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The top 25 teams in the KenPom ratings to start 2023-24 season

Zack Pearson
·7 min read

The 2023-24 college basketball season is just around the corner as we have hit under three weeks until tipoff. As the calendar gets set to flip to November, we will soon have college basketball on our screens.

And as we continue to prepare for the season, it’s awards and polls season for the sport.

With that, the initial KenPom rankings for the 2023-24 season have officially been released. Every year, Ken Pomeroy puts out his advanced analysis of college basketball, rating every team on key statistics.

The KenPom rankings measure several things like adjusted efficiency measure which factor in adjusted offensive efficiency and adjusted defensive efficiency to produce a ranking. The offensive number is measured by points scored per 100 possessions and points allowed per 100 possessions. Both of those stats are adjusted by opponent.

It also measures things like adjusted tempo, luck and strength of schedule, giving fans some unique ratings to follow all season long.

Let’s take a look at where the teams ran in the Top 25 for the initial KenPom ratings for the 2023-24 season.

21-25

25. Kansas State Wildcats

Adjusted efficiency margin: +18.57

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +107.3 (37th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.7 (17th)

24. Texas A&M Aggies

Adjusted efficiency margin: +18.63

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.5 (27th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.9 (27th)

23. Villanova Wildcats

Adjusted efficiency margin: +18.74

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +110.6 (13th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +91.8 (44th)

22. Maryland Terrapins

Adjusted efficiency margin: +18.95

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.8 (20th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.9 (29th)

21. USC Trojans

Adjusted efficiency margin: +19.76

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.6 (25th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.9 (19th)

20. Wisconsin Badgers

Mar 28, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on during the first half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/north-texas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:North Texas Mean Green;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">North Texas Mean Green</a> at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +20.01

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.2 (31st)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.2 (13th)

For more on Wisconsin, please check out Badgers Wire

19. Illinois Fighting Illini

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/arkansas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Arkansas Razorbacks;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +20.16

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +109.3 (18th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.2 (21st)

 

18. Kentucky Wildcats

Dec 31, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari claps during the first half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/louisville/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Louisville Cardinals;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Louisville Cardinals</a> at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +20.30

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +111.2 (10th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +90.9 (35th)

 

17. North Carolina Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team during their game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/james-madison/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:James Madison Dukes;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">James Madison Dukes</a> at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 20, 2022 in Chapel Hill, <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/n-carolina/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:North Carolina;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">North Carolina</a>. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Adjusted efficiency margin: +20.65

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +110.0 (15th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.4 (24th)

 

16. Texas Longhorns

Mar 26, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Rodney Terry reacts to officials in the game against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half at the T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Rodney Terry reacts to officials in the game against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half at the T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +20.78

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.4 (30th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +87.6 (6th)

For more on Texas, check out Longhorns Wire

15. Auburn Tigers

Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his team as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his team as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

Adjusted efficiency margin: +21.02

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +109.6 (16th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.6 (15th)

For more on Auburn, please check out Auburn Wire

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman reacts after a play against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/connecticut/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:UConn Huskies;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">UConn Huskies</a> during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +21.36

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +109.3 (19th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +87.9 (9th)

For more on Arkansas, check out Razorbacks Wire

13. Michigan State Spartans

Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts from the sideline in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts from the sideline in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +21.56

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +109.5 (17th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.0 (10th)

For more on Michigan State, please check out Spartans Wire

12. Creighton Bluejays

Mar 24, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott celebrates after defeating the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/princeton/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Princeton Tigers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Princeton Tigers</a> in the NCAA tournament round of sixteen at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +22.10

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +110.8 (11th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.7 (18th)

11. Marquette Golden Eagles

Feb 16, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart during the game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/georgetown/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Georgetown Hoyas;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Georgetown Hoyas</a> at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +22.17

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +112.0 (6th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.9 (28th)

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

Oct 18, 2023; Brimingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with the media during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2023; Brimingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with the media during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +22.43

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +110.5 (14th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.0 (11th)

9. Duke Blue Devils

Feb 15, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils associate head coach Jon Scheyer gestures during the second half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/wake-forest/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Wake Forest Demon Deacons;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Wake Forest Demon Deacons</a> at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +22.57

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +111.9 (7th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.3 (22nd)

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes works the bench against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/florida-atlantic/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Florida Atlantic Owls;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Florida Atlantic Owls</a> in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +22.83

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +108.0 (33rd)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +85.2 (2nd)

7. Baylor Bears

Mar 19, 2023; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/denver/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Denver;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Denver</a>, CO, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew looks on in the first half against the Creighton Bluejays at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +23.13

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +112.1 (5th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.0 (20th)

6. Arizona Wildcats

Mar 16, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts during the second half at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts during the second half at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +23.27

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +112.6 (4th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.4 (23rd)

5. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Mar 19, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few reacts in the first half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/tcu/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:TCU Horned Frogs;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">TCU Horned Frogs</a> at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +25.38

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +114.9 (1st)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +89.6 (26th)

4. UConn Huskies

Dec 10, 2022; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the Long Island Sharks in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2022; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the Long Island Sharks in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +25.53

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +111.8 (8th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +86.3 (4th)

3. Houston Cougars

Mar 24, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +26.10

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +112.7 (3rd)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +86.6 (5th)

2. Kansas Jayhawks

Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self and the bench reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half during the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self and the bench reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half during the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +26.31

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +111.3 (9th)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +85.0 (1st)

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Mar 11, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter directs his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter directs his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Adjusted efficiency margin: +26.63

Adjusted offensive efficiency: +114.9 (2nd)

Adjusted defensive efficiency: +88.3 (14th)

Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire