Your All-Time College Starting 5 that you have seen...
- Thread starter UK2005_24
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Lew Alcindor
Bill Walton
Dominique Wilkins
David Thompson
Magic Johnson
Hard to leave out Ralph Samson but he is not better than Walton or kareen
Bill Walton
Dominique Wilkins
David Thompson
Magic Johnson
Hard to leave out Ralph Samson but he is not better than Walton or kareen
That would have been amazing to watch players like that in their college years... That team is stacked...
I might have left 'nique off and put in Maravich. Both terrific players. Wilkins with his athleticism could spin circles around Pete, but Pete was unbelievable in more ways than just shooting.
Good question, in my lifetime by position
Magic
Jordan
Glenn Robinson
Larry Bird
Sampson/Ewing/Olajuwon(tough to pick)
Great question. Hard to do this and not give consideration to what they became in the NBA, which shouldn't be a factor really. E.g., I can't include Steph - as awesome as he is, he didn't make that kind of impression on the collegiate level (and yes, i know he was very good - just not this kind of conversation good).
Let me think. I agree with Bilas - the 1980s was the high water mark for college basketball. By then, the game was fully integrated, athleticism (great athleticism) had proliferated - the guy who could do the 360 wasn't a "the only guy in the country who can do this" kind of guy anymore, the skill level hadn't started slipping yet, and most everyone stayed 4 years. So I'd have some 80s guys there (don't recall much of the 70s).
Larry Bird
Patrick Ewing
Ralph Sampson
Steve Alford
Jamal Mashburn (yes, I'm biased)
Weird lineup. I guess Mash gets some time at the 2....
Let me think. I agree with Bilas - the 1980s was the high water mark for college basketball. By then, the game was fully integrated, athleticism (great athleticism) had proliferated - the guy who could do the 360 wasn't a "the only guy in the country who can do this" kind of guy anymore, the skill level hadn't started slipping yet, and most everyone stayed 4 years. So I'd have some 80s guys there (don't recall much of the 70s).
Larry Bird
Patrick Ewing
Ralph Sampson
Steve Alford
Jamal Mashburn (yes, I'm biased)
Weird lineup. I guess Mash gets some time at the 2....
That I have seen, based only upon their performance in college...
F- Christian Laettner- clutch and amazing inside-out
C- Shaquille O'Neal- averaged like 27&15, a freak
G- Allen Iverson- 'nuff said
G- Jason Kidd- amazing passer, wish we could've watched him on a contender
F- Larry Johnson- most explosive player I've seen
This is skewed toward when players used to stay 3-4 years because, of course, elite talents are better as upperclassmen than freshmen and sophomores.
F- Christian Laettner- clutch and amazing inside-out
C- Shaquille O'Neal- averaged like 27&15, a freak
G- Allen Iverson- 'nuff said
G- Jason Kidd- amazing passer, wish we could've watched him on a contender
F- Larry Johnson- most explosive player I've seen
This is skewed toward when players used to stay 3-4 years because, of course, elite talents are better as upperclassmen than freshmen and sophomores.
G John Wall
G Isiah Thomas
F Clyde Drexler
F Kenny Walker
C Akeem Olajuwon
That's a smooth line-up right there. Quickness and athleticism out the wazoo.
G Isiah Thomas
F Clyde Drexler
F Kenny Walker
C Akeem Olajuwon
That's a smooth line-up right there. Quickness and athleticism out the wazoo.
No list should not include...Chris Jackson...he was unstoppable every night.
After that....Shaquille
David Robinson
Glenn Robinson
Cheryl miller...yes, he didn't ask if you saw just men.
After that....Shaquille
David Robinson
Glenn Robinson
Cheryl miller...yes, he didn't ask if you saw just men.
Just gonna toss out some names that are off the beaten path. Bob Lanier was devastating in college. Literally about carried St. Bonnie to the championship by himself till the knee gave way. Artis Gilmore was a monster, though not quite as dominate as some of the guys you've already listed. Only saw Larry Bird listed once. That guy was a freak in college, in the same league or better than Lanier. Don't think Sidney Wickes ever got the recognition he deserved, though best 5 of all time, don't thing so.
Very good topic, OP. Fun to think about.
Very good topic, OP. Fun to think about.
Bear in mind, the OP was asking for players you've actually seen play. I assumed he meant live, in person.
Great topic. It all starts with Alcindor so ...
Alcindor
Maravich
Bird
David Thompson
Ralph Sampson
My Kentucky honorable mentions are
Mashburn
Issel
Kenny Walker
Alcindor
Maravich
Bird
David Thompson
Ralph Sampson
My Kentucky honorable mentions are
Mashburn
Issel
Kenny Walker
C Akeem Olajuwon
SF Christian Laettner
PF Dominique Wilkins
SG Michael Jordan
PG Magic Johnson
Made my list without looking at anyone else's so I wouldn't be influenced. I almost vomited writing Laettner's name, but he had one of the best college careers ever so....
Had Isaiah Thomas until I remembered about Magic. I'll put my five up against anyone's.
After reading other posts, I would change Wilkins to Bird, but I will leave my original list as is for integrity's sake.
SF Christian Laettner
PF Dominique Wilkins
SG Michael Jordan
PG Magic Johnson
Made my list without looking at anyone else's so I wouldn't be influenced. I almost vomited writing Laettner's name, but he had one of the best college careers ever so....
Had Isaiah Thomas until I remembered about Magic. I'll put my five up against anyone's.
After reading other posts, I would change Wilkins to Bird, but I will leave my original list as is for integrity's sake.
Oh, yeah, I should qualify my suggestions.
I've seen Gilmore actually on the floor playing. He and Jim McDaniels (WKU) had some pretty epic battles back in the day. Jax had two 7 footers starting back then. The other was Pembroke Burroughs (sp), They were the first team I can recall that had twin towers where both were 7'. Only watched Lanier and Wickes on TV. I should say that I'm older than rope, so I've actually seen a good number of players from the 60's and 70's.
It is very difficult to name a top 5 all time but from the ones I have seen my list mirrors some of the others
Alcindor
Walton
Bird
Magic
Maravich
That is leaving off A LOT of great college players. There were 3 guys that played in the late 60's early 70's the same time that Pistol Pete was doing his thing at LSU and they were Calvin Murphy, Rick Mount and Austin Carr. Each of them were lights out shooters and they put up some ridiculous numbers without the 3 point shot.
Alcindor
Walton
Bird
Magic
Maravich
That is leaving off A LOT of great college players. There were 3 guys that played in the late 60's early 70's the same time that Pistol Pete was doing his thing at LSU and they were Calvin Murphy, Rick Mount and Austin Carr. Each of them were lights out shooters and they put up some ridiculous numbers without the 3 point shot.
seen in college in person
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis
Isiah Thomas
Jamal Mashburn
Dominique Wilkins
In the pros in person
Julius Irving
Rick Barry
Dan Issel
George Gervin
Walt Frazier
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis
Isiah Thomas
Jamal Mashburn
Dominique Wilkins
In the pros in person
Julius Irving
Rick Barry
Dan Issel
George Gervin
Walt Frazier
