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Offensive excellence has been the Wildcats’ trademark during Tommy Lloyd’s three-plus seasons as head coach. They’ve never finished worse than sixth nationally in points per game.

But offense isn’t the calling card of this particular team. It’s not its biggest strength. It’s not its core identity. It’s not the main reason ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is tied for first place in the Big 12 at 11-1 entering Tuesday night’s game at Kansas State.

This is Lloyd’s toughest team. It’s his most defensive-minded team. It’s his grittiest team.

And maybe, just maybe, those qualities will propel the Wildcats deeper into March than any previous Lloyd-coached team.

Postseason play is still over a month away, and a lot can change between now and then. But you have to like what you’ve seen so far.

The Big 12 presented a new challenge — night after night of physical, intense, grueling basketball — and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has risen to it. The Wildcats have dismissed any notion that their free-flowing, West Coast style wouldn’t play in the rugged Big 12.

“I’ve always thought we’re a physical program,â€� Lloyd said after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s 82-73 win over then-No. 13 Texas Tech on Saturday night at McKale Center.

“There’s different levels to the physicality, Houston probably being at the top of the list. I love physical basketball. It’s nothing we ever shy away from.

“But I also know, in this conference, you gotta be built for it. And if you’re not, you’re gonna get crushed on the glass. You’re gonna get crushed physically. You can’t wilt on your drives.�

The Wildcats got crushed on the glass the last time they faced the Red Raiders. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s minus-16 rebounding differential was its worst mark of the season. It’s no coincidence that’s the only Big 12 game ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has dropped.

After the rematch — during which the Wildcats had a plus-13 rebounding margin — Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland couldn’t stop raving about the UA’s physicality.

“ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was more physical than us in every way,â€� McCasland said. “Just the way they pushed it in transition, the way they got it into the paint and scored at the basket through us, the way they bullied us with their defense, pushing all the catches out, their activity on the ball, their physicality and rebounding, their offensive rebounding and scoring in the paint. They basically beat us in every area.

“They played with such great force over the course of the game.�

We’ve seen some version of Bully Ball during Lloyd’s first three seasons. He always has emphasized scoring in the paint. He often has played lineups featuring two big men. Seven-footers Christian Koloko and Oumar Ballo made their presence felt around the basket.

Now that Bully Ball mentality has permeated the rotation.

Each of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s six best players — Jaden Bradley, Caleb Love, KJ Lewis, Henri Veesaar, Tobe Awaka and Carter Bryant — is a defensive asset in some form or fashion.

The UA is the only team that has two players in the top 12 in blocks and steals in conference games. Veesaar is sixth in blocks per game (1.7), and Bryant is tied for 10th (1.3); Bradley is tied for fifth in steals per game (1.8), and Love is tied for seventh (1.7).

As a team, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is tied for first in conference games with Iowa State with 157 “stocksâ€� — steals plus blocks. Houston was third with 149 entering its game vs. Baylor on Monday night. No one else has more than 134.

Veesaar, Lewis, Bryant, Love and Bradley all have at least 23 stocks in Big 12 play. Awaka has only 14, but he’s fourth in the league in rebounding (8.0) in conference games.

The Wildcats lead the league in rebounding margin at plus-7.9. They’re third in conference games at plus-4.0, trailing Houston (which comes to McKale Center on Saturday) and Kansas.

“You have guys like JB and KJ, they’re scrappy,� Lloyd said. “Caleb’s defense these last couple games has been supreme. Tobe, I don’t know if he’s scrappy or thumpy or whatever you want to call it, but he’s something when he brings it.

“And Henri really responded. These guys punked Henri last game. We challenged Henri, and he was there for the fight.�

Veesaar lacks Awaka’s bulk but plays with nonstop energy, effort and desire. After being a nonfactor in the first meeting with Texas Tech (zero points, two rebounds in 16 minutes), Veesaar brought it in Round 2. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in a season-high 30 minutes. He also challenged and affected an untold number of shots.

Love wasn’t credited with a block or steal, but his improvement on defense this season has been noticeable. Often assigned to one of the opponent’s top scorers, Love is making an impact even in games when his own shot isn’t dropping.

“Phenomenal defender,� Bradley said. “Coach has challenged him to pick his defensive energy up. Even though it doesn’t show (in) steals or anything, it’s contesting shots, being in the passing lanes, taking away passes.�

Love helped set the tone in the opening minutes when he dove on the floor for a loose ball, snatched it and tossed it to Bradley, who sped away from the Red Raiders for a dunk.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has turned its season around despite Love not really turning around his — at least from an offensive standpoint. Although he leads the team in scoring in Big 12 play, Love is shooting just 37.2% from the floor.

The Wildcats are finding ways to win whether Love is hot or not. Love, in turn, is finding ways to help them win.

In discussing the team’s turnaround — from 4-5 to 17-6 and No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 — Lloyd used some version of “rolled up our sleeves� four times.

It’s the perfect metaphor for a team that works and plays hard on both ends of the court.