best defenders in the country?

Jimmy Chitwood

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while Redick and Morrison are deservedly getting pub for the incredible numbers they are putting up offensively, i thought i'd start a thread on guys who get it done on the other end of the floor.

so here's a list of a few guys who have caught my attention on the REAL side of the ball. i won't include any black dudes, although i think Gonzaga's Erroll Knight and Duke's Shelden Williams would both make my top 5.

Mike Gansey G/F West Virginia: arguably the best all-around defender in the country. can guard multiple positions inside and outside. an amazing player.

Wes Miller G North Carolina: despite being just 5'11", Miller draws the assignment of guarding the opponent's best perimeter scorer, and since his insertion into the starting lineup UNC has won four of their last five.

Steven Hill C Arkansas: while still very much a work in progress on the offensive end of the floor, he is the most dominant defensive player in the SEC. just a sophomore, Hill led the league in blocked shots last season and is on his way to doing so again this year. a true 7'0", he is still quick and athletic and can guard smaller players on the perimeter. amazingly agile big man.

Chris Hernandez PG Stanford: the type of player who can dominate a game and not score a single bucket. a complete point guard that makes his teammates better while disrupting the opposing PG's game. although very skilled offensively, prides himself on his defense.

Greg Brunner PF Iowa: a rugged defender who plays bbelow the rim, Brunner still manages to clean the glass and check his man while still getting his points. A versatile player who can guard bigger men with his strength and quick feet.

who else do you guys like?
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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what? nobody here cares about defense?

with as many of you watching the Duke-UNC game the other night, i'm sure some of you had to hear dookie V talking about Wes Miller's defense. they even isolated him in one camera shot. he looked INCREDIBLY focused and intense. awesome!

also, in the West Virginia-Pittsburgh game last night, WV couldn't buy a basket, but their defense kept them in the game and gave them a chance to win despite their amazingly cold shooting. they were so off they could barely hit the floor with their dribble, but their D, especially Gansey's, gave 'em a shot.
 
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Brian Snider from Western Michigan can guard all three perimeter
positions at 6-6, with toughness like a Bobby Hansen/Bill Hanzlick (sp?)/
Dudley Bradley type. WMU has a kid sitting out, Michael Redell, who is an
outstanding pg defender at 6-0.
 

ocaamikedm11

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Iowa as a team plays great defense which is why their games are such low scoring affairs... except today and they picked up a win over a struggling Indiana team. When they showed Miller staring right into the midsection of the player he was guarding I was very impressed, it's one of those things coaches preach and players rarely do, and to see a guy work so hard on the defensive end is rare nowadays and I was happy to see Miller's defensive intensity... and he also guarded Redick a lot of the game, no easy task for any player.
 

Colonel_Reb

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Brunner led #19 Iowa in scoring and rebounds today in a big win over #21 Indiana.
 
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