College Basketball Defensive Dominators and Top Defensive Teams

The final weeks of the regular season will decide and produce college basketball conference champions and set the stage for post season tournaments and March Madness. The AP Top 25 teams draw more headlines, as I updated in Forbes this week, but also provides some opportunities in the final weeks games and early conference tournament action to identify some over-valued teams that are not as good as their profile or play suggests. That's where we chip-in our update on college basketball's defensive dominators and top defensive teams that can provide the level of play and consistency you're looking for when placing your bets at the leading online sportsbooks on the most watched and wagered games in the month ahead and through the NCAA Tournament. 

By now we know who the stronger teams are and a majority of major conference teams that will be playing in the post season and NCAA Tournament. Second meet situations become more intense as some teams meet again in the closing weeks, including No. 6 Alabama at No. 1 Auburn on the final weekend March 8 after No. 1 Auburn beat No. 2 Alabama 94-85 on Feb. 15.

The oddsmakers and top online sportsbooks continue to adjust the numbers and power ratings as teams play with need to make the NCAA Tournament late in the season and into the upcoming conference tournaments. The tax on some teams in the betting market is real, and it's up to you to not only to find the best odds to increase your chances of winning, but to identify teams that are motivated and playing better as a cohesive unit. Some losing teams may be 'tossing the towel', but conference tournaments also provide one-bid leagues one last opportunity to make a run to the NCAA Tournament. There is much to consider, but no doubt some of the bigger games are ahead for teams in conference tournament races and others on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament bid.  

As I provide some of the standings, key games and conferences and teams that will be in the NCAA Tournament, you, the bettor and self-handicapper, can use some of these tools and defensive stats to help you as the sportsbooks and oddsmakers adjust the numbers, odds and power ratings as teams go through their own momentum swings and adjustments.

Bet on March Madness at one of these Elite-rated sportsbooks!

Top Defensive Teams 

Teams that play solid defense and show improvement will often be teams you can count on, and that's the case for a number of teams in the SEC, which has taken the mantle of the top conference in college basketball this season. Being able to adjust to various styles of play and more scoring makes the stronger defensive teams often a better bet. After all, in looking at my stats recap from just 5 years ago ahead of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, there were just three teams averaging 83 points per game or more on offense (shot clock reduction). Now there are 11 teams this season including five teams in the SEC led by Alabama (91.5) with other SEC teams Kentucky (85.6), Auburn (85.1), Missouri (84.3) and Florida (83.6). 

The stats below are season-long numbers and it's up to you to dig deeper into a team's stat profile and recognize schedules and opponents faced, home/road splits, player injury impact, motivational factors and other scheduling, stats and situations including quality coaching. 

Through February 27, 2025 here are the top defensive teams in college basketball with the following parameters: 

 - Allow 42% or less field goal percentage
 - Allow 33% or less shooting from behind the 3-point arc
 - Allow 68 points or less per game 

I've also noted how these defensive dominators do in rebounding the basketball and provided their Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Rating from KenPom (364 teams).

Also, some teams not on the list are solid defensive teams and may also have positive coaching profiles. These teams just miss qualifying in various categories with 3-point or scoring defense a lacking stat profile, but they still rank top-60 in adjusted defensive efficiency:

Iowa State (33.7% 3-point), Arizona (70 PPG), Creighton (68.2 PPG), Kent State (68.1 PG), San Francisco (43 PPG).

Use some of these stat profiles as a guide when handicapping the rest of the college basketball season along with the college conference tournaments (CCT's), NCAA Tournament, NIT and other post-season tournaments.

With the Madness already starting with some buzzer beaters for wins this week including a beyond half-court winner by Michigan State, the closing two weeks of the regular season and conference tournaments along with March Madness are expected to produce major watch and wager action. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper, and provides his insights and contributions to the sports betting industry - tout free. His insightful analysis and reporting comes from 20+ years living in Las Vegas and pursuing his passions while maintaining a pulse on the sports, betting and poker industries. Read more great insights from FairwayJay here at OSGA, and follow him on X: @FairwayJay