If we never had any early entries, what's the best UConn team?

[Matrim55]

1994-1995
G: Ollie
G: Doron
F: Allen
F: Donyell
C: Knight

Bench: Donny, Fair, Hayward, Kirk, Rudy

2003-2004
G: Taliek
G: Ben
F: Caron
F: Charlie
C: Emeka

Bench: Rashad, Denham, Boone, Hilton (and if we pretend Marcus was eligible... my goodness)

2004-2005
G: Marcus
G: Ben
F: Rudy
F: Charlie
C: Emeka

Bench: Rashad, Denham, Boone, Hilton

2007-2008
G: AJ
G: Dyson
F: Rudy
F: Adrien
C: Thabeet

Bench: Stanley, Austrie, Wiggins, Edwards

2011-2012
G: Shabazz
G: Kemba
F: Lamb
F: Roscoe
C: Drummond

Bench: Boat, Oriakhi, DeAndre, Neils, Olander

 

[Robertelamin]

They would have easily repeated in 2004-2005 with Emeka and Ben. Even without them that team earned a 2 seed.

Edit. I forgot they were a 2 seed in 1995 as well but I would still take 2005.

 

[Austin316]

But I love them all...

 

[UCDaveD]

Would probably have a couple more banners hanging, that's for sure.

 

[Fishy]

If we could have added Caron to the 2004 team, they would have had to have called out the National Guard to stop us.

 

[Horatio]

2011-2012 and 2003-2004 are the best of the bunch. Emeka vs Andre is interesting, the guard edge go's to 11-12 but the clear stand out is Caron.

 

[Robertelamin]

Well I'm an idiot because 2004 won the championship anyway so I didn't count them but yeah that would be the best team.

 

[upstater]

2003-2004 for sure. Not sure it is even close.
I was in Chicago for the 9 day span between the regional finals and the F4, and I was surrounded by friends/colleagues/basketball fans rooting for other teams. They could not believe how calm I was through the whole thing. We watched every game together at the same bar. Alabama, sure, a blow out; but I was confident even when down big to Duke in the 1st half.

 

[superjohn]

2003-2004 by a nose over 2004-2005. Our teams during that period were monsters, the past few years the teams look like little kids next to those grown men.

 

[tzznandrew]

Should we add Bynum to 2006-2009 teams?

 

[husky99]

2011-2012 Wow... olander would have played 5 minutes total all season

 

[willie99]

2004, maybe the best team without Caron, adding him to that roster would have made them an all-time great team (5 lottery picks)

 

[mauconnfan]

94-95 and 03-04 would have been a clash of titans. Add Donyell to the 94-95 team who only had UCLA in the way and they get out of the way rather quickly. The bench was super already now add Donny Marshall.

Add Caron to the 3-4 team and ouch, there would have been an uproar vs UConn they would have been so strong. That bench is Top 25 material sitting alone.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

2011-2012 Wow... olander would have played 5 minutes total all season

He would have 2 more rings than the nose picker though...

 

[len0322]

Started UCONN in 1988. Team was coming off NIT Championship. Used to get excited when we could but up a fight versus Georgetown or Cuse. When you reflect back on some of these line-ups, it's amazing to see the collection of talent that has been through the cow pastures of Storrs. It's been a ridiculous 30 year run. Seems like down times, but confident Ollie will rebuild us to a regional and then national power.

 

[len0322]

BTW. that 94-95 (without Donyell) was not physical, but if you let them run, they were alot of fun to watch

 

[len0322]

Will throw one more team out there

1991-1992
G: Smittie
F: Henefeld
F: Burrell
F: Donyell
C: Rod

Bench: Donny, Fair, Ollie, Dan, TWalker

Calhoun ran a vicious press in the early days. With the athletics, instincts, and length of the team...they would have been turning alot of teams over.

 

[the Q]

94-95 and 03-04 would have been a clash of titans. Add Donyell to the 94-95 team who only had UCLA in the way and they get out of the way rather quickly. The bench was super already now add Donny Marshall.

Add Caron to the 3-4 team and ouch, there would have been an uproar vs UConn they would have been so strong. That bench is Top 25 material sitting alone.

Unless you believe in the Jeff Jacobs "Donyell Marshall" theory.

 

[Kembacity]

This is a very good boring time Boneyard post, I don't have all that much else to offer, but I wanted to say that since I'm sure someone will crap on it

 

[Mr. French]

This is a very good boring time Boneyard post, I don't have all that much else to offer, but I wanted to say that since I'm sure someone will crap on it

You have some kembacity to be positive in times like this. How dare you.

I used to do this against other programs, if everyone's upperclassmen didn't leave early.

You have some wild matchups there.

 

[Jaker]

2003_2004, that group could have easily won 3 nc's

 

[the Q]

You have some kembacity to be positive in times like this. How dare you.

I used to do this against other programs, if everyone's upperclassmen didn't leave early.

You have some wild matchups there.

Would anyone ever defeat a kentucky team that had Wall, Brow and Demarcus Cousins on the roster?

Jesus that's unfair.

 

[Mr. French]

Would anyone ever defeat a kentucky team that had Wall, Brow and Demarcus Cousins on the roster?

Jesus that's unfair.

Ya, that was one ... There was some UCLA / UNC / Duke / KU teams in the 2000s that were insane, and UConn had some teams that would compete.

But throw in Bledsoe, Kidd-Gilchrist ... That team would be one of em.

Oh, I believe the KD Texas teams would have been tough too, if I remember with Aldridge, Augustine, maybe PJ Tucker?

 

[Mr. French]

The best college basketball teams that never were

This is one article that I recall reading, I just found it.

I haven't read it over again, but I remember they left some teams and guys out, but they get the majority of the major ones.

Edit: Here's another article
Ranking the Best Teams in College Basketball If Players Had to Stay for 4 Years

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Don't sleep on 14 with Dre at the 5 in lieu of Big Philly Style.