5 favorite IU player since you have been a fan
- Thread starter kurt cloverdales
- Start date
Hangin out again at the truck stop outside Louisville?
Recker, don't see how he's in anyone's top 5, not named Recker!
Haven't answered, but mine are pretty standard ones I'd think. My memory goes back to '76, but only because of friends who were big IU fans and we watched a couple tournament games together.
Isiah Thomas
Steve Alford
Brian Evans
Calbert Cheaney
DJ White
HM: Buckner, May, Woodson, Tolbert, Kitchel, Henderson, Eyl, Anderson, D Thomas, Edwards, Reynolds, Gordon, Jackson-Davis.
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Well, my name isn't Recker, and he may or may not have any idea who I am, but I do have some bias. Besides, the poll is "favorite" not "best". I'll admit without my bias he wouldn't be anywhere near my list. I do stand by my statement that he would have been an all-time great had he stayed, though.
I get having personal preferences or biases. One of my honorable mentions was Eyl, who was never seen as a key contributor but was a great glue guy. Beyond that, he was there when I was, and I had a buddy who knew him and always said what a nice guy he was, so he was on my list. But, I think most IU fans were disappointed, not just in Recker leaving, but how he left, and that he then ended up at Iowa playing for Alford. I never had a problem with any of that, but no, he'd not be in my list of top 100 favorite Hoosiers of all time.
Yeah, and I'd be right there with everybody, but knowing a little of the backstory, I'm at least a little sympathetic, and can't say I completely blame him. A few other guys from that era were darn close to walking, too (in addition to the ones that did). I'm sure a lot of it was the cultural softening that babied players (and is even worse now), but as much as I think CRMK is one of if not the greatest teacher of the game all time, he did himself no favors.
He was no diplomat that's for sure and that's one thing I loved about the guy. That's exactly why the press hated him. He wouldn't kiss their ass.
Maybe they hated him because he treated them like crap? Hard to know how much he knew everyone in the room, but walking in and talking down to a bunch of guys who are mostly just trying to do their job, is just being a jerk and he seemed to relish that quite often. Woodson I think has a terrific attitude with the press and gives thoughtful responses usually. I know they appreciate that, and he certainly isn't kissing their ass.
Who gives a rat's ass what the press appreciates. What was it he used to say? Most of us learn to write in the 2nd grade and then go on to more important things.
Hard to understand why he's your hero. Yeah, it's cool to be an ass to a whole group of people just trying to do their job and who report on your team to your fans... who cares about the fans? Wait a minute...
And the writer comment? Yeah, another cute and funny comment until you start to think about it. I mean, who wants great writers? Wait a minute...
he was a great basketball coach. he was also an asshole of a human being at times. helped a lot of people and hurt a lot of people along the way.
These are not "just" based on stats: I also consider their style of play as well as their personality on and off the court. So, in no particular order:
Vic
OG
Yogi
Big McGinnis
Vic OG Yogi Big McGinnis
5 years from now I hope to be able to say...
Liam McNeeley
Boogie Fland
Jakai Newton
Malik Reneau
Derik Queen
Honorable mention: Gabe Cubbs, CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks
"I'm old enough to remember watching greats like Victor Olidipo and Cody Zeller, and can vaguely remember older greats like Calbert Cheaney and Damon Bailey. But this group brought us our 6th banner, and I waited so long for it, that they'll always be my favorite I think."
Liam McNeeley
Boogie Fland
Jakai Newton
Malik Reneau
Derik Queen
Honorable mention: Gabe Cubbs, CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks
"I'm old enough to remember watching greats like Victor Olidipo and Cody Zeller, and can vaguely remember older greats like Calbert Cheaney and Damon Bailey. But this group brought us our 6th banner, and I waited so long for it, that they'll always be my favorite I think."
I would say 90 percent of the players who transferred and a 100 percent of the people he was an ass to for no reason.
Don't get thinking it's great that he was a d!ck, because he could be. Why do you think that's so great (and you're far from alone!)? I much prefer, and have way more respect, for people, especially of some prominence, who treat others kindly when they don't have to, unless the person in question has proven not to have earned it. If he thought a writer was biased or unfair repeatedly, I get that, but to walk into a room of writers with a chip on your shoulder and the intent to insult them for doing their job is just being a douche and was beneath him.
I left my sentimental favorite off the list....but he needs to be mentioned: Steve Eyl.
I listed him as honorable mention so I'm glad there's another Steve Eyl fan out there! Were you at IU while he was there?
Nope....not an alum. Just a life long IU BB fan. Eyl was the John Laskowski of his time at IU.
Hillman was another pretty good glue guy on those teams!
