Busting Brackets College Basketball Fantasy Draft
By Jacob Rude
Nov 28, 2014; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) celebrates with forward Frank Kaminsky (44) against the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2014 Battle 4 Atlantis championship game at Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Team Sherman
Head Coach: John Beilein, Michigan
Home Court: Phog Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
- PG – Monte Morris, Iowa State
- SG – Tyler Haws, BYU
- F – Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
- F – Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
- C – Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Draft Strategy:
The guiding principle for the formation of this team was offensive skill. I wanted to create a team that had versatility with shooting and passing ability. Offensive efficiency was my #1 priority.
With Kaminsky and Wiltjer, this team has two bigs that can score from inside or outside. Kaminsky (42.1% 3pt%) and Wiltjer (44.9% 3pt%) can score from deep. Their gravity would pull defenders away from the basket and open the court.
The guiding principle for the formation of this team was offensive skill. I wanted to create a team that had versatility with shooting and passing ability. Offensive efficiency was my #1 priority.
Dekker is an explosive athlete with size and a finisher. Per Hoop-Math, Dekker shoots 73.9% at the rim. At 6’9”, Dekker is a tough size match-up for any team’s opposing guards. And on this team both bigs can play outside and be a threat.
With Haws, I wanted a guy who can simply get buckets! (21.9ppg, 23.2ppg last season). Haws scores at rim (76.1%), from mid-range and from behind the arc. Further, Haws is an 87.2% free throw shooter and he gets to the line a lot (#8 in the nation in FTA with 217 attempts).
At point guard, I wanted a player that thinks pass first and does not turn the ball over. This team does not need a scoring point guard that dominates the ball with the dribble. This team has players that understand ball movement, spacing and cutting without the ball. Monte Morris is the perfect fit for this team. In 2013-2014 Morris committed only 28 turnovers in 1013 minutes. In 2014 Morris had a 4.79 assist-to-turnover ratio, an NCAA record. Thus far in 2014-2015 he has 4.60 assist-to-turnover ratio. All this team needs is a guy who takes care of the ball, makes plays and gets the ball to open scorers. That’s Morris.
There is no debate, Phog Allen is the best home court advantage in America.For a head coach, I went with someone who teaches team basketball. John Beilein’s offense features spacing, screening and ball movement. There is not one pick-and-roll going on with three other guys standing and watching.
There is screening and cutting going on away from the ball. This group would thrive in his system. The Michigan Wolverines led the country in adjusted offensive efficiency in back-to-back years (2013, 2014). In coaching circles, Beilein is considered a genius innovator and is in high demand on the clinic circuit. This team would break scoring records under his direction.
Next: Team Smith