Morning Brew, 1/06: Was Devin Harris A Better College Player Than Dee Brown?

Good morning, y'all.

It's Cold. Real, Real Cold.

Midwest life outdoors today promises certain death. If the temperature doesn't kill you, the eight foot icicle hanging from your roof might, so don't slam the front door too hard on your way to work. Just stay inside and follow the cold and couped up groundwork you laid this weekend.

There you are, watching the NFL playoffs and leading the sedentary lifestyle that a negative-50 degree windchill breeds. When the weather forces your hand, follow it's guidance and grab a blanket. Just watch out for those bedsores. And the inability to walk.

The Brew Has A Beef

Yesterday, Jeremy Werner of ESPN Radio 93.5 and Orange and Blue News tweeted the following list after (presumably) watching a Big Ten Network special on the top guards of the 2000s.

In best guards of 2000s episode, #illini have 3 of top 5: 1 Deron Williams, 3 Dee Brown, 5 Frank Williams. Devin Harris 2, Kalin Lucas 4

— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) January 6, 2014

To recap in proper list form:

1. Deron Williams (Illinois)

2. Devin Harris (Wisconsin)

3. Dee Brown (Illinois)

4. Kalin Lucas (Michigan St.)

5. Frank Williams (Illinois)

In terms of quantity, Illinois has a right to be proud now, just as we had a reason to boast then, when Frankie, Deron and Dee were filling it up en route to conference titles.

Their names on the list brings back some pride. But their order on the list brings a point of contention, primarily at spots No. 2 and No. 3. Following Werner's tweet last night, I chimed in with my thoughts and a mini-group debate started. Let's expand that debate now.

Was Devin Harris a better Big Ten guard than Dee Brown?

My initial thought was, "No." And after more thinking, my answer is still a biased but resolute, "No." Here is the data.

Dee Brown's Career (via Sports-Reference.com):

Season			G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%				3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%			TRB	AST	STL	BLK			PTS
2002-03	Illinois		32	1090	142	327	.434				51	155	.329	49	72	.681			119	159	57	0			384
2003-04	Illinois		33	1153	160	389	.411				71	205	.346	49	73	.671			123	147	51	3			440
2004-05	Illinois		39	1272	179	359	.499				99	228	.434	61	79	.772			104	177	70	3			518
2005-06	Illinois		33	1183	157	437	.359				78	243	.321	78	103	.757			102	191	53	1			470
Career	Illinois		137	4698	638	1512	.422				299	831	.360	237	327	.725			448	674	231	7			1812

Devin Harris' Career (via Sports-Reference.com):

Additional notes:

- In Devin Harris' and Dee Brown's junior seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively) each won Big Ten Player of the Year. Brown also won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year his junior season.

- With Illinois, Dee Brown reached the Sweet 16 in 2004 and the National Championship game in 2005. His other two season resulted in second round exits.

- With Wisconsin, Devin Harris reached the Sweet 16 once, exiting in the second round in his other two tournament appearances.

- In Dee Brown's final season (2005-06)--often viewed as a letdown following the 37-win season--the Illini went 26-7 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

- In Devin Harris' final season (2003-04)--his most successful and best statistical season--the Badgers went 25-7 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

- Devin Harris had a significantly better NBA career than Dee Brown, a fact that is irrelevant for the sake of this argument.

- Dee Brown averaged 28.5 wins per season.

- Devin Harris averaged 22.6 wins per season.

- Dee Brown was an icon in both the state of Illinois and the country.

- Dee Brown wore a headband and high socks. He stuck his thumbs in his jersey, letting everyone know what motherf---ing team he played for. And he was the face, if not the best player, on the best Big Ten team of the decade.

- Dee Brown should probably be the list's No. 1.

Every bullet point is fact, except the last one, which is gospel. Take them all into account and discuss. Was Devin Harris really a better Big Ten guard than Dee Brown?