Game One: Jfuchs91 vs. YearoftheHusky

[champs99and04]

Jfuchs91

PG - Marcus Williams
SG - Ray Allen
SF - Nadav Henefeld
PF - Cliff Robinson
C - Josh Boone

Bench:

Roscoe Smith
Terrence Samuel

YearoftheHusky

PG - A.J. Price
SG - Ben Gordon
F - Toby Kimball
F - Art Quimby
C - Hasheem Thabeet

Bench:

Tony Hanson
Mike McKay

 

[jfuchs91]

PG: Marcus Williams (6’3”)
SG: Ray Allen (6’5”)
SF: Nadav Henefeld (6’7”)
PF: Cliff Robinson (6’10”)
C: Josh Boone (6’10”)

Bench: Roscoe Smith (6’8”), Terrence Samuel (6’4”)

My team has a tremendous mix of size, athleticism, skill, versatility, length, and playmaking ability. Nearly every player on my roster can play multiple positions, and, most importantly, can defend at a high level. Below, I’ll analyze my team on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Defense: Over the years, UConn has excelled defensively largely due to their ability to block shots and protect the rim. As more advanced metrics are now showing overwhelmingly, protecting the area around the rim is paramount to a successful defense. With Josh Boone and Cliff Robinson, no other team can match the dual shot-blocking presence my team possesses. Behind Okafor and Thabeet, Josh Boone is statistically the next best shot blocker in UConn history. His post defense, rebounding, and rim protection make him the anchor of this defensive juggernaut. Alongside him in the post, is Cliff Robinson, who at 6’10” adds length to an athletic front line. Uncle Cliffy averaged 1.4 blocks over his last two seasons at UConn along with 1.8 steals from the PF/C spot in his senior campaign; only 9 other Huskies have recorded steal totals that high since Calhoun took over the program.

Speaking of steals, at my small forward position is one of the best defenders in UConn history. Nadav Henefeld still holds the NCAA record for steals in a season by a first year player with 138 (3.7 per game, highest in UConn history); for the sake of comparison, Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright
combined for 134 steals in the 2014 championship season. Let that sink in. Henefeld is a game-changer on the defensive end and adds a lockdown wing defender.

Ray Allen is also one of those rare Huskies to average at least 1.8 steals in a season. In addition to his proclivity for steals, Allen was a great athlete and could keep up with any player on the perimeter with his quickness and length.

My bench was drafted specifically for defense, and both players provide relentless defensive pressure and versatility. Terrence Samuel was huge for UConn’s 2014 championship defense. Samuel provides elite on-ball defense against guards and smaller wing players. At 6’4”, he has the size to give smaller guards issues, while also being equally as quick. Even in his limited minutes throughout the regular season, it was clearly apparent that Samuel was a lockdown defender, and when he finally got his minutes in the NCAA Tournament, he was better than anyone could have expected. UConn won the championship in 2014 due to their plethora of lockdown defenders, and Terrence Samuel was undoubtedly on that list. Roscoe Smith was the key to UConn’s 2011 championship defense; his defensive intensity and ability to shut down players at multiple positions was crucial. And since we’re taking players at their UConn peak, I get black-eye Roscoe; indicative of his gritty play and desire to do whatever it takes to win.

No other team in this field has a collection of rim protectors, rebounders, versatile defenders, and the ability to turn the other team over like my team. It’s truly an elite defense that will make it difficult for any team to score. My team was largely built around defense, because like any championship UConn squad, it all starts on the defensive end.

Offense: In a draft like this, every team is going to have their share of offensive talent. With that in mind, Marcus Williams is what sets my team apart. Williams, far and away the best distributor in UConn history, averaging 7.3 assists per game in his UConn career; an astounding 1.8 assists per game higher than second place. His basketball IQ, and off-the-charts court vision will put my other players in great position to score. Marcus Williams’ passing is an asset no other team has. If that 2006 UConn squad had managed to win just a few more games, I truly believe that Williams would be mentioned amongst the all-time UConn greats.

The best distributor in UConn history also has some tremendous talent to pass to. Ray Allen has unquestionably had the best basketball career of any UConn player. He’s the best shooter in the history of the sport (and for those saying only UConn stats count, he shot 45%(!) from 3 over the course of his college career), can also create his own shot at will, and finish effectively around the rim. Cliff Robinson is one of the most underrated UConn players in the Calhoun era. Outside of perhaps Donyell, no UConn big man has been a threat on the offensive end like Uncle Cliffy. He’s in the top 10 all time in points scored, field goals made, and free throws made. Additionally, his senior season was one of just 20 in UConn history in which a player averaged 20+ points. Robinson’s size, athleticism, and polished offensive skill-set led him to be an eventual NBA All-Star, and last 18 seasons in the NBA. And in this type of survive-and-advance tournament, who better to have on your team than someone who’s been a contestant on the show Survivor?

Nadav Henefeld and Josh Boone are two guys who help offenses run smoothly. Henefeld is one of the most versatile players UConn has ever had, always making the right play while being a good shooter, and shooting efficiently. Boone knew his offensive game and as a result has the fifth best FG% in UConn history (61%).

The best offenses are those that shoot efficiently and move the ball effectively. My team has the best distributor to ever put on a Connecticut uniform, great team shooting and spacing (all but Boone can stretch the floor), efficient scorers, and two guys who can bail you out at the end of a shot clock. There’s not much more an offense can ask for.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

I voted for you Jfuch, you might have the best starting 5 in either field. If you'd found a way to squeeze just a little more scoring punch on your team from the bench you'd be just about unstoppable

 

[hoophuskee]

Is Yearofthehusky going to do a write up?

 

[tzznandrew]

I think Jfuchs has the better team here.

Some thoughts:

I think his length down low is going to be killer. Hasheem will give Boone fits, but I think Boone will do the same. On defense, jfuchs' interior is going to be tough. I think he's overselling the perimeter. Marcus Williams didn't play much defense. And while Allen did average a bunch of steals, those came in a full court press, which I'm not convinced you can run with 7 players. In the half court, he wasn't particularly good. But Allen > Gordon on offense, and Gordon's defense is probably worse than Allen's.

Price and Ben will be able to get into the lane, but I don't think it will be enough, because jfuchs' will hinder their scoring ability. If YearoftheHusky had one of our strong defensive PGs, he might have been able to get into Marcus Williams and cause trouble. Could have made a difference, because I think TSam was a huge reach in this game. A net negative. Roscoe was a reach as well, but I'm more sympathetic to it.

The big issue in this game is that YearoftheHusky has 4 pre-Calhoun players. How we evaluate them, and how we imagine them being able to compete with the more modern players. Some will disagree, obviously, but I think McKay and Hanson translate pretty well. McKay was a Big East player, made an All-Big East team 1980, 1981, and 1982 (Third, Third, Second), and was a good athlete. I thought he was a good pick. I think Hanson translates well, also. He was a big, strong, athletic 2 who could score all over the place. And he played right as college basketball was gaining popularity. He was on an NABC All America team in 1977 (when he averaged 26 ppg and 10 rpg) the same year Larry Bird first appeared on one. Do those averages translate exactly, one to one? Probably not, but you can see analogues with other UConn players who played before and after coming into the Big East.

The problem, though, is I don't think Quimby or Kimball can compete here. They're 50s and 60s players that are small for their position. They put up absurd rebounding numbers, but against much smaller players in general, and against weaker athletes. I just don't think they have the handle to deal with a player like Nadav, nor the size to outrebound jfuchs' front line.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

^ Williams was a solid defender. Clearly not markedly different than your boy Taliek.

College Ray also had the athleticism to stay in front of defenders, hence his steals in a pressing defense.

Also what's up with your only defense of pre Calhoun players reciting stats/accomplishments that we all already know and passed on? You do in depth analysis of every other player and all you say about old players is "averaged x amount of points, good athlete", clearly you don't know anything about any of these older player's skill sets or you'd have more to offer.

 

[Palatine]

I think yearofthehusky wins easily. The backcourt is off the charts and the rebounding is is very, very good.

Hugh advantages in both areas.

 

[tzznandrew]

^ Williams was a solid defender. Clearly not markedly different than your boy Taliek.

College Ray also had the athleticism to stay in front of defenders, hence his steals in a pressing defense.

Also what's up with your only defense of pre Calhoun players reciting stats/accomplishments that we all already know and passed on? You do in depth analysis of every other player and all you say about old players is "averaged x amount of points, good athlete", clearly you don't know anything about any of these older player's skill sets or you'd have more to offer.

Again, we'll disagree on Williams. He was slow footed and got beat frequently. He had the benefit of players like Armstrong (the best rim defender on 2006) and Boone (a very good rim defender in 2006, and the team's best in 2005).

As for Ray, he got those steals not from one-on-one defense in the half-court, but from picking off longer passes in a press. I think those numbers are inflated for that reason, and make him look like a better defender than he was. Specifically Boat's on the ball defense was miles better, but he didn't get as many steals (notice I bring up Boat--who jfuch's brought up). Ray's half court defense was not very good. And while jfuchs has Nadav (a player I think makes the press at least plausible), I don't think you can press in a game of 7 players. Even if you could, Ben Gordon and AJP would beat it. They are two confident ball handlers, one of whom led an injured team to the Final Four, and helped guide a team to the title. I think they beat a press, especially one with Marcus Williams at the helm.

As for the older players, is there to say besides stats? It's not like there's a ton of game tape available. So I look at size relative to position, the era they play in, etc. You convince people with that, when possible, more than with personal anecdotes. Hence jfuchs use of stats when talking about Ray's steals per game. It's a good stat that makes people think. Notice he, rightly, didn't make much about the fact that it was in a press. Again, good call.

Specifically, I don't I have to say much to justify McKay. Man played in the Big East. It was a smaller league, but he still made an all-league team all three times he was in that league. It's not like 1982 was the stone age. The 1982 first team had John Bagley, Corny Thompson, Sleepy Floyd, Dan Callandrillo, and David Russell. Mike McKay was on the second team with Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen, Erich Santifer, and Stewart Granger.

Tony Hanson won an NCAA tournament game, was on the all-regional team, and his career overlapped with a number of other great players. He was a 6'5" shooting guard who shot over 50% from the field. There was no 3 point line, but you don't average that amount without being a respected shooter. I think he translates just fine, since within two years we have a player like McKay coming in and performing very well in the Big East, you think not. I thought he translated well before I drafted him, but obviously it's in my best interest that people agree with me. And it's in your best interest that they don't.

Art Quimby was a 6'5" and played in the 1950s. You can see my thoughts on the state of the game in numerous other threads. The 1950s in college athletics is lightyears behind what we see now. I think Quimby was a fine athlete, just like Walt Dropo was just a few years before (and Dropo won AL Rookie of the Year in 1950). I just don't think his size or skills will translate well. 6'5" centers gets you killed against jfuchs' lineup. Same thoughts about the 6'6" Kimball (he's variously listed at 6'6" and 6'8")--although he has a much better case, since I'm willing to give what I think are borderline cases the benefit of the doubt if they played in the league, which Kimball did. I don't think that is a contradiction with my Tony Hanson stat, since, as is very obvious, sometimes great college players can't make it in the league.

 

[SubbaBub]

Ray, Dove and Cliffy is a tough matchup no matter how many layups Boone misses. Jfuchs.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Again, we'll disagree on Williams. He was slow footed and got beat frequently. He had the benefit of players like Armstrong (the best rim defender on 2006) and Boone (a very good rim defender in 2006, and the team's best in 2005).

He's not the best defensive PG ever but he wasn't getting eviscerated out there defensively. His skills on the offensive end just overshadow that he wasn't really any better or worse than a guy like Taliek defensively.

As for Ray, he got those steals not from one-on-one defense in the half-court, but from picking off longer passes in a press. I think those numbers are inflated for that reason, and make him look like a better defender than he was. Specifically Boat's on the ball defense was miles better, but he didn't get as many steals (notice I bring up Boat--who jfuch's brought up). Ray's half court defense was not very good. And while jfuchs has Nadav (a player I think makes the press at least plausible), I don't think you can press in a game of 7 players. Even if you could, Ben Gordon and AJP would beat it. They are two confident ball handlers, one of whom led an injured team to the Final Four, and helped guide a team to the title. I think they beat a press, especially one with Marcus Williams at the helm.

He wasn't only picking off longer passes, but the fact that he was positioned to be able to do so speaks to his speed and athleticism, both positioning and being able to intercept. Of course, your argument was that literally every single defensive play Ray ever made was in this setting, which of course is not the case. No matter how much any team wants to press, you're simply not going to be able to 100% of the time. Ray played the most minutes on a team that owned a +18 scoring margin, clearly some of that defense fell on him.

If you pick players that already played 30+ mpg and who played on some of Calhoun's pressing teams, I see no reason for you to argue that a team with those players couldn't press, since they've already proven that they could both play huge minutes while doing it. And again, no team can press 100% of the time anyways.

As for the older players, is there to say besides stats? It's not like there's a ton of game tape available. So I look at size relative to position, the era they play in, etc. You convince people with that, when possible, more than with personal anecdotes. Hence jfuchs use of stats when talking about Ray's steals per game. It's a good stat that makes people think. Notice he, rightly, didn't make much about the fact that it was in a press. Again, good call.

Specifically, I don't I have to say much to justify McKay. Man played in the Big East. It was a smaller league, but he still made an all-league team all three times he was in that league. It's not like 1982 was the stone age. The 1982 first team had John Bagley, Corny Thompson, Sleepy Floyd, Dan Callandrillo, and David Russell. Mike McKay was on the second team with Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen, Erich Santifer, and Stewart Granger.

Tony Hanson won an NCAA tournament game, was on the all-regional team, and his career overlapped with a number of other great players. He was a 6'5" shooting guard who shot over 50% from the field. There was no 3 point line, but you don't average that amount without being a respected shooter. I think he translates just fine, since within two years we have a player like McKay coming in and performing very well in the Big East, you think not. I thought he translated well before I drafted him, but obviously it's in my best interest that people agree with me. And it's in your best interest that they don't.

Art Quimby was a 6'5" and played in the 1950s. You can see my thoughts on the state of the game in numerous other threads. The 1950s in college athletics is lightyears behind what we see now. I think Quimby was a fine athlete, just like Walt Dropo was just a few years before (and Dropo won AL Rookie of the Year in 1950). I just don't think his size or skills will translate well. 6'5" centers gets you killed against jfuchs' lineup. Same thoughts about the 6'6" Kimball (he's variously listed at 6'6" and 6'8")--although he has a much better case, since I'm willing to give what I think are borderline cases the benefit of the doubt if they played in the league, which Kimball did. I don't think that is a contradiction with my Tony Hanson stat, since, as is very obvious, sometimes great college players can't make it in the league.

You just destroyed your own argument for claiming that guys like Hanson were comparably athletic to today's players, thanks for that. If you've never seen them play, and you're only judging off of what they did in a totally different era (which you're even admitting) and their "size relative to position", how can you reasonably argue for how well a guy like Hanson would translate to 2014, or even 1999 college basketball? You just shot yourself in the foot with that.

Once again, the only reasonable proof that either of us can present that Hanson didn't have either the athletic chops, or wasn't skilled enough to hang at a higher level was the fact that he got cut before ever playing a game with the expansion NBA team that drafted him. Against those better athletes, Hanson couldn't make a 14 man roster for even a single game, not in New Orleans, and not anywhere else. Even guys like KEA or Marcus, or anyone else from the modern era who had questionable NBA talent were able to at least get on teams and play real NBA minutes for varying lengths of time.

Reciting how many all regional or all conference team an old school player doesn't help make your case, because in doing so, you're failing to put them into context and present an argument as to why those stats would translate. I can sit here and talk about how athletic and otherworldy Ray was in college because we were here to see it, and it came under the modern era against other elite players who we've all seen play. With Hanson, all you've done is talk about stats/accomplishments, while none of us know what to make because hardly anyone (yourself included) has actually seen him play.

I can't believe you spent several paragraphs reiterating the same stuff I just talked about though. Wow.

 

[YearoftheHusky]

Sorry guys, got sent away for a work tril last minute. All I ask is that the younger guys do some research in the older players before voting. You don't average 21+ rebounds per game unless you can play. Yes. The times are different, but I am not overlooking what they did relative to their time.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Jfuchs91

PG - Marcus Williams
SG - Ray Allen
SF - Nadav Henefeld
PF - Cliff Robinson
C - Josh Boone

Bench:

Roscoe Smith
Terrence Samuel

YearoftheHusky

PG - A.J. Price
SG - Ben Gordon
F - Toby Kimball
F - Art Quimby
C - Hasheem Thabeet

Bench:

Tony Hanson
Mike McKay

I'm a fan since 80's and this matchup helps me see how early Calhoun era evaluations are tough for younger folks as although I have some clues about Tony Hanson, I've got nothing on Kimball or Quimby other than knowing they rebounded. McKay is a blank. Meanwhile Ray & Nadav might be my two favorite Huskies ever so probably would go with JFuchs team even if YOH forwards were Caron & Donyell (ok maybe not

 

[jfuchs91]

I think TSam was a huge reach in this game. A net negative. Roscoe was a reach as well, but I'm more sympathetic to it.

I take exception to that. Defense is half the game, and both Samuel and Roscoe are great, versatile defenders. Samuel doesn't have the accolades of some of the other drafted players, but just by the skill-set and talent, especially on the defensive end, he's shown he can be an impact player. He played his best when they played top competition in big moments. He's a 6'4" physical, athletic guard who can lockdown players on the perimeter, handle the basketball, and finish at the rim even with a lot of contact. I don't expect him to carry the offensive scoring load, but he can provide great perimeter defense while giving my offense another ball-handler and finisher.

As for Roscoe, same thing. He's not going to be relied upon to score too much (won't need it with Ray Ray, Uncle Cliffy, and Marcus Williams setting everyone else up for easy buckets), but he can guard athletic 3s and 4s well, while being able to block some shots and rebound on the offensive glass.

 

[tzznandrew]

I take exception to that. Defense is half the game, and both Samuel and Roscoe are great, versatile defenders. Samuel doesn't have the accolades of some of the other drafted players, but just by the skill-set and talent, especially on the defensive end, he's shown he can be an impact player. He played his best when they played top competition in big moments. He's a 6'4" physical, athletic guard who can lockdown players on the perimeter, handle the basketball, and finish at the rim even with a lot of contact. I don't expect him to carry the offensive scoring load, but he can provide great perimeter defense while giving my offense another ball-handler and finisher.

As for Roscoe, same thing. He's not going to be relied upon to score too much (won't need it with Ray Ray, Uncle Cliffy, and Marcus Williams setting everyone else up for easy buckets), but he can guard athletic 3s and 4s well, while being able to block some shots and rebound on the offensive glass.

No worries. I see where you're going with it, and you took them both with the last two picks. Both provide good defense (great defense, I'll say, for Roscoe) and minimal offense. And with TSam, I'm not sure he's really proven he can run a team: he was only out there as a secondary ball-handler to rest Shabazz or Boat. Here, if you want to give Marcus a break, he'll have the primary distributor role on his shoulders.

Although, to be fair, I'm not entirely clear if we're supposed to be imagining a 40 minute game.

 

[jfuchs91]

No worries. I see where you're going with it, and you took them both with the last two picks. Both provide good defense (great defense, I'll say, for Roscoe) and minimal offense. And with TSam, I'm not sure he's really proven he can run a team: he was only out there as a secondary ball-handler to rest Shabazz or Boat. Here, if you want to give Marcus a break, he'll have the primary distributor role on his shoulders.

Although, to be fair, I'm not entirely clear if we're supposed to be imagining a 40 minute game.

Agreed that Samuel hasn't had to really run point consistently yet (although I do think he's shown flashes of being a good passer), but both Ray and even Nadav could bring the ball up and set up the offense in the limited minutes that Marcus Williams is out. Though Samuel has shown this season that he can be a one-man press break if needed.

 

[Gringo]

Agreed that Samuel hasn't had to really run point consistently yet (although I do think he's shown flashes of being a good passer), but both Ray and even Nadav could bring the ball up and set up the offense in the limited minutes that Marcus Williams is out. Though Samuel has shown this season that he can be a one-man press break if needed.

I was really surprised by the Samuel pick. There was better much better value still available in my opinion. He's what I wrote in the private thread.

I'm a big Samuel fan and I expect him to be a big contributor the next 3 years, but you can't take him in this draft. He was the 8th guy off the bench this year.

What do you guys think of a Kirk King pick in the final round. I remember Calhoun saying he probably would have been drafted in the NBA if he didn't get suspended for his Senior year.

Also am I missing something or was Donny Marshall not taken in that draft. He averaged 15.8 points and pulled down 5.8 boards on an elite 8 squad.

I'm going back to some of my earliest UConn memories but Phil Gamble in the late 80's as well. A lot of better options than TSam right now.

 

[jfuchs91]

I was really surprised by the Samuel pick. There was better much better value still available in my opinion. He's what I wrote in the private thread.

I'm a big Samuel fan and I expect him to be a big contributor the next 3 years, but you can't take him in this draft. He was the 8th guy off the bench this year.

What do you guys think of a Kirk King pick in the final round. I remember Calhoun saying he probably would have been drafted in the NBA if he didn't get suspended for his Senior year.

Also am I missing something or was Donny Marshall not taken in that draft. He averaged 15.8 points and pulled down 5.8 boards on an elite 8 squad.

I'm going back to some of my earliest UConn memories but Phil Gamble in the late 80's as well. A lot of better options than TSam right now.

Samuel's skill-set is exactly what I was seeking. Someone who could play great on-ball defense, provide some ball handling help, and bring energy off the bench. He also showed on numerous occasions his ability to finish at the rim through contact. There may have been more accomplished players out there, but Samuel showed that he could absolutely play against some serious competition in his lone season so far. I drafted for a player's game, not accomplishments.

With only two bench spots, versatility and defense are crucial, and Samuel provided that with my last pick.

 

[champs99and04]

While I think Jfuchs' is over-selling us on this "defense first philosophy", (there are much stronger possible defensive configurations in the back court than Marcus and Ray), I feel pretty comfortable declaring his roster a team to beat in game one (and I haven't even looked at half the teams).

The way I see it, a Williams/Allen back court would be among the best of all-time. I understand why certain fans may not have overly fond memories of Marcus, but I'll defend his claim to being one of the best point guards in the history of the program to no end. Let's start with the obvious: the dude averaged f'in 9 assists per game. I'm not sure people quite understand how unbelievably difficult that is in a sport fundamentally designed to neutralize talent disparities and discourage high-octane offenses. The kid simply had a gift. He toyed with defenses in very abstract ways, capitalizing on angles nobody else recognized, changing pace in particularly disruptive fashion, and above all, processing spontaneous shifts in defensive alignment and using that gravitational pull to identify shooters.

For as talented as the '06 team was, he never had a toy like Ray. And, although his extensive veteran days as a spot-up shooter with the Celtics and now the Heat have caused many to forget what a creator he was off-the-bounce in his heyday, he was always most dangerous away from the ball. As imperfect as the comparison is, he was a lot like a great goal scorer in hockey, lulling defenders to sleep and then exploding to open space amid the chaos that 5 on 5 action initiates. Also, here's the thing about college defenses: they are a lot less intelligent than pro defenses. Whereas pro defenders are far more seasoned and familiar with the intricacies of team defense, college kids are a lot more prone to over-helping, ball watching, and blown assignments. These were the type of defensive failures - and, more specifically, a failure to be attentive to detail - that Ray and Marcus thrived on. In short, they were college players with the mental capacity of pros. They would have been lethal together.

It's also hard to imagine how Cliff Robinson fell to the second round (or was it the third round?) in this draft. I never saw him play at UConn, but my primitive research indicates that he was an NBA all-star and two-time all-defensive team member. And yes, I realize we are evaluating these players based on the heights of their college careers, and not their pro careers, but given he averaged 20 and 7 in his senior year at UConn, the framework of one of the best 30-50 players in the world was there even then. He was a beast and somebody we should not neglect when discussing the programs all-time greats.

As for Boone, well, he may not have been the best big men in this programs illustrious history, but he complements the rest of Jfuchs' roster perfectly. Although a capable scorer, he'll be most fondly remembered in these parts for his elite rim protecting abilities (2.9 blocks per game in '05), propensity to hit the glass (8.4 RPG that same year), and overall contributions to the '04 championship team (for my money, he was the best of our freshman big men that year). I think Boone was slightly under-valued in this draft because of the fact that his best season coincided with a largely forgettable season. The '04 team will be remembered for obvious reasons, and the '06 team will be remembered as an occasionally dominant squad whose legacy will be tarnished by the infamous flame-out in the tourney. The mention of Boone's name here generally provokes mixed reaction (though, largely positive) of gratitude for his contributions to the '04 title team and disappointment in his regression junior year. The reality is, however, the '05 was pretty damn good in their own right (though nobody remembers because of the N.C. State loss) and Boone was possibly the best player on that team. You can't toss him into the elite tier of UConn big men (Okafor, Thabeet, maybe Adrien), but he comfortably fits in to the tier right below that. That should be enough on a team featuring Ray, Marcus, and Cliff.

I wasn't incredibly fond of the T-Sam selection (I probably would have preferred somebody like Austrie in that spot), but he does provide the luxury of going with a three-guard lineup against particularly explosive back courts that could take advantage of the weakness of his team (perimeter defense). Roscoe Smith as a freshman was one of the best defensive players we ever had here, and he could guard three positions. There's certainly a place for somebody like that on any team.

If it seems like I'm bending over trying to endorse Jfuchs' team, keep in mind that I have no biases here and don't care who wins. It just appears to me that he was able to get every player on his team one round later than he should have. Ray was a mid-round pick who could have gone upper-first round. Cliff was a second round pick who could have gone first round. Marcus as a third round pick who could have gone second round. Boone was a fourth round pick who could have gone third round. It also doesn't hurt that every era seems to be represented. I do like YearoftheHusky's team, as well, but he got a bad draw here.

 

[hoophuskee]

Going with jfuchs. Need Tony Hanson to start then I'd go with Yearofthehusky. But I don't see a description of how he wants to play. I don't beleive in Art Quimby for these games. He was 6'5 and is listed as a f/c in which he shoots something like 41.6%. But he likes him. I can't support that. IMO his game doesn't translate in these mythical games. IMO Hanson's would.

Then you'd have 4 starters greater than their opponents with Price, Hanson, Kimball and Thabeet greater than their counterparts.

Hanson shot a bit over 52% from the floor and averaged 26 and over 10 rebounds per game in his senior year. His teams were pretty successful. I know the competition isn't the same and athleticism but it's personal preference I guess. YEaroftheHusky likes Art. I'm being bias here I know - I just think Art doesn't play well here in fanstasy games. Just as I'm sure many won't give Tony any love. Thus myArt rant comes back to bite me with Tony. Anyhow Tony could play the 2 or 3 as he had an inside/outside game. This team imo would be beastly if you forget about starting and playing Art Quimby big minutes.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

This wouldn't even be competitive. JFuchs91 wins this one by halftime.

 

[mauconnfan]

This wouldn't even be competitive. JFuchs91 wins this one by halftime.

Not so fast, guess you need a history lesson. The only thing YearoftheHusky needs is to be sure he gets Tony Hanson in that lineup a bit more and he's a winner here……….his big front line will rebound every miss and he has a sensational backcourt to start but no help from the bench guard wise. But again Mike McKay is a great choice to shot the ball off the bench and bring athleticism……..

YearHusky wins this game if the backcourt stays out of foul trouble - and EZ too

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Not so fast, guess you need a history lesson. The only thing YearoftheHusky needs is to be sure he gets Tony Hanson in that lineup a bit more and he's a winner here……….his big front line will rebound every miss and he has a sensational backcourt to start but no help from the bench guard wise. But again Mike McKay is a great choice to shot the ball off the bench and bring athleticism……..

YearHusky wins this game if the backcourt stays out of foul trouble - and EZ too

Been a Husky fan since the late 70s. No history lesson required, but if you think AJ and BG could slow down Ray and Marcus you may need an intervention.