The 5 Best Defensive Teams in the NCAA Tournament
Kentucky Wildcats
| Def. Percentile (Rk) | Adj. D (Rk) | Opp. Points/Game (Rk) |
|---|---|---|
| 99.9 (1st) | 85.7 (2nd) | 54.0 (3rd) |
*Adjusted Defensive Ratings from KenPom.com.
Everyone knows that Kentucky has the best defense in the country -- and the table above confirms it. But a deeper look into the numbers tells us just how complete a defense they are. The Wildcats rank second in the country in blocks, third in opponents' three-point percentage (27.4%) and first in opponents' field goal percentage (35.5%).
Their length is so suffocating and allows them to contest nearly every shot in the halfcourt. It's a thing of beauty to watch, no doubt. But the numbers are a thing of beauty in their own right. Hampton will be Kentucky's first victim in the Round of 64.
Highlighted Player: Tyler Ulis
We all talk about the great Kentucky bigs, but at 5'9" and 155 pounds, Ulis could be, pound for pound, the most influential player on the court. On the season, Ulis is averaging 1.5 steals per 40 minutes, possesses a Defensive Rating of 90.0 and, despite playing just 23.5 minutes per game, has tallied 1.8 Defensive Win Shares. He's been even better in his last three games, averaging 2.0 steals per game in 30 minutes of action.
