Illinois' defense, net efficiency of top seeds Michigan and Arizona stand out entering Final Four
Offense had stood out all season for Illinois, only for the defense to step up in March Madness. Arizona and Michigan have been part of college basketball's top tier all year with elite play at both ends of the court, and they've been even sharper at the offensive end in the NCAA Tournament. Now that trio joins UConn for this week's Final Four in Indianapolis.
Offense had stood out all season for Illinois, only for the defense to step up in March Madness . Arizona and Michigan have been part of college basketball's top tier all year with elite play at both ends of the court, and they've been even sharper at the offensive end in the NCAA Tournament. Now that trio joins UConn for this week's Final Four in Indianapolis.
The Huskies and Illini meet in Saturday’s first semifinal, followed by the Wolverines and Wildcats. All four teams rank in the overall top 10 of data-driven college basketball rankings for KenPom , Evan Miyakawa and Bart Torvik going into the Final Four. That includes the Wolverines and Wildcats ranking 1-2 for all three currently, as well as posting some of KenPom's best net-efficiency rankings ever recorded.
Illini's defense Illinois (28-8) entered the NCAA tourney ranked second in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency by averaging 131. 2 points per 100 possessions while ranking just 28th in defense (99. 1).
Yet the South Region champion's defense has allowed . 976 points per possession in the NCAA Tournament to lead the remaining four teams. “We’ve been very good throughout the season at times,” coach Brad Underwood said before the regional final win against Iowa .
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