One of the things I noticed in the lists is that many people Underrate Buckner. I was on Campus and saw the 1974-75 and 1975-76 Teams. He was never big statistically but he was the one guy on the floor who made everyone else better, because he knew the offense and when to get the ball to teammates in perfect situations, and how to set and run the Defense. I have often said that Buckner was the guy who was the perfect Buffer between Knight and the team. Rather than go after the other Players to get their attention and correct things, he could give Buckner the message have him convey it, and nobody got hurt.
Thomas was flashier player, more spectacular scorer and ball handler, but he wasn't the Defender, Rebounder, or overall Leader that Buckner was.