- The Field of 68 Daily
- Posts
- An all-time defense?
An all-time defense?
Houston's making its claim as one of the scariest defenses -- ever. A peek at the numbers. Plus, what's fueling Tennessee's win streak, Monmouth gets a wild scoring night, Shannon seeks a TRO, and Tom Izzo's odd rant.
Mike Miller
January 09, 2024
Hope you enjoyed the CFP National Championship. For those would couldn’t get enough defense, you’re in luck. I’ve got a Daily that does a deep dive on the two best defenses in college hoops.
Let’s get to it.
1. Houston’s defense is how good?
Once upon a time, Virginia boasted the nation’s most consistently efficient defense. Behind their Pack Line Defense, the Cavaliers ranked seventh or higher in kenpom’s adjusted defensive efficiency for seven straight seasons, and was tops in two out of three years.
That’s gone now, a remnant of the pre-COVID days.
In Virginia’s place, there are a few teams consistently in the Top 10 (such as San Diego State and Iowa State), but there are two who have staked their claims as the best: Tennessee and Houston. Most years, the Vols are the default answer for the most ruthless D-I defense. This isn’t one of those years.
Perhaps fittingly as it makes its Big 12 debut, Houston boasts the nation’s best defense. And it isn’t particularly close.