The emphasis on defense in the NCAA tournament is reflected in the lower three-point shooting percentages. Teams are putting more effort into stopping their opponents from making threes, rather than relying on their own three-point shooting to win games.

This is further supported by the fact that the top five teams in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, have all made the sweet 16. On the other hand, only two of the top five teams in offensive efficiency made it to the sweet 16. This suggests that teams with strong defensive strategies are more successful in the NCAA tournament than those with strong offensive strategies.

In recent years, there has been a growing realization that defense plays a crucial role in basketball success, and this trend is reflected in the NCAA tournament. Teams that excel at defense create problems for their opponents, which in turn creates opportunities for their own team to score.

While the three-point shooting has been a key focus at the youth level, there is now a renewed emphasis on developing strong defensive skills. As the game evolves, it is becoming increasingly clear that a strong defense is an essential component of winning basketball.

Houston, Tennessee, and UCLA boast impressive defensive prowess, ranking second, fourth, and seventh in the country, respectively. These formidable teams have allowed only 56.52, 57.45, and 60.13 points per game, demonstrating their tenacity and skill on the court. With such impressive defensive performances, opponents will have their work cut out for them when facing these powerhouse teams in the Sweet Sixteen.