College Basketball's Top Contenders Exceed Key Metrics

Elite teams shine in KenPom's offensive and defensive efficiency rankings as conference tournaments begin.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:07pm

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As March Madness approaches, the top college basketball teams are showing their strength on both ends of the floor according to the respected KenPom analytics. Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida rank in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency, putting them in elite company historically among NCAA Tournament contenders. However, the number of teams meeting this high bar has dropped, with only Houston currently ranking in the top 25 for both metrics.

Why it matters

KenPom's ratings have proven to be a reliable predictor of success in the NCAA Tournament, with teams excelling on both offense and defense typically making deep runs. The shrinking pool of teams meeting this standard suggests the field may be more wide open this year, with fewer juggernauts emerging from the regular season.

The details

Duke has risen to the top of the KenPom rankings, ranking 5th in offensive efficiency and 1st in defensive efficiency. Michigan, Arizona, and Florida round out the top 4, all ranking in the top 10 for both metrics. However, the number of teams meeting this lofty benchmark has dropped, with only Houston currently in the top 25 for both offensive and defensive efficiency.

  • The high-major conference tournaments are underway, setting the stage for Selection Sunday on March 17.
  • KenPom's data is current through 19 weeks of the 2025-26 college basketball season.

The players

Duke

The Blue Devils are the top-ranked team in the KenPom ratings, leading the nation in defensive efficiency and ranking 5th in offensive efficiency.

Michigan

The Wolverines remain in the top 5 of both the offensive and defensive efficiency metrics, sitting at #2 overall in the KenPom rankings.

Arizona

The Wildcats are 3rd overall in the KenPom ratings, anchored by a 3rd-ranked defense to go with their 7th-ranked offense.

Florida

The Gators have surged into the top 10 of both offensive and defensive efficiency, earning the 4th spot in the overall KenPom rankings.

Houston

The Cougars are the lone team currently ranked in the top 25 for both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom.

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What’s next

The high-major conference tournaments will continue throughout the week, with Selection Sunday set for March 17 when the full NCAA Tournament field is revealed.

The takeaway

As the postseason approaches, the shrinking pool of teams meeting KenPom's high bar for both offensive and defensive efficiency suggests the 2026 NCAA Tournament could be more wide open than usual, with fewer clear-cut national title favorites emerging from the regular season.