Caputo: Three Comparisons Between The Current Top-Ranked Michigan Wolverines And The Fab 5

January 30, 2013 9:22 AM

CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 27: Trey Burke #3 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket against Nnanna Egwu #32 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the game at Assembly Hall on January 27, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Michigan defeated Illinois 74-60. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Reporting i) Pat Caputo

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Caputo & Fithian, Michigan, Sports

By: Pat Caputo

1. With all due respect to Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr and Glenn Robinson III, the top-end players on the Fab 5 were much better. Chris Webber was a truly great player, a borderline Hall of Famer, who was just bigger and more athletic than any of the current Wolverines. Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard had long and successful NBA careers after playing brilliantly at Michigan.

2. The present Wolverines are probably a little better top-to-bottom in the usual playing rotation. Jimmy King and Ray Jackson rode the coatails of Webber, Rose and Howard. If it weren’t for The Big 3, The Fab 5 would have been The Forgotten 2.

3. The current edition of the Wolverines is more understated, but effective. The Fab 5 was all about flash and dash, in addition to their extraordinary success.