So, based on a conversation I had, I thought it would be interesting to look at the #1 Offensive Team in the country (based on points per 100 possessions) and the #1 Defensive Team in the country (same qualifications) over the last 15 years. How did the teams perform, and overall, which team performed better (FYI, Duke is #1 offense right now, Virginia is #1 defense).

 

2017:

#1 Offense -- Oklahoma State. Scored 126.0. #10 seed. Lost to Michigan in NCAA 1st round.

#1 Defense -- Gonzaga. Gave up 86.3. #1 seed. National Runner-Up / Final Four.

 

2016:

#1 Offense -- UNC. Scored 124.4. #1 seed. National Runner-Up / Final Four.

#1 Defense -- Wichita State. Gave up 88.7. #11 seed. Lost in Sweet 16 to Miami (FL).

 

2015:

#1 Offense -- Wisconsin. Scored 129.0. #1 seed. National Runner-Up / Final Four.

#1 Defense -- UK. Gave up 84.4. #1 seed. Final Four.

 

2014:

#1 Offense -- Duke. Scored 124.7. #3 seed. Lost to Mercer in NCAA 1st round.

#1 Defense -- Arizona. Gave up 86.4. #1 seed. Lost to Wisconsin in Elite 8.

 

2013:

#1 Offense -- Michigan. Scored 121.9. #4 seed. National Runner-Up / Final Four.

#1 Defense -- UL. Gave up 84.8. #1 seed. National Champion / Final Four.

 

2012:

#1 Offense -- Missouri. Scored 125.1. #2 seed. Lost to Norfolk State in NCAA 1st Round.

#1 Defense -- UL. Gave up 85.5. #4 seed. Final Four.

 

2011:

#1 Offense -- Ohio State. Scored 125.0. #1 seed. Lost to UK in the Sweet 16.

#1 Defense -- Florida State. Gave up 87.7. #10 seed. Lost to VCU in the Sweet 16.

 

2010:

#1 Offense -- Duke. Scored 121.0. #1 seed. National Champion / Final Four.

#1 Defense -- USC. Gave up 86.1. No Tourney.

 

2009:

#1 Offense -- UNC. Scored 123.2. #1 seed. National Champion / Final Four.

#1 Defense -- Memphis. Gave up 84.2. #2 seed. Lost to Missouri in Sweet 16.

 

2008:

#1 Offense -- UNC. Scored 122.1. #1 seed. Final Four.

#1 Defense -- Kansas. Gave up 85.7. #1 seed. National Champion / Final Four

 

2007:

#1 Offense -- Florida. Scored 122.8. #1 seed. National Champion / Final Four

#1 Defense -- Kansas. Gave up 87.5. #1 seed. Lost to UCLA in the Elite 8.

 

2006:

#1 Offense -- Duke. Scored 119.4. #1 seed. Lost to LSU in Sweet 16.

#1 Defense -- Iowa. Gave up 85.6. #3 seed. Lost to Northwestern State in NCAA 1st Round.

 

2005:

#1 Offense -- Wake Forest. Scored 124.3. #2 seed. Lost to West Virginia in NCAA 2nd Round.

#1 Defense -- Washington State. Gave up 86.9. No Tourney.

 

2004:

#1 Offense -- Wake Forest. Scored 121.6. #4 seed. Lost to St. Joe's in the Sweet 16.

#1 Defense -- UL. Gave up 86.6. #10 seed. Lost to Xavier in NCAA 1st Round.

 

2003:

#1 Offense -- Georgia. Scored 120.9. Withdrew from the post-season.

#1 Defense -- Mississippi State. Gave up 85.8. #5 seed. Lost to Butler in NCAA 1st Round.

Louisville was really the #1 defense in 2012? I would've bet a truck load of money that Kentucky team with MKG & AD was.

Louisville was really the #1 defense in 2012? I would've bet a truck load of money that Kentucky team with MKG & AD was.

UK was 7th...have the truck delivered on Saturday. :jump:

There is nothing worse than watching UVA basketball. Kenpom LOVES them though.

I was curious where all these 120+ point games were happening until I actually read the OP.

 

Seems you need to be really good at scoring or preventing it to win in March. Who'da thunk it?

 

Also, look at Duke and that puny 119.

Louisville was really the #1 defense in 2012? I would've bet a truck load of money that Kentucky team with MKG & AD was.

 

In head to head UK showed they were the best defense that year.

Great info. Would not have thought that it would have been so balanced.