by Micah Hart

For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. In this matchup the UConn Huskies, a top seed with 11 NBA players to choose from, take on the USC Trojans. Veal Scalabrine for everyone!

VS

UConn Huskies

Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):

Ray Allen, Celtics: 23.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.4 steals
Ben Gordon, Pistons: 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.1 steals
Emeka Okafor, Hornets: 15.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, 0.7 steals
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies: 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 blocks, 2.0 steals
Rip Hamilton, Pistons: 24.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.0 blocks, 1.2 steals

Missed the cut: Caron Butler, Mavericks (injured); Charlie Villanueva, Pistons; A.J Price, Pacers; Hilton Armstrong, Hawks; Hasheem Thabeet, Rockets; Jeff Adrien, Warriors

Team synopsis: Wow. A dynamite scoring team for the boys from Storrs. This team is sort of the anti-LSU — all guard play with only Emeka there to patrol the paint. No real headaches in trying to determine their best lineup, though I suppose one could argue a spot for Charlie V due to UConn’s lack of size. Caron Butler would be in over Ben Gordon if healthy, but he’s missed too much time this year to be eligible. How you would stop Allen and Hamilton, two of the best shooters of all-time coming off screens, is anyone’s guess. 

USC Trojans

Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):

Taj Gibson, Bulls: 15.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3.0 blocks, 1.0 steals
O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies: 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.7 steals
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors: 17.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.6 steals
Brian Scalabrine, Bulls: 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 blocks, 1.6 steals
Nick Young, Wizards: 26.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.1 steals

Missed the cut: none

Team synopsis: Another team with the minimum required to play, but a potentially feisty bunch. Despite playing on an awful Wizards team, Nick Young’s per-48 scoring average shows just how big a scorer he is becoming. A lot of young, high-flying talent on this team, with the exception of Michael Rappaport Brian Scalabrine, who will have to find ways to make himself useful if this team is to advance.

All Ball’s take: UConn has the superior talent without question, but will be giving up height at several positions and is quite a bit older as well. Also, interesting to note that despite his defensive reputation, Okafor’s per-48 blocks are less than Gibson’s. Still, the veteran savvy and discipline of the Huskies is probably enough to move on.

Results: UConn won a close game to make the NCAA Final Four, but have a much easier time in the Bragging Rights Sweet 16, as the Huskies take down the Trojans by a final of 91%-9%.

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Category: Bragging Rights Bracket / Tags: , AJ Price, Ben Gordon, Brian Scalabrine, Caron Butler, Charlie Villanueva, DeMar DeRozan, Emeka Okafor, Hasheem Thabeet, Hilton Armstrong, Jeff Adrien, Nick Young, O.J. Mayo, Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Rudy Gay, Taj Gibson, UConn Huskies, USC Trojans / 6 Comments /

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