by Micah Hart
For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. With 70% of the vote, the Washington Huskies defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 5-4 play-in game, and for their trouble they get the Kevin Durant-led Texas Longhorns. Let’s take a look:
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Texas Longhorns
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers: 26.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 steals
D.J. Augustin, Bobcats: 20.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.9 steals
Kevin Durant, Thunder: 34.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.4 steals
T.J. Ford, Pacers: 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 0.5 blocks, 2.0 steals
Maurice Evans, Wizards: 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.0 steals
Missed the cut: Damion James, Nets; Daniel Gibson, Cavaliers; Royal Ivey, Thunder; Dexter Pittman, Heat; Avery Bradley, Celtics
Team synopsis: A real title contender, with both Durant and Aldridge providing matchup problems for just about any potential opponent. Augustin is also having a breakout season in Charlotte. Ford is somewhat redundant with Augustin on the floor, but his track record is a little better than rookie Damion James. I could see an argument for James over Ford, but he hasn’t really played enough yet to cement a place over Ford or even Daniel Gibson.
Washington Huskies
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers: 22.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.4 steals
Nate Robinson, Thunder: 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.4 steals
Jon Brockman, Bucks: 9.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.1 steals
Quincy Pondexter, Hornets: 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.0 steals
Spencer Hawes, Sixers: 16.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, 0.7 steals
Missed the cut: none
Team synopsis: The Huskies have only five alums in the NBA, but surprisingly, they fit together fairly conventionally, lineup-wise. Roy is the clear No. 1 option, and in a playground scenario like this you have to think Nate Robinson could be even more dangerous. Hawes and Brockman aren’t well known, but both are capable of holding their own in the low post.
All Ball’s take: Washington was your choice in their matchup against a depleted Ohio State squad in the first round, but can they keep it up against a Texas squad with some real firepower? Brandon Roy would have a big advantage over the diminutive Texas guards, but figuring out who’s going to check Durant could be a nightmare for Washington. Texas has an immense advantage in scoring prowess and athleticism, which in the end could be more than UW can handle.
Results: Texas may have gotten hosed in the NCAA tournament against a Pac-10 foe, but they have no trouble with one in Bragging Rights, as the Longhorns cruise over the Huskies 92%-8%.
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