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Just sort of dawned on me last night how the 2015-16 team will be built much like the 2008-09 squad. Very similar types of players/experience level at multiple positions. That team obviously went to a Final 4 and had much more experience playing together as a unit, but you could make an argument that this team is more talented top to bottom.
PG – Gibbs vs. AJ Price
Very similar type players – not super athletic, but solid, scoring point guards with good outside shots. Both seniors, although AJP was playing in his 3rd year in a Husky uniform while this will be Gibbs first.
Advantage: AJP
SG – Purvis vs. Dyson
Also two very similar players – scoring 2 guards who are not great ball handlers – more effective driving to the basket than settling for the outside shot. Both sort of have that “bulldog” mentality and were/are both juniors.
Advantage: Purvis
SF – Hamilton vs. Robinson
Probably the biggest difference in style of play for the projected starters, but relatively comparable in overall ability. Hamilton is a much more skilled overall player, but Robinson has an athleticism/size advantage as well as more experience at this juncture, as Hamilton will be a sophomore while Stanley was a junior.
Advantage: Hamilton
PF – Miller vs. Adrien
Their games are certainly different, as Miller seems to have more range/athleticism than Adrien, but Adrien is probably tougher and stronger, and has a distinct experience level in major conference play (although both would be seniors). Both are about the same size though and overall seem to have very similar ability.
Advantage: Adrien
C – Brimah vs. Thabeet
Thabeet ended up being co-Big East player of the year in 09 and was the 2nd pick in the NBA draft, so Brimah has his work cut out for him to compete with that. However, they are very similar players at this stage of their careers – long, shot blocking rim protectors whose defense is way ahead of their offense. Both juniors.
Advantage: Thabeet
Bench
PG – Adams vs. Kemba
Another startlingly similar comparison – 2 highly regarding point guards who will play/played the spark plug off the bench/3rd ball handler type role as a freshman. I think Adams frosh year will be very comparable to Kemba’s, with a slight advantage in his outside shooting but not quite the quickness and defensive ability
Advantage: Even
G – Cassell, Jr. vs. Austrie
Both veteran guards, although Austrie was obviously a much more proven player for UConn that Cassell is as this juncture. From an ability standpoint though, very similar, and Cassell has the size advantage, but hasn’t proven to be able to hit shots at this level yet.
Advantage: Austrie
Bigs – Facey/Nolan/Enoch vs. Edwards/Okwandu
Facey and Edwards are another solid comparison – both juniors who have decent size/experience but also have their flaws. Nolan is a much better option here as a senior than sophomore Chuck was as a 2nd big off the bench, although Chuck proved his worth a couple years later.
Advantage: Facey/Nolan/Enoch
Bench guard/wing – Calhoun vs. Haralson/Beverly
Although he has his detractors, a senior Calhoun is obviously a significantly better option than a freshman Haralson or a sophomore Beverly. Haralson was sort of a poor man’s Omar the one year he played for us.
Advantage: Calhoun
Was really crazy to me when I went down the list how similar these teams were. Most of the “advantages” I gave were VERY close, and could easily change and probably will as we watch the season unfold. Here’s hoping we have similar success to the 08-09 team.
PG – Gibbs vs. AJ Price
Very similar type players – not super athletic, but solid, scoring point guards with good outside shots. Both seniors, although AJP was playing in his 3rd year in a Husky uniform while this will be Gibbs first.
Advantage: AJP
SG – Purvis vs. Dyson
Also two very similar players – scoring 2 guards who are not great ball handlers – more effective driving to the basket than settling for the outside shot. Both sort of have that “bulldog” mentality and were/are both juniors.
Advantage: Purvis
SF – Hamilton vs. Robinson
Probably the biggest difference in style of play for the projected starters, but relatively comparable in overall ability. Hamilton is a much more skilled overall player, but Robinson has an athleticism/size advantage as well as more experience at this juncture, as Hamilton will be a sophomore while Stanley was a junior.
Advantage: Hamilton
PF – Miller vs. Adrien
Their games are certainly different, as Miller seems to have more range/athleticism than Adrien, but Adrien is probably tougher and stronger, and has a distinct experience level in major conference play (although both would be seniors). Both are about the same size though and overall seem to have very similar ability.
Advantage: Adrien
C – Brimah vs. Thabeet
Thabeet ended up being co-Big East player of the year in 09 and was the 2nd pick in the NBA draft, so Brimah has his work cut out for him to compete with that. However, they are very similar players at this stage of their careers – long, shot blocking rim protectors whose defense is way ahead of their offense. Both juniors.
Advantage: Thabeet
Bench
PG – Adams vs. Kemba
Another startlingly similar comparison – 2 highly regarding point guards who will play/played the spark plug off the bench/3rd ball handler type role as a freshman. I think Adams frosh year will be very comparable to Kemba’s, with a slight advantage in his outside shooting but not quite the quickness and defensive ability
Advantage: Even
G – Cassell, Jr. vs. Austrie
Both veteran guards, although Austrie was obviously a much more proven player for UConn that Cassell is as this juncture. From an ability standpoint though, very similar, and Cassell has the size advantage, but hasn’t proven to be able to hit shots at this level yet.
Advantage: Austrie
Bigs – Facey/Nolan/Enoch vs. Edwards/Okwandu
Facey and Edwards are another solid comparison – both juniors who have decent size/experience but also have their flaws. Nolan is a much better option here as a senior than sophomore Chuck was as a 2nd big off the bench, although Chuck proved his worth a couple years later.
Advantage: Facey/Nolan/Enoch
Bench guard/wing – Calhoun vs. Haralson/Beverly
Although he has his detractors, a senior Calhoun is obviously a significantly better option than a freshman Haralson or a sophomore Beverly. Haralson was sort of a poor man’s Omar the one year he played for us.
Advantage: Calhoun
Was really crazy to me when I went down the list how similar these teams were. Most of the “advantages” I gave were VERY close, and could easily change and probably will as we watch the season unfold. Here’s hoping we have similar success to the 08-09 team.
