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Let's break down Team Lou Henson from my fantasy draft of my 30 favorite Illinois men's basketball players of my 30-year fandom!
Team Henson
PG: Deron Williams (#1 Overall Pick)
SG: Kevin Turner (#24 Overall Pick)
SF: Lucas Johnson (#25 Overall Pick)
PF: Roger Powell Jr. (#13 Overall Pick)
C: Marcus Griffin (#12 Overall Pick)
Draft Recap
Henson began the draft by taking Williams above anyone else, a wonderful player to start the team. After waiting eleven picks and seeing three big men go in the second round, Henson got a winning center in Marcus Griffin, who will get way more touches on this team. Henson followed up with the ultimate glue guy Roger Powell Jr., another player who will have a heavier offensive role. In the fourth round, Henson made the intriguing pick of X-factor Kevin Turner, whose shooting should complement Williams quite well. Henson began the fifth round with his shrewdest pick, adding Lucas Johnson to round out the starting five.
One-Word Description of This Team: TOUGHNESS!
Coach Lou Henson drafted five competitors, with Williams the #1 overall pick in the entire draft in large part to his attitude that he is the best player on the court. Henson's team is one that will defend and fight. The Williams and Kevin Turner backcourt is very intriguing as Turner should benefit from Williams' ability to get in the paint off the bounce. Center Marcus Griffin will be asked to do a lot more scoring than he had to during his Fighting Illini career, when he played on a loaded team with Brian Cook, Robert Archibald and Damir Krupalija down low. Henson has two incredible glue guys with Roger Powell Jr. and Lucas Johnson. To be successful, this team will make its living defending and need balanced scoring. Williams will have to look for more offense than he did at Illinois.
Concerns: Size, Foot Speed, Athleticism and Scoring
Team Henson has no player bigger than the 6'9'' Griffin. At the forward spots Johnson and Powell could struggle with quicker, taller and more athletic players. While Turner and Williams can shoot the three, with Johnson and Powell able to hit spot up threes, there is no dead-eye shooter on this team. If the shooting is not there, and this team is spread out on the perimeter on the defensive end, there could be challenges.
Overall Thoughts
This team will be a tough opponent due to the competitiveness across the starting five. Williams will back down to no one, and Griffin has won throughout high school and college. Turner and Powell will need to be consistent third and fourth scoring options while Johnson will make his calling on the defensive end. Still, there will be little ego on this team, which will be all about winning, with each player understanding and playing his role.
Team Henson
PG: Deron Williams (#1 Overall Pick)
SG: Kevin Turner (#24 Overall Pick)
SF: Lucas Johnson (#25 Overall Pick)
PF: Roger Powell Jr. (#13 Overall Pick)
C: Marcus Griffin (#12 Overall Pick)
Draft Recap
Henson began the draft by taking Williams above anyone else, a wonderful player to start the team. After waiting eleven picks and seeing three big men go in the second round, Henson got a winning center in Marcus Griffin, who will get way more touches on this team. Henson followed up with the ultimate glue guy Roger Powell Jr., another player who will have a heavier offensive role. In the fourth round, Henson made the intriguing pick of X-factor Kevin Turner, whose shooting should complement Williams quite well. Henson began the fifth round with his shrewdest pick, adding Lucas Johnson to round out the starting five.
One-Word Description of This Team: TOUGHNESS!
Coach Lou Henson drafted five competitors, with Williams the #1 overall pick in the entire draft in large part to his attitude that he is the best player on the court. Henson's team is one that will defend and fight. The Williams and Kevin Turner backcourt is very intriguing as Turner should benefit from Williams' ability to get in the paint off the bounce. Center Marcus Griffin will be asked to do a lot more scoring than he had to during his Fighting Illini career, when he played on a loaded team with Brian Cook, Robert Archibald and Damir Krupalija down low. Henson has two incredible glue guys with Roger Powell Jr. and Lucas Johnson. To be successful, this team will make its living defending and need balanced scoring. Williams will have to look for more offense than he did at Illinois.
Concerns: Size, Foot Speed, Athleticism and Scoring
Team Henson has no player bigger than the 6'9'' Griffin. At the forward spots Johnson and Powell could struggle with quicker, taller and more athletic players. While Turner and Williams can shoot the three, with Johnson and Powell able to hit spot up threes, there is no dead-eye shooter on this team. If the shooting is not there, and this team is spread out on the perimeter on the defensive end, there could be challenges.
Overall Thoughts
This team will be a tough opponent due to the competitiveness across the starting five. Williams will back down to no one, and Griffin has won throughout high school and college. Turner and Powell will need to be consistent third and fourth scoring options while Johnson will make his calling on the defensive end. Still, there will be little ego on this team, which will be all about winning, with each player understanding and playing his role.
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