up one run and gets no outs has the same infinite ERA as a pitcher who gives up 20 runs and doesn’t get any one out. You run into the same problem with the assist-to-turnover ratio. So, we should look closer at River’s performance.

Rivers’ ratio was 5:0. Five assists is good for the Hoyas’ offensive system, and especially so for a backup point guard. Factor in the zero turnovers in 27 minutes, and that is a phenomenal performance, much more impressive than a one assist, zero turnover night in 5 minutes of garbage time. Further, Rivers has nine assists and only one turnover for the season. While it is unlikely that this trend will continue, if Rivers can even keep doing a third as well, he will provide immense support for this team. If Rivers can replace Wallace or Sapp without a noticeable drop-off in quality, and, with his defense already recognized as superior, Rivers will be a key bench performer for this team.

If he can keep it up, Georgetown’s win-to-loss ratio will stay at infinity for a while.