Led by coach Dan Hurley, the University of Connecticut’s mens basketball team have set the standard at the college level. Hurley, who is the son of Hall of Fame high school basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr., has developed a team that runs like a finely tuned Ferrari engine. The team won the national champion last year and are stacked with talent, depth, speed, power and experience.
With the NCAA tournament now at the Sweet 16 stage, it looks as if the no.1 seed Connecticut Huskies are once again the team to beat. Hurley’s side cruised past Northwestern 75-58 and with talented stars like Tristen Newton, Alex Karaban, Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan and Cam Spencer on the roster, it is hard to envision anyone stopping this team.
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg seems to think this team is so good that they could even compete at the NBA level.
“If they were in the NBA’s Eastern Conference would they make the playoffs…UConn is an NBA team, said Greenberg
Mike Greenberg says UConn could make the NBA play-in tournament right now 😳
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 25, 2024
NBA analyst Chandler Parsons responded to Greenberg’s bold claim stating that the no Connecticut player would make an NBA starting lineup.
“The best player on UConn wouldn’t play on the Detroit Pistons right now,” said Parsons
Chandler Parsons fires back at Mike Greenberg for saying UConn could make the NBA playoffs
"The best player on UConn wouldn't play on the Detroit Pistons right now."
(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/UYx5UT0WiC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 26, 2024
Parsons spent nine seasons in the NBA with four different organizations and knows what it takes to cut it in the pros. Over 440 total games, he averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
There is a massive gap between the NBA and the college game. UConn may be dominating in the NCAA, but we will have to wait and see how some of these player’s skillset translates at the professional level.
