As March approaches, college basketball analysts are focusing on key trends, particularly rim defense, which has become a critical factor in team performance.

Current top high-major teams excelling in rim defense include Tennessee, UConn, and Arizona, with impressive percentages of 46.9%, 49.2%, and 49.5%, respectively.

In the race for a 1-seed, teams like Auburn, Houston, and Florida are also showcasing elite rim defenses, making them formidable contenders.

Conversely, teams struggling with rim defense this season include Notre Dame and Purdue, with percentages of 67.3% and 64.4%, which could hinder their tournament success.

Purdue's defense has faced challenges, allowing over 72% shooting at the rim against certain players, despite implementing strategies to limit rim attempts in half-court play.

St. John's recent upset of UConn highlighted their strong defensive performance, particularly during a critical stretch where UConn managed only one point in 11 possessions.

Kansas State has shown a remarkable turnaround after a rough start, now shooting 43% from three-point range and winning five consecutive games.

However, Texas Tech, despite being a strong contender, may face regression due to a notable positive shooting gap compared to their opponents.

Mid-major teams such as UC Irvine, VCU, and George Mason are also being recognized for their strong rim protection as the NCAA tournament approaches.

UCLA's rim defense has seen significant improvement with the addition of 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, who effectively limits opponents' shooting percentage at the rim.

Houston's defense remains top-ranked, with potential for further improvement as they face rising three-point shooting from opponents.

Notably, teams from last year's tournament that struggled with rim defense included Baylor, Wisconsin, BYU, and Purdue, who all made it to the National Championship.