Defense wins championships. As we turn the page to 2026, these are some of the best teams on the defensive end.
These Are the Toughest Defenses in College Basketball Right Now
Here are the top five defenses in all of college basketball:
5. West Virginia Mountaineers (60.2 points allowed per game)
West Virginia has leaned fully into defense as its calling card. The Mountaineers have allowed 80 or more points just once all season, a game against Ohio State where the Buckeyes reached 89. Outside of that outing, West Virginia has consistently held opponents in check, recently allowing 38, 49, 58, and 51 points in consecutive wins.
That defensive foundation will be tested immediately. Big 12 play opens on the road in Ames against Iowa State, one of the most complete teams in the country. If the Mountaineers can maintain this defensive level, they will stay competitive deep into conference play.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes (60.1 points allowed per game)
This Iowa team looks far different from past versions. The Hawkeyes are allowing just 60.1 points per game and have tightened the screws defensively as the season has progressed. In their last three wins, Iowa held opponents to 51, 39, and 62 points.
Their losses have come against elite competition, giving up 71 points to Michigan State and 66 to Iowa State. Iowa remains at home for a fourth straight game against UCLA before a demanding road stretch that includes trips to Minnesota, Purdue, and Indiana.
3. Houston Cougars (60.0 points allowed per game)
Kelvin Sampson’s teams are built on defensive discipline, and this year is no exception. Houston is allowing exactly 60 points per game and has held opponents to 60 or fewer in three of its last six contests during a six-game winning streak.
The Cougars’ lone loss came when they surrendered 76 points to Tennessee. With the offense averaging nearly 79 points per game, Houston does not need to be perfect defensively. Keeping teams in the mid-60s is more than enough for the Cougars to win consistently. Big 12 play begins on the road at Cincinnati.
2. Northern Iowa Panthers (57.3 points allowed per game)
Northern Iowa has quietly become one of the most difficult teams in the country to score against. The Panthers are allowing just over 57 points per game and have opened conference play with back-to-back wins while giving up only 51 points per contest.
Even in losses, the defense has traveled. Northern Iowa allowed 63 points to Tulsa, 74 to Wichita State, and 63 to Saint Mary’s. That consistency reflects the program’s identity under Coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers remain at home on New Year’s Day against Indiana State.
1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (56.1 points allowed per game)
Louisiana Tech currently owns the nation’s best scoring defense. The Bulldogs have allowed more than 60 points just four times in 12 games and recently gave up 63 in a win over UTEP, slightly raising their season average.
Out of Conference USA, Louisiana Tech has positioned itself as a serious contender alongside Liberty and New Mexico State. The Bulldogs head on the road next for matchups at Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky, where their defensive discipline will again be on display.
Why Defense Still Wins When It Matters Most
Elite defense travels, especially when games slow down and possessions become scarce. Every team on this list has shown it can win low-scoring games, protect leads, and stay composed when shots are not falling. As conference races heat up and March approaches, these defensive identities will be tested. History suggests that teams who guard at this level are rarely far from the final weekend.