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He's right. If college basketball was like it was even less than a decade ago, when we had powerhouse teams, the VCU's of the world would not be going to the final four. Butler at least has some name brand talent and plays a style that could succeed in many of the top conferences. VCU on the other hand, has benefited greatly from the departing players.
Let's look at what college basketball COULD look like today.
Kentucky Wildcats
G- John Wall So., G-Brandon Knight Fr., G-Eric Bledsoe So., F-Patrick Patterson Sr., F-DeMarcus Cousins So.
Bench: G-Doron Lamb Fr, F-Terrence Jones Fr, F-Josh Harrelson Sr., G-DeAndre Liggins Sr, G-Darius Miller Sr, F-Daniel Orton So.
Analysis:
Sweet freakin Jesus. Who would want to play with that team? The bench would probably be a top 20 team in itself. Who the heck wants to get in transition with John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, and Brandon Knight being able to handle the floor. This team would probably be my prohibitive favorite.
Ohio State Buckeyes
G-William Buford Sr, G-Evan Turner Sr, G-Jon Diebler Sr, F-Jared Sullinger Fr, C-B.J. Mullins Jr.
Bench: G-Aaron Craft Fr, G David Lighty Sr, F-Dallas Lauderdale Sr, C Kosta Koufos Sr, F-DeShaun Thomas Fr.
Analysis:
I don't know how you defense this team. Turner was last year's national player of the year and you combine him with Sullinger and Mullins and my goodness. Mullins was regarded as maybe the top Center in the country as a freshman out of high school and was picked in the first round, same with Koufos. They can match up defensively and have plenty of guys to hit the trifecta.
Syracuse Orange
G-Jonny Flynn Sr, G-Scoop Jardine Jr, F-Wesley Johnson Sr, F-Donte Greene Sr, F-Rick Jackson Sr.
Bench: G-Brandon Triche So, F-Kris Joseph Jr, G-C.J. Fair Fr, F-Baya Moussa Keita Fr, F-Fab Melo Fr.
Analysis:
Another team that would give opponents fits. A damn good starting lineup with guys like Triche and Joseph to give them a lift off the bench. This team playing a 2-3 zone would be downright scary. Having Jonny Flynn running point with three legit options to post and two of them (Johnson and Greene) being able to step out would make them the Big East favorites in my eyes.
Memphis Tigers
G- Derrick Rose Sr, G-Tyreke Evans Jr, G-Elliot Williams Jr, F-Wesley Witherspoon Sr, F-Tarik Black Jr
Bench: All G-Will Barton Fr, Antonio Barton Fr, Joe Jackson So, Chris Crawford Jr, Roburt Sallie Sr
Analysis:
This team would run teams to death. Rose and Evans?! Rose is arguably the NBA's MVP today, so you put him in college right now and it's hard to imagine how good he would look. The inside is a little weak, but they have 8 guards that could play and start for most teams in the country. It may look a little like the old Villanova guard-heavy lineup but this team would be fun as hell to watch.
UCLA Bruins
G- Jrue Holliday Jr, G-Malcolm Lee So, F Tyler Honeycutt So, F Kevin Love Sr, C Joshua Smith Fr
Bench: G-Lazeric Jones So, F-Tyler Honeycutt Jr, F-Reeves Nelson So.
Analysis:
UCLA has been down the last few years and it's easy to see why with the talent drain they have had. They were just a year away from having Russell Westbrook as well! The double-double machine combined with Joshua Smith would make up a ridiculous front court. Jrue Holliday would give them a legit scorer with Malcolm Lee (the guy the offense runs through now) getting plenty of open looks.
Arizona Wildcats
G-Jerryd Bayless Sr, G-Brandon Jennings Jr, G-Lamont "Mo-Mo" Jones So, F Solomon Hill So, F Derrick Williams So.
Bench: G-Kyle Fogg Jr, F-Jesse Perry Jr, G-Jordin Mayes Fr, F/C-Kyryl Natazyhko
Analysis:
Another team that could benefit from the rule. The guards alone would scare anyone in the country. Bayless would be a scoring machine that could play off the ball with Jennings running point. You have to imagine Derrick Williams would have just a tad bit more room to make things happen with those guys on the floor. The bench isn't great but are solid role players.
Other damn good starting 5's
Kansas State Wildcats
G- Jacob Pullen Sr, G-Rodney McGruder So, G/F-Bill Walker Sr, F-Michael Beasley Sr, F-Curtis Kelly Sr
Kansas Jayhawks
G-Tyshawn Taylor Jr, G-Xavier Henry So, F-Markeiff Morris Jr, F-Marcus Morris Jr, C-Cole Aldrich Sr
(with F Thomas Robinson So, G Brady Morningstar Sr, G Tyrell Reed Sr off bench)
Texas Longhorns
G-Cory Joseph Fr, G-Avery Bradley So, G/F-Jordan Hamilton So, F-Tristan Thompson Fr, F-Gary Johnson Sr (with G-J'Covan Brown Fr off bench)
North Carolina Tar Heels
G- Kendall Marshall Fr, G-Dexter Strickland So, F-Harrison Barnes Fr, F-Tyler Zeller Jr, F-Ed Davis Jr
(with F-John Henson So, and F-Alex Stepheson Sr off bench)
Louisville Cardinals
G-Peyton Siva So, G-Preston Knowles Sr, F-Earl Clark Sr, F-Terrence Jennings Jr, F-Samardo Samuels Jr
(G-Kyle Kuric, G-Mike Marra, G-Chris Smith off bench)
USC Trojans
G-Jio Fontan Jr, G-O.J. Mayo Sr, G-Marcus Simmons Sr, F-Demar DeRozan Jr, F- Nikola Vucevic Jr
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
G-Jeff Teague Sr, G-C.J. Harris So, F-Al-Farouq Aminu Jr, F-James Johnson Sr, F Travis McKie Fr
Gonzaga Bulldogs
G-Demetri Goodson Jr, G-Steven Gray Sr, F-Austin Daye Sr, F-Elias Harris Jr, F-Robert Sacre Jr
Pittsburgh Panthers
G-Ashton Gibbs Jr, G-Brad Wanamaker Sr, G-Gilbert Brown Sr, F-Gary McGhee Sr, F-DeJuan Blair Sr.
Florida Gators
G-Erving Walker Jr, G-Nick Calathes Sr, F-Chandler Parsons Sr, F-Vernon Macklin Sr, F- Alex Tyus Sr
(with G-Kenny Boynton off bench)
(sorry no Duke or UConn)
How much better would college basketball be? A better college game + more experience= more ready for the NBA which in turn ='s a better NBA product. Let's go pro executives, use your brains.
