Best Way to Pick Final Four Teams? Look at Ken Pomeroy's Defensive Efficiency Numbers

Of the last 20 Final Four teams …

* 9 of 20 (45%) have been in Ken Pom’s Top 5 for defensive efficiency
* 16 of 20 (80%) have been in Ken Pom’s Top 20 for defensive efficiency
* 18 of 20 (90%) have been in Ken Pom’s Top 30 for defensive efficiency

This is good news for Louisville, Florida, Wisconsin, Stephen F. Austin and Georgetown, who are all in the Top 5 right now.

Miami, Kansas, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State and New Mexico round out the Top 10.

Best teams outside the Top 20? Duke (23), Gonzaga (24), Michigan (43), Butler (64), Notre Dame (112) and NC State (132).

Indiana, widely considered the best team in the country, is 13th.

Final Four teams over the last five years, followed by then Ken Pom defensive efficiency rating:

2012
Kentucky – 9
Louisville – 1
Kansas – 4
Ohio State – 2

2011
Connecticut – 14
Butler – 49
Kentucky – 15
VCU – 86

2010
Duke – 4
Butler – 5
West Virginia – 22
Michigan State – 30

2009
North Carolina – 16
Michigan State – 10
Connecticut – 3
Villanova – 15

2008
Kansas – 1
Memphis – 4
North Carolina – 19
UCLA – 3