KenPom also predicts that Houston will win the Big 12 by two full games. Doing this would make the Cougars a lock for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament — if not the top overall seed. Right now, Houston also ranks first in NET. Additionally, Houston is tied with Purdue and UConn with a 7-2 record against Quad I teams while being undefeated outside of Quad I.
Houston has an absolutely elite defense. Not only does Houston’s defense leads the nation in adjusted efficiency rating, but there’s also a massive gap between the Cougars’ No. 1 defense and Tennessee’s No. 2 defense. Last year, the gap between the No. 1 and No. 2 defenses in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency was 0.5. In 2022, it was 1.3. This year, it’s 6.4. Add this to the way Houston dominates on the glass, and you’ll see that this team is built to win in March.
