UConn 2004 vs UConn 2024

[Excalibur]

Modern athleticism? 2004 was more athletic and physically stronger than 2024. 2024 was the better team.

Castle would probably the the best overall athlete on the floor, but spots 2-4 (at least) go to 2004.

 

[Excalibur]

Also worthy of note, the "23 nor '24 Teams faced a team during their runs as good as the Duke Team the '04 team defeated in the FF.

That team didn't have much shooting outside of Redick. I think you're overrating them.

 

[nomar]

Until this season, 2004 was the best UConn team in my book. I think 2024 was better but I also think people are overlooking the substantial differences in the level of competition the two teams faced.

The starting 5 for the 2004 Duke team we beat in the Final 4:

-Redick
-Deng
-Ewing
-S. Williams
-Duhon

All 5 guys went on to play in the NBA.

As to Excalibur's comment, Ewing and Deng both shot well from the outside. They weren't elite from 3, but they were a very good offensive team. They made 7.1 3/g on 36.4% shooting. This year's UConn team made 8.5 3/g on 35.8% shooting. (2003-04 UConn made 6.4 on 40.2% shooting.)

Who did the 2024 team play with a lineup like that?

 

[OceanDoggie]

That team didn't have much shooting outside of Redick. I think you're overrating them.

Reddick and Daniel Ewing were both better or as good shooting 3's as Cam Spencer.

Loul Deng was not a bad shooter either, and would probably be the best player in that game, if both Teams could play.

 

[yungdowork]

This idea is so crazy. I love Clingan, but the truth is He is no more dominant a defender than Thabeet was. No one thought Thatbeet would shutdown Okafor.

Before you trash Thabeet, 1) National Defensive Player of the Year, 2) #2 NBA Draft pick overall, in a much tougher Draft 3) 7"3" 260lb.

I loved Thabeet because I was huge on us being a premier shot blocking school after Okafor, Boone, Villanueva, Hilton, etc. He really was an elite shot blocker, but he was just an okay rebounder given his size, and really hadn't been refined offensively at all. It's too bad Memphis way overdrafted him, especially considering the roster they had at the time, because I think his draft status made people think he was a bust when in reality he still had a ton to learn about the game of basketball and there was always a decent chance he didn't develop fast enough.

Thabeet had really good timing for a guy his size and probably a better shot blocker at the college level, but Clingan has a more well-rounded defensive game in my personal opinion. Regardless, I think they'd probably leave Clingan on an island vs Okafor just like they did vs Edey. If Okafor went 2004 Final Four on him, what can ya do, it's Emeka.