March is coming, so this week’s 10 Trends is centered around an angle that a champion leaned on, the runner-up utilized differently and an area that conveniently coincided with numerous early-round exits.
Let’s dive in:
1. Elite high-major rim defenses
UConn, armed with Donovan Clingan, leaned on the best rim defense in the sport all the way to the National Championship last year. Dan Hurley welcomed opponents to try and attack the basket, and Cling Kong usually sent ’em packing.
The second weekend was also littered with teams with dominant rim defenses like Clemson, North Carolina, Houston, Tennessee and Creighton.
So, who are the top 10, high-major rim defenses so far this year?
Tennessee: 46.9%UConn: 49.2%Arizona: 49.5%San Diego State: 49.5% (the Aztecs are a high-major-caliber team; argue with a wall.)Saint Mary’s: 49.8% (the Gaels are a high-major-caliber team; argue with a wall.)Auburn: 50%Illinois: 50.3%Houston: 50.6%Georgetown: 50.7%Florida: 50.9%
I do not think it’s a coincidence that Auburn (tracking for a 1-seed), Houston (tracking for a 1-seed) and Florida (pushing for a 1-seed) all boast elite rim defenses.
Some mid-major programs with outstanding rim protection that could make major noise in the Big Dance, include: UC Irvine, VCU and George Mason.
Selection Sunday is less than five weeks away. I’ll be backing those teams with outstanding rim defenses in my bracket.
You can catch San Diego State’s elite rim defense in Saturday’s Mountain West rivalry game against Boise State (10 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and streaming on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App).
2. Leaky high-major rim defenses
Here were some of the notable tournament teams last year who struggled with rim defense:
No. 3 seed Baylor: bounced in the Round of 32No. 5 seed Wisconsin: bounced in the Round of 64No. 6 seed BYU: bounced in the Round of 64No. 1 seed Purdue: advanced to the National…..
