The U.S. men's basketball team is well on its way to gold in the 2012 Summer Olympics and has sparked debate about how it would stack up with the 'Dream Team' from the 1992 games.UWBadgers.com writer Mike Lucas took a whack at putting together what a Badgers 'Dream Team' would look like from the Bo Ryan era (2001-2012, current players excluded). His task was to come up with a 12-man "team," not necessarily the best 12 players from the last decade.
Here is what he came up with. Who would you pick?
STARTING FIVE
GUARD: Devin Harris - I want to build my team and my starting line-up around my best player. Harris can score from so many different angles on the floor, plus he can get to the free throw line.
GUARD: Jordan Taylor - Beyond intangibles, I like his unselfishness, especially given this roster. He can mesh with anyone and I'm keeping the ball in his hands because of his assist-to-turnover ratio.
FORWARD: Alando Tucker - When the ball is in the air, Tuck is crashing the glass. Although he may have been a "tweener'' by NBA standards, he's an ideal slasher as a college wing.
FORWARD: Jon Leuer - His mere presence on the floor should open up some driving lanes for my guards and prevent teams from shading a defender on Tucker, et al. He can also stretch the defense.
CENTER: Greg Stiemsma - A defensive intimidator. He can make a statement in the paint with his toughness and shot-blocking skills. He's my trump card against marquee low block scorers.
BENCH
GUARD: Michael Flowers - Depending on match-ups, I might start Flowers over Stiemsma, if I wanted to go smaller and quicker and I needed a shut-down perimeter defender and ball-hawk.
GUARD: Kirk Penney - Another wild card because of his offensive ability. Can shoot 3s and post-up. I want to see what opposing coaches are going to do when I start Harris, Penney, Taylor and/or Flowers.
GUARD: Freddie Owens - This was a tough call because I seriously considered Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes. I went with Owens because he gives me more options to play different ways.
FORWARD: Mike Wilkinson - My first "big'' off the bench. Solid in so many facets. He might also split starting assignments with Stiemsma depending on opponent and what kind of game I expect.
FORWARD: Marcus Landry - Would love to have Landry and Tucker on the lane lines and attacking from the block. Pick-and-Roll possibilities unlimited, too, especially with so many quality guards.
FORWARD: Brian Butch - His length and competitiveness are invaluable on offense and defense. Plus, he has 3-point dimension. Can go big with Butch and Stiemsma and force opponents to shoot over the top.
FORWARD: Joe Krabbenhoft - Ideal complimentary piece to any combination. Can wear out people with persistence. Every championship team needs a Krabbenhoft, particularly in practice and locker room.
GUARD: Devin Harris - I want to build my team and my starting line-up around my best player. Harris can score from so many different angles on the floor, plus he can get to the free throw line.
GUARD: Jordan Taylor - Beyond intangibles, I like his unselfishness, especially given this roster. He can mesh with anyone and I'm keeping the ball in his hands because of his assist-to-turnover ratio.
FORWARD: Alando Tucker - When the ball is in the air, Tuck is crashing the glass. Although he may have been a "tweener'' by NBA standards, he's an ideal slasher as a college wing.
FORWARD: Jon Leuer - His mere presence on the floor should open up some driving lanes for my guards and prevent teams from shading a defender on Tucker, et al. He can also stretch the defense.
CENTER: Greg Stiemsma - A defensive intimidator. He can make a statement in the paint with his toughness and shot-blocking skills. He's my trump card against marquee low block scorers.
BENCH
GUARD: Michael Flowers - Depending on match-ups, I might start Flowers over Stiemsma, if I wanted to go smaller and quicker and I needed a shut-down perimeter defender and ball-hawk.
GUARD: Kirk Penney - Another wild card because of his offensive ability. Can shoot 3s and post-up. I want to see what opposing coaches are going to do when I start Harris, Penney, Taylor and/or Flowers.
GUARD: Freddie Owens - This was a tough call because I seriously considered Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes. I went with Owens because he gives me more options to play different ways.
FORWARD: Mike Wilkinson - My first "big'' off the bench. Solid in so many facets. He might also split starting assignments with Stiemsma depending on opponent and what kind of game I expect.
FORWARD: Marcus Landry - Would love to have Landry and Tucker on the lane lines and attacking from the block. Pick-and-Roll possibilities unlimited, too, especially with so many quality guards.
FORWARD: Brian Butch - His length and competitiveness are invaluable on offense and defense. Plus, he has 3-point dimension. Can go big with Butch and Stiemsma and force opponents to shoot over the top.
FORWARD: Joe Krabbenhoft - Ideal complimentary piece to any combination. Can wear out people with persistence. Every championship team needs a Krabbenhoft, particularly in practice and locker room.
