I saw this on one of the UH Facebook groups and brought it here. I’m leaning towards 1983-1984, because as good as our defense is, I don’t think theres an answer for Dream. Maybe if Roberts and Tugler double team him.
The 2024-2025 team would defiantly win, mainly because the 1983-1984 team members are all in their 60s.
Under which rules? The 1983 rules without a shot clock and a 3 point line?
Do you mean 1983-1984 OR 1982-1983?
The latter team was the best of the PSJ era.
I was thinking the poll deliberately avoided 82-83 because there would be no real debate: 82-83 would be the consensus choice.
Well, here’s the thing. In either event, it is too early to say.
Unless and until this team makes at least the NCAA Finals, as the last two PSJ teams did, any comparison between the two is a non-starter.
If this team makes the finals, then it is a fair debate.
And if this team wins a natty, then it becomes our greatest all-time by default.
As for debating which team would win head to head, that’s tough, simply because while this team doesn’t have an inside force like Hakeem….the PSJ era teams didn’t have a three point line.
The three point shooters on this team make your inside game less decisive now than it would have been in the past.
Not exactly apples to apples.
All your points are valid. There are no objective metrics by which to compare the squads. In addition, the rules and the perception by officialdom (specifically including how the game was officiated - remember this was the era of Dean “4 corners” Smith) were vastly different.
So the debate, like so many, invites subjective opinion. As a fan who followed/follows both teams very closely my opinion (which along with 30000 rubles will get you a cup of coffee) is that peak PSJ, aka 82-83, would win and 83-84 (as you note) awaits results.
As a final note. Just writing this reminds me again how much I hate arguing over which Cougar team or player or coach was better. Instead I am reminded again how lucky UH fans are to have had two coaches as great as Guy V. and Kelvin— and to have seen as many amazing players.
The three point line move has drastically changed the sport. Watching the Lakers, Celtics battles were for me basketball golden’s era. But think about the following.
You put the 83 Coogs team on the floor today with today’s rule and what might happen?
Dream grew up playing soccer. By developing his dream shake you can bet your house that he would develop into what lebron james is today.
What about Clyde the Glide? Today’s game would be tailored for him. You think Curry is good? Clyde would blew him away. The list goes on. So to re-structure your question with our 83 squad playing 2025 rules? There would not be any contest.
IMO nothing beats the Lakers, Celtics battle when every position had a definite role. When Center with skills dominated the game.
Take Wembanyama and put him in a 83 game. He might look like Virginia’s Ralph Sampson with an incredible touch.
The talent of the 1983 team was simply above what we have this season.
I am sure that group could have shot 3’s had that rule been in place then.
Dream and Mr. Mean would overwhelm Roberts and Tugler on the Boards.
I say Dream and company win, mostly due to The Dream.
The one thing I miss in today’s game is no one gets out and runs.
Everyone more or less tries to hit the three.
Running and mid range jumpers are a thing of the past.
Watching Clyde or Bennie get the ball at half court was like watching the greatest athletes on the planet in full motion. It was pure beauty.
Ya know, another thing you don’t see nearly as much of any more is a matchup 2-3 zone defense.
That used to be almost the standard defense at the college level thanks to no three point line and no shot clock.
Nowadays, any good team can shoot their way out of a defense like that by hitting a bunch of threes.
Much more man to man with closer defense on the guards now.
Teams simply didn’t play D the way this team does back in the 80s. I think the 83 team would struggle in the half court sets against this team
They definitely played zone more to rest their players on defensive end. Playing defense on a high level definitely impacts your players on the offensive end. Most coaches didn’t want to sacrifice the offense.
To me it is the genius of Sampson that they play so hard on the defensive end and they still have a pretty good offense.
The Coogs tear you up on defense and then force you to defend at least 20 of the 30 seconds. That constant wear and pressure has most every team buckling at the end.
It isn’t genius X and O’s it is his ability to get players to do it.
It’s an interesting question. The '84/84 team was far more talented. The 24/25 team is better coached and more disciplined. I’d give the edge to the 83/84 team as Hakeem and Clyde were way more skilled than anyone on the current team and in general the PSJ team was more athletic. .
With no 3 point line I imagine teams used to just pack the paint and let you shoot from 23’ away…
If you pack the paint on this year’s team… GOODNIGHT!!!
That’s how it was.
As I said, most teams back then played a 2-3 matchup zone.
NOW…it’s mostly man to man of some kind with those three point shooters well covered.
Just a different game today. There is very little continuity today because of the portal and NIL so it’s really unfair to compare PSJ with UH today.
I think the team with two HOFers and top 50 all time players wins handily.
Regardless this team can finish something none of the previous teams ever accomplished.
Let’s win the dang thing and put up statues of our two Hall of Fame coaches!
Here’s a litmus test. Get out your erector chemistry sets.
Okay, this is how you can calculate which team is more accomplished.
How many members of this 2024-25 team are going to be NBA Hall of Famers?
Which members of the 2024-25 are going to get massive shoe contracts? Also, how many current players will have their nominal shoes made.
How many 2024-25 playas are going to be Top 5, not just First Round, draft picks?
Now git in your Cooga Way-waaaaay Back Macheene and see if ur correct!
Fyi : Clyde wasn’t on the 83/84 team. He went pro after his junior year. His last game as a Cougar player was the heartbreaking loss to NC state in 83 (the 82-83 season).
That is certainly one way to measure things.
The thread asks “who wins” (not “who was more accomplished” or “who later got better shoe contracts”).
So, along those lines, just tying that in with your criteria…
…it could be argued that the 82-83 Coogs could not have possibly lost to NC State. And oh how I wish that was true!
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