This is a completely accurate post. You only missed the part that the final piece of the puzzle that pushed that team to another level was inserting Rashad into the starting lineup. He opened things up for Ben and Mek and it was over. I remember a lot of the pundits that year calling it the Uconn invitational.Yep, that team messed around a little when Okafor's back was acting up and Gordon broke his face. There were also the nuisance things to deal with like Charlie V having to sit out games and Marcus Williams not playing second semester. When they were locked in it was over for everyone. Only reason Duke game was close was because Okafor sat the entire first half. That 2004 Duke team is better than most teams on this list, their starting 5 all played in the NBA.
I was at the Georgia Tech loss. We were missing some guys, including the national POY.Well to be fair and complete. In 2004 UNC (who won it all in 2005) beat UConn in the regular season as did Georgia Tech who was really good that year, too. However, UConn didn't play their best game (not bad, though) and UNC played their absolute best at their home court and barely won. That was the one game UConn's poor FT shooting cost them, if they make even a few more, they win that game. And we know how GTech blew them out early and then got destroyed in the title game.
But the main difference is if UConn played UNC in the tournament in 2004, I think UConn beats them in a 10 pt win or whatever, it wouldn't be a nail biter-I wasn't worried about UNC after that regular season loss, I knew they couldn't beat UConn if UConn played their best. In fact, CBS writer Gregg Doyel, who Calhoun hated because Doyel wrote a lot of scathing articles about UConn, stated after the UNC loss, said the team that lost, UConn, is clearly the best team in the nation.
Also, UNCs 2005 team, which was a little better than their 2004 team, had a tough time against UConn's 2005 team which was significantly worse than their 2004 team (not really close TBH), in the regular season game in Hartford.
In 2003, if Syracuse played UConn in the tournament, I think UConn wins that game. That was a time UConn had their number and the 2-3 zone didn't rattle UConn like it did to out of conference opponents.
Remember that Syracuse was also the beneficiary of one of the worst seeding jobs ever in the tournament.
Texas did not win the Big 12 regular season or the Big 12 tournament, but they were given a one seed in Texas basically to sell tickets.
And then they inexplicably made Syracuse and Marquette home teams in their regionals.
A though just occured to me. Uconns 04 we all know was beastly and would beat most or all of those teams but i think the 06 and 09 teams are better than half the teams on that list.I believe the 2004 team was saving their wad I wasn’t even worried about them, I said wait till tournament time.
If all these teams played right now 2012 wins easilyA though just occured to me. Uconns 04 we all know was beastly and would beat most or all of those teams but i think the 06 and 09 teams are better than half the teams on that list.
Well UK would have to defeat UConn. We all know they CAN'T do that in March.If all these teams played right now 2012 wins easily
With Dyson uninjured, it would have been another 1999 UConn - Duke media matchup with the two best teams.I believe dyson would’ve put the 2009 team over the top. that was a very good unc team tho
I agree about 2004. We had 5 pros on that team.wow. 734 likes. epic. yuge. the whole world is watching... or not.
UConn 2004 was one of the most complete teams in decades.
FtfyHe has something against UConn.
That's the one I'd take off the list. Other than Juan Dixon, who else was on that team?I don't think the 2002 Maryland team was that good at all. Maryland needed a lot of help from the refs to beat UConn, and UConn was Caron Butler, and not much else. Johnnie Selvie was probably the second best player on the team that year. Butler was amazing, but if Maryland could barely beat that UConn team, then they weren't that good.
That's the one I'd take off the list. Other than Juan Dixon, who else was on that team?
Note: just came to me that Steve Blake was his backcourt mate, but still.
Ben averaged 13 points and Emeka 8 points and 9 boards, as freshmen. We'll be in very good shape if our incoming freshmen can contribute like that next year.I don't think the 2002 Maryland team was that good at all. Maryland needed a lot of help from the refs to beat UConn, and UConn was Caron Butler, and not much else. Johnnie Selvie was probably the second best player on the team that year. Butler was amazing, but if Maryland could barely beat that UConn team, then they weren't that good.
It’s gilchrist here but still a classicThat's the one I'd take off the list. Other than Juan Dixon, who else was on that team?
Note: just came to me that Steve Blake was his backcourt mate, but still.
UK 2012 isnt beating Uconn 04. Jim Calhoun uses all that length to shut down AD and Meka doesnt need to score 20 for that team to win. Just rebound, block shots and get his points when he can. Honestly though i think thatd be our toughest match up because of AD.If all these teams played right now 2012 wins easily
i was actually referring to our lineup ofUK 2012 isnt beating Uconn 04. Jim Calhoun uses all that length to shut down AD and Meka doesnt need to score 20 for that team to win. Just rebound, block shots and get his points when he can. Honestly though i think thatd be our toughest match up because of AD.
Ben averaged 13 points and Emeka 8 points and 9 boards, as freshmen. We'll be in very good shape if our incoming freshmen can contribute like that next year.
That's the one I'd take off the list. Other than Juan Dixon, who else was on that team?
Note: just came to me that Steve Blake was his backcourt mate, but still.
UK 2012 isnt beating Uconn 04. Jim Calhoun uses all that length to shut down AD and Meka doesnt need to score 20 for that team to win. Just rebound, block shots and get his points when he can. Honestly though i think thatd be our toughest match up because of AD.