🎯 Top 25 by Net Efficiency – Key Insights
🏆 The Elite Tier (Net > +0.550)
1. Michigan – The clear #1, and one of only TWO teams with both elite offense AND elite defense. They also have the biggest home court advantage in the country (+7.7%). Play fast (39.2 poss/game) and dominate on both ends.
2. Arizona – The most consistent team (lowest uncertainty). Elite defense with very good offense. Third-fastest pace (37.9) – they run you out of the gym AND lock you down.
3–5. Duke, Houston, Iowa State – All built on defense first. Houston has the best defense in the nation. These teams grind opponents down.
6. Illinois – The #1 offense but “only” #6 overall because their defense isn’t elite. One of just two teams with a truly elite offense + defense combo.
📊 Surprising Patterns
Defense dominates the top 25 – 12 teams have elite defense vs only 3 with elite offense.
The formula: get stops first, then worry about scoring.
Pace extremes matter:
• Alabama (#23): Fastest pace (39.8 poss/game) – run & gun, score in transition
• Iowa (#20): Slowest pace (29.7 poss/game) – grind it out, limit possessions
Home Court Kings: Michigan’s +7.7% HCA is massive – that’s like starting every home game up 6–7 points.
Style diversity:
• 9 teams play fast (>36 poss)
• 4 teams slow it down (<32 poss)
• 10 teams are balanced pace
🔥 Notable Teams
Purdue (#10): Slowest of the elite teams (31.5 pace) – they execute in the half court.
Gonzaga (#9): Still in top 10 despite “down year” chatter – defense carrying them.
Arkansas (#15): Third-best offense but mediocre defense keeps them out of top 10.
Virginia (#21): Classic UVA – good defense, methodical pace (32.4).
🏆 The Elite Tier (Net > +0.550)
1. Michigan – The clear #1, and one of only TWO teams with both elite offense AND elite defense. They also have the biggest home court advantage in the country (+7.7%). Play fast (39.2 poss/game) and dominate on both ends.
2. Arizona – The most consistent team (lowest uncertainty). Elite defense with very good offense. Third-fastest pace (37.9) – they run you out of the gym AND lock you down.
3–5. Duke, Houston, Iowa State – All built on defense first. Houston has the best defense in the nation. These teams grind opponents down.
6. Illinois – The #1 offense but “only” #6 overall because their defense isn’t elite. One of just two teams with a truly elite offense + defense combo.
📊 Surprising Patterns
Defense dominates the top 25 – 12 teams have elite defense vs only 3 with elite offense.
The formula: get stops first, then worry about scoring.
Pace extremes matter:
• Alabama (#23): Fastest pace (39.8 poss/game) – run & gun, score in transition
• Iowa (#20): Slowest pace (29.7 poss/game) – grind it out, limit possessions
Home Court Kings: Michigan’s +7.7% HCA is massive – that’s like starting every home game up 6–7 points.
Style diversity:
• 9 teams play fast (>36 poss)
• 4 teams slow it down (<32 poss)
• 10 teams are balanced pace
🔥 Notable Teams
Purdue (#10): Slowest of the elite teams (31.5 pace) – they execute in the half court.
Gonzaga (#9): Still in top 10 despite “down year” chatter – defense carrying them.
Arkansas (#15): Third-best offense but mediocre defense keeps them out of top 10.
Virginia (#21): Classic UVA – good defense, methodical pace (32.4).