The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 10

Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.

Here is No. 16:


2005: Gonzaga vs. Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State scored early in the second half to open up a 12 point lead, their largest of the game. But Gonzaga would start chipping away, even with their leading scorer Adam Morrison struggling. With 2:40 left in the game, Morrison drilled a three to cut the lead to 60-59, his first made basket since the six minute mark of the first half (his only other field goal in the second half came on a goaltend).

That would set up a fantastic finish. Two possessions later, JP Batista would score in the post to give the Gonzaga a 61-60 lead. Two free throws from Jamaal Brown would give OK State the lead back, setting up this (which doubles as my favorite all-time Gus Johnson call - and Bill Raftery is there too; see if you can count how many random words are yelled, assuming you can discern them):



Morrison, for the record, says he was trying to bank it in.


Ty Lawson, UNC: Tyler Hansbrough got all the media love, but Ty Lawson was the engine that made a UNC team that reached two Final Fours, and won a national title, go. As a freshman, Lawson immediately was thrust into Roy Williams starting line-up as he was the perfect fit for UNC's uptempo system and averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.6 apg. You see, Lawson is as fast as anyone from end-to-end, and his ability to dribble through defenses in transition was a huge reason why UNC was a nearly unstoppable offensive machine.

Ty Lawson was the catalyst for a powerful UNC offense.
(photo credit: MixtapeMonster)

As a sophomore, Lawson battled a sprained ankle late in the season, but still managed to average 12.7 ppg and 5.8 apg as UNC won the ACC regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the Final Four. In the Final Four, UNC was run off the court by Kansas, who built a 28 point first half lead. That, combined with some legal trouble, helped get not only Lawson, but Wayne Ellington, Tyler Hansbrough, and Danny Green to return to the Heels for the '08-'09 season. UNC was the consensus favorite in '09 from day one, and proved that in the Tournament, as they won every game by double digits en route to a title. Lawson was named ACC Player of the Year (over Hansbrough, among others) and was a second team all-american after averaging 16.6 ppg and 6.6 apg.


2003 Kentucky Wildcats: In the 100th season of Wildcat basketball, Kentucky did not look like they were destined for great things. A 6-3 start to the season will do that, and many questioned whether this would be the second coming of "Team Turmoil". But midway through the season, the Cats started to gel and by into the defensive system that Tubby Smith was preaching.

Kentucky would end up rolling through the SEC, going undefeated and winning the conference tournament. A #1 seed heading into the dance, Kentucky and Arizona were overwhelming favorites to win. But the breakdown of the brackets would have had the two teams playing in the national semifinal, which was a large reason that #1 seeds are now ranked. Kentucky would eventually lose in the Elite 8 to Marquette and Dwyane Wade, who went for a triple-double, ending their 26 game winning streak.

Kentucky's 2003 team was truly a team.
(photo credit: Big Blue History)

Keith Bogans led the Cats with an average of 15.7 ppg, while Gerald Fitch and Marquis Estill also scored in double figures. But as much as any team on this list, Kentucky was successful not because of their stars, but because they truly were a "team".


No. 17: Duke v. Maryland in the 2001 Final Four, Deron Williams, and Gonzaga's 2006 team

No. 18: Duke v. Indiana, Mateen Cleaves, Gonzaga
No. 19: Syracuse v. Kansas, Dwyane Wade, UCLA's 2006 team
No. 20: Pitt v. Villanova, Michael Beasley, and Duke's 2004 team
No. 21: Duke vs. Maryland in the 2001 ACC Semis, Josh Howard, Arizona's 2001 team
No. 22: Marquette v. Kentucky, Tayshaun Prince, UConn's 2009 team
No. 23: Vermont v. Syracuse, Andrew Bogut, and Memphis's 2008 team.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.
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NBA Draft Prospects: Ty Lawson, UNC

For a complete listing of NBA Draft prospects and their player breakdown, click here.

Stats: 16.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 spg, 1.9 t/o's, 53.2% FG, 47.2% 3FG, 79.8% FT,

Listed Size: 6'0", 195 lb, 11/3/87 (21 years old)

(photo credit: streetball.com)

About Him: With the return of four underclassmen last season, UNC's high-powered offense became damn near unstoppable this year. The biggest reason for that was Lawson, who won ACC player of the year honors over his teammate and 1st team all-american Tyler Hansbrough.

There is not a faster player in the country with the ball in his hands than Lawson. But what is amazing about his speed is that he rarely seems to be playing out of control, as evidenced by his 3.4:1 a:t/o ratio. In the open court there is not much you can do to stop him. He has a great handle, changes directions very well, but usually does not need them as all it takes in one quick move and he is by you.

In the lane, Lawson is an exceptional finisher at the rim. He is built like a running back (really strong and compact upper body) which allows him to go through contact, bouncing off bigger defenders despite often giving as much as a foot. He also is a great passer, knowing when to shoot and when to give the ball up to an open teammate.

This season, Lawson added a very effective three-point shot, although he is limited in when he can use it. He was only a threat to shoot if he caught the ball with his feet set and a lot of space (his release is very slow) or if he shot off the dribble from a static position. When shooting on the move, either off the dribble or the catch, Lawson is much less dangerous. But given the improvement to his overall shooting ability, I would say he has the potential to become a dangerous shooter with time. Lawson also struggles in the mid-range game. Simply put, if Lawson put the ball on the floor this past season, he was going to the rim - pull-ups are not yet in his repertoire.

For all he can do offensively, Lawson has yet to prove himself consistently effective in the halfcourt. He is clearly a guy that you want if you are playing an uptempo style of ball (can you imagine Lawson in Mike D'Antoni's system?), but not so much for a team playing a slower tempo.

On the defensive end, Lawson proved himself to be very dangerous, especially off the ball (just look at the title game - 8 steals). He is adept at jumping passing lanes or coming from the weak side and stripping a post-up. His out of this world quickness also allows him to get to a huge number of loose balls. Where he may struggle on the defensive end is in 1-on-1 situations, simply because of his height.

What was most impressive to me about Lawson was how good of a true "point guard" he turned out to be. Lawson had a knack for getting his teammates shots throughout the first half, and then taking over down the stretch if his team needed it. See the LSU game from the second round of the NCAA's, when Lawson had 21 second half points en route to a 14 point UNC win.

Comparisons: Best Case: Healthy TJ Ford, Ray Felton; Worst Case: Poor man's Jamaal Tinsley

Bottom Line: Lawson is not going to be a guy like Chris Paul or Deron Williams in the NBA. He's not a guy that can really adapt to a system. But if he finds the right team and the right fit, he can absolutely be a productive point in the League.

Highlights:




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Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington declare; Is Duke the team to beat in the ACC?

Already today, we have had Steph Curry declare for the NBA Draft. In his press conference, Curry said that he would be hiring an agent, thus ending any chance he could return to Davidson.

But he wasn't the only star from the state of Carolina to declare today.

UNC's starting back court, juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, both declared for the draft today as well. Since both players tested the waters last season, the decision to declare is final - they will not be able to return to Chapel Hill.

Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson both entered the NBA Draft today.
(photo credit: raleighdurham.about.com)

What does this mean?

For starters, we aren't waiting for anymore stars to make their decision (this list is about as comprehensive as you will find). But more importantly, it makes Duke the clear cut favorite in the ACC, even with Gerald Henderson going pro.

UNC may have a ton of talent on their bench and some great recruits coming in, but it is near impossible for a team to lose guys as talented as Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, and Wayne Ellington and still be a title contender.

Wake Forest was proven to be nothing more than average by season's end, and they will be losing James Johnson, and possibly Jeff Teague.

BC loses Tyrese Rice.

FSU loses Toney Douglas.

Clemson loses KC Rivers.

Duke brings back two of their three stars (Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler), their star in the making (Elliot Williams), and adds two top 50 big men in Ryan Kelly and Miles Plumlee's brother Mason. Add Nolan Smith and Olek Czyz to the mix, and you have a pretty damn good rotation.
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Point Guards in the Final Four

It is one of the most cliche things to say during the NCAA Tournament.

You need a great point guard to make a run in the dance.

We have all heard it before, and every bracketologist, whether you are on ESPN or the "expert" filling out your office pool, has more than likely uttered those words yourself. On the surface, it seems to hold true this year. Michigan State's point guard Kalin Lucas was Big Ten player of the year. UNC's Ty Lawson also won conference player of the year, in the ACC. UConn's AJ Price was a second team all Big-East selection, but has been one of the best point guards in the country since Jerome Dyson went down (19.2 ppg, 5.1 apg). Villanova's tandem of Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher is one of the more underrated point guard duos around.

Scottie Reynolds scores the game-winning hoop against Pitt.
(photo credit: Elise Amendola/AP)

So does correlation equal causation here? Easier put, are these point guards the reason that these four teams advanced to the Final Four?

Not necessarily.

Sure, they played a vital part. Reynolds hit the game-winner for Nova against Pitt in the Elite 8. Price is UConn's leading scorer through four tournament game. If the tournament ended today, Lawson might be the MOP of this year's dance.

But that doesn't mean they are the sole, or even most important, reason these four teams have advanced.

Take Michigan State. Lucas has been far from dominant through four games. He is averaging 12.8 ppg (down from 14.8) and has shot just 40% (15-37) from the floor. Goran Suton has actually been the best player for the Spartans during the tournament. He is averaging 14.0 ppg and 11.5 rpg (to go along with 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg, and 1.3 bpg). If he didn't score 17 first half points against Louisville, MSU may not have been in a position for the huge run they put on the Cardinals in the second half.

Price has been nothing short of great for the Huskies in their run to the Final Four. He has averaged 20.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 5.3 apg. As valuable as he has been, Price has not been the most important player on the floor. UConn has won their four games simply because they out-big (is that even a word) every team they have faced. Hasheem Thabeet was a dominant force on both ends through the first three games, and when he struggled a bit against an uptempo Missouri squad, the more athletic Stanley Robinson and Jeff Adrien combined for 25 points, 16 boards, and 7 blocks. Price wasn't even the best guard on the floor in that game. Kemba Walker was, as he finished the game with 23 point, 5 boards, 5 assists, and broke the devastating Mizzou press by himself on a number of occasions.

AJ Price scores over DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons of Missouri.
(photo credit: Chris Carlson/AP)

For Villanova, since the first day of practice on October 15th, it has been all about team. It is tough to pick out a best or most valuable player for the Wildcats, simply because they have so many guys that are just solid players. Is Scottie Reynolds leadership really more important than the versatility provided by "posts" Dante Cunningham, Dwayne Anderson, and Shane Clark? Is the dynamic Fisher more valuable than the fundamental play-maker Reggie Redding? More than anything, the reason that the Cats have made it this far is because they have been tougher, especially on the defense end, than anyone they have played (and that is saying something considering they beat Pitt in the Elite 8).

There is no question that Ty Lawson has been the best player on the floor for the Tar Heels. He took over the second half of the LSU game, scoring 21 points and helping UNC rally back after giving up a nine point half time lead. He continued that hot play against Gonzaga, as he scored 17 in the first half to help UNC open up a lead they would not relinquish. Even against Oklahoma, he was the Heels leading scorer with 19 points. But would UNC have won that game if they weren't able to get the lead on the Sooners? Maybe, but it would have been much closer than the final ended up being. Why were they able to build up said lead? Because their interior defense on Blake Griffin was outstanding for the first 11 minutes of the game, holding the player of the year scoreless. That allowed the Heels to stay at home on the Sooner shooters, who were never able to get into a rhythm, starting off the game 0-15 from deep and finishing 2-19.

Blake Griffin was swarmed by UNC's front line for most of the game.
(photo credit: Matt Slocum/AP)

When it comes down to it, no one player or position is going to get you to a Final Four. Yes, having a great point guard is important, but is it necessarily more important than having a great big man? Or playing great perimeter defense? Or having great shooters?

No.

To win a national title, or even to make a Final Four, a team needs to be just that. A team. They don't even really need to be a great one. They just have to play great for four games.

As a team.

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