NCAAB

Ranking the 5 Best Conferences in College Basketball

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Big 12

Average Team nERD: 11.54

The Big 12 is the nation's best conference -- and it's not even close. The conference's average nERD of 11.54 is 1.67 points better than the next best conference.

The Big 12's total win percentage is 67.2%, and is one of -- if not the -- best defensive conferences in the nation.

The Big 12's defensive prowess is highlighted by four teams in the top 10% in the nation defensively. Baylor (92.3%), Oklahoma State (95.2%), West Virginia (95.4%), and Oklahoma (97.3%) are all among the top defensive teams in the country, according to our metrics.

So it comes as no surprise that the Big 12 has seven of the top 25 teams in our power rankings, all of which we expect to make the NCAA tournament. Our metrics currently project the Big 12 to have seven teams seeded seventh or better in the NCAA Tournament.