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Debate: Would Kentucky Wildcats Beat the Philadelphia 76ers?

By Sam Lefkowitz

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Yesterday, in an interview with Sirius XM NBA radio, suns starting guard Eric Bledsoe claimed the University of Kentucky Wildcats would beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a seven-game series.  Thus began a debate that should be over before it even begins.

Yes: following yesterday’s 11-point loss to the Boston Celtics, the 76ers fell to 0-11.  it should be pointed out that the 76ers hung with Boston throughout most of the contest – and this isn’t the first time this season the winless 76ers have stayed close with another team . Just this past Friday, the 76ers almost pulled off a shocking upset over one of the top teams in the western conference, the Houston Rockets, losing by a single point on the road. Sure, they are still winless, and they are without a doubt one of, if not the worst team in the association. Nevertheless, there is not a doubt in my mind that the 76ers would not only defeat, but also blowout any college basketball team, including Kentucky.

From my perspective, there is nothing more ludicrous than the notion that a college basketball team could defeat a professional NBA squad. On a rudimentary level, NBA players generally have far more playing experience than college kids. Professionals have a better grasp of offensive and defesnive concepts, which would allow them to be able to score/defend against anything a college team throws at them.

Additionally, and in my opinion the most obvious reason why a college team would get destroyed by a NBA team is that MOST NBA PLAYERS WERE THESE STAR PLAYERS AT BIG COLLEGE PROGRAMS LIKE KENTUCKY.

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If you don’t believe me, lets look at the starting lineup Philadelphia threw at Boston last night and there college careers.

Guard- Michael Carter-Williams: Drafted 11th overall out of Syracuse after his sophomore season, Carter-Williams shined in his rookie season, averaging 16.7 points per game and averaging just over 6 rebounds and assists per game, which was good enough to be the 2013-2014 NBA rookie of the year.

Guard- Hollis Thompson: While he went undrafted while coming into the league, Thompson was a consistent player in his college days. Averaging 12.8 points per game in his final season, Thompson went into the league as an undervalued player out of Georgetown

Forward- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute: An early second round draft pick by the Bucks in 2008, Moute was an stud in college. While the stats weren’t immensely impressive, Moute was phenomenal on the boards and on defense for UCLA throughout his career.

Forward- Nerlens Noel: Probably every reader knows who this guy is. While a torn ACL caused the Kentucky-product to fall to sixth overall in the 2013 NBA draft and cost the lengthy forward the entire 2013-2014 season, Noel is back in action with Philidelphia. Not only did he play at Kentucky, but he was one of the best players Kentucky has had for a while in college, and that is saying something with the talent that has been on the Wildcats in recent years.

Center- Henry Sims: A slight exception to the trend of college stars on the lineup, Sims contributed greatly in his final season at Georgetown, averaging 11.6 points per game. While he may not have been highly touted coming out of college like guys such as Noel and Carter-Williams, Sims’ size could be an issue for smaller college kids.

In addition to all these players, Philadelphia has other first round talent (such as Tony Wroten). These more experienced players would be far too skilled for the inexperienced Wildcats to defeat.

What do you think? Do you agree with me that the 76ers would obliterate any college basketball team, or could a college team such as Kentucky take it to the 76ers? Post your ideas in the comments.

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