NCAA Basketball: Power ranking top 10 team defenses of 2022-23 season
By Mark Remsa
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights have steadily improved their defense under head coach Steve Pikiell since his arrival to the program in 2016. This season might be the best defensive team of his tenure as his team is leading the Big Ten in almost every defensive category.
Rutgers is holding their opponents to 60.0 points per game (7th nationally) while forcing opponents to shoot 39.0% from the field (9th nationally) and 29.7% from 3-point range (18th nationally). The Scarlet Knights also force 15.31 turnovers per game (36th nationally) and generate 9.2 steals per game (16th nationally).
Rutgers big man Cliff Omoruyi is averaging 2.08 blocks per game (23rd nationally) and grabbing 9.8 rebounds per game (15th nationally). The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell leads the team in steals with 2.52 steals per game (6th nationally) while his partner in crime Cam Spencer is averaging 2.31 steals per game (14th nationally).
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide are rolling this season and they are getting it done by playing elite defense in the half-court.
Alabama leads the nation in rebounding (44.38 rebounds per game) and defensive rebounding (31.88 rebounds per game). The Crimson Tide also ranks 2nd nationally in 3-point percentage defense (26.3% per game) and 3rd nationally in field goal percentage defense (37% per game). The Crimson Tide are 22nd nationally with 5.0 blocks per game.
Alabama’s defense is led by Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney. Both Miller and Clowney have accounted for 414 total rebounds this year while Miller is averaging 6.42 defensive rebounds per game (2nd in the SEC) and Clowney is averaging 6.00 rebounds per game (3rd in the SEC).