Geno Embraces Comparison to UCLA Minus Lew Alcindor

[Wbbfan1]

Auriemma embraces Huskies' comparison to Alcindor-less UCLA Bruins

 

[Gus Mahler]

This analogy occurred to me some time ago. Wooden called it (and the '71 team) "The Team Without," as it was between the careers of Alcindor and Walton. The best part of the analogy is that each team, though having lost great players, was not bereft of talent. It was a matter of becoming a team.

 

[bags27]

really, really good.

Gotta say: "Gabby and Pheesa remind me of Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe, two 6-foot-8 forwards on the men's side that are a little bit undersized

what a world when a 6'8" forward is "undersized"

 

[Gus Mahler]

really, really good.

Gotta say: "Gabby and Pheesa remind me of Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe, two 6-foot-8 forwards on the men's side that are a little bit undersized

what a world when a 6'8" forward is "undersized"

Actually, I don't think Rowe was even 6-8. Great player in college.

 

[Carnac]

Actually, I don't think Rowe was even 6-8. Great player in college.

He wasn't. He was 6'7", Wicks was 6'8". They were both local (Los Angeles) kids. Rowe came out of Fremont High School, Wicks from Hamilton High.
Watched them a lot during their time at UCLA. My, what a tandem.
Personal information for Curtis Rowe:

Born July 2, 1949 (age 67)
Bessemer, Alabama
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school John C. Fremont
(Los Angeles, California)
College UCLA (1968–1971)
NBA draft 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career 1971–1979
Position Power forward
Number 18, 41
Career history
1971–1976 Detroit Pistons
1976–1979 Boston Celtics

Personal information for Sydney Wicks:

Born September 19, 1949 (age 67)
Los Angeles, California
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school Alexander Hamilton
(Los Angeles, California)
College

• Santa Monica (1967–1968)
• UCLA (1968–1971)

NBA draft 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career 1971–1982
Position Power forward
Number 21, 12
Career history
1971–1976 Portland Trail Blazers
1976–1978 Boston Celtics
1978–1981 San Diego Clippers
1981–1982 Reyer Venezia Mestre

 

[Checkmate]

UCLA was rebuilding they only had 5 players that played in the NBA.

Also, keep in mind freshman were ineligible, so they had a year to develop before they played Varsity.

 

[ballhawk]

I've thought of the comparison between UConn and UCLA but I was thinking of the 1975 UCLA team. Walton had graduated and Dave Meyers was the only returning starter. At UConn, Stewie had graduated and Lou was the only returning starter. UCLA was not expected to win a championship. Led by Meyers, Richard Washington and Marques Johnson, UCLA compiled a 23-3 regular season record and won the national championship. This was one of Wooden's favorite teams. And if UConn ultimately wins a national championship, and, maybe, even if it doesn't, this will be one of Geno's favorite teams and, I believe, his most surprisingly successful.

 

[MilfordHusky]

This is interesting. I commented the same thing to Eric--this team resembles a UCLA team without a Walton/Alcindor superstar that is well coached and quick.

 

[j66kicker]

I've thought of the comparison between UConn and UCLA but I was thinking of the 1975 UCLA team. Walton had graduated and Dave Meyers was the only returning starter. At UConn, Stewie had graduated and Lou was the only returning starter. UCLA was not expected to win a championship. Led by Meyers, Richard Washington Marques Johnson, UCLA compiled a 23-3 regular season record and won the national championship. This was one of Wooden's favorite teams. And if UConn ultimately wins a national championship, and, maybe, even if it doesn't, this will be one of Geno's favorite teams and, I believe, his most surprisingly successful.

You mean besides Kia, right?

 

[formerlurker]

Compaison?

I think you mean ComPaisan.

 

[uconnfan68]

This is interesting. I commented the same thing to Eric--this team resembles a UCLA team without a Walton/Alcindor superstar that is well coached and quick.

This it is more like the 1964-5 team. Goodrich, Hazzard and others, but no starter over 6'5".