2 Shades of Gray - Ranking ISU Bball Top 10

[Cyinthenorth]

1. Fizer, not sure how you even debate this
2. Georges, outstanding run he had here
3. Fred, don't really remember seeing him play, but stats and first-hand accounts speak for themselves
4. Royce, without him the program turn around doesn't happen as quickly, nor maybe at all. Plus the dude was skilled
5. Tinsley. Hard to justify putting him over Monte, but did advance further into the NCAA Tournament.
6. Monte. He and Tinsley are basically 5a and 5b
7. Curtis, underrated everywhere he ever went, including in Cyclone fans memories. The '06 team underachieved, otherwise he'd be even higher
8. Abdel. The guy played with an unmistakable chip on his shoulder. If only he could have figured it out just a bit sooner, his potential was and still is off the charts (see his D League stats)
9. Babb, great defender, rebounder for his position and could shoot a sweet, sweet J
10. Ejim, can't leave Mr. Hustle off the list.

HM: Clyburn, Burton, McGee, Homan, Pearson, Sullivan, Horton, Shirley, Staple, Blalock, Brackins, Gilstrap, DG, Scotty C, Kane, Vette

 

[rholtgraves]

I would have to say top ten in no particular order are
Niang
White
Fizer
Tinsley
Cato
Ejim
Kane
Hoiberg
Morris
Willoughby

With Stinson and Brackins as the next two.

 

[rholtgraves]

They need to hang Fizers jersey. Not sure why that hasn't been done yet.

 

[CySmurf]

If you see a list of the best NBA players of the 2000's, do you get upset they don't include Kareem? I mean the criteria was quite clear.

OK...I get your point...I'm not upset at all.
Just merely pointing out a large number of ISU fans, people who enjoy this site also, are older and do remember seeing guys play between '80-'90.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

They need to hang Fizers jersey. Not sure why that hasn't been done yet.

Not eligible

 

[imnclone]

I get Niang, Hoiberg and Morris being ranked high because they were good players on and off the court.

However, Tinsley is the best player to be on the court for ISU from 1990-2017. The big 12 was just as tough when he played as it is now. His teams won back to back conference championships. He also started over 400 games in the NBA which no one else in this era will ever do.

Fizer had one great year, but I give Tinsley some credit for his success. Royce could have.....nevermind

 

[isu83]

Absolute best players
1. Tinsley, Royce, and Fizer and Niang . All were good enough to be great pro players as well.

The rest which would include pretty much all players mentioned. One I might add would be Kenny Pratt.

 

[laminak]

Impact
1. Georges - 4 NCAA tourney, 2 B12 tourney titles, helped start our current best run in school history, more impactful player than Fred IMO
2. Fred - Interchangable with Georges, but only because he came back to coach, and I put more emphasis on playing
3. Fizer - Only McD's AA, Big 12 regular season title and 1st team AA, highest draft pick in school history at #4, best ISU NCAA finish ever
4. Monte - 4 NCAA tourney, 3 B12 tourney titles, all time assist and steals leader, all time NCAA ATO leader
5. Tinsley - Only back to back regular season Big 12 titles, 1st team AA, best ISU NCAA finish ever
6. Ejim - 3 NCAA tourneys and Big 12 POY, Big 12 most points in game, the rock in the time of transfers
7. Royce - Led ISU back to the tourney, led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
8. Willoughby - Fuzzy memory as I was young but feel like he deserves to be here
9. Naz - 5 NCAA tourney, team leader during our best run in school history, hit big shots and great ambassador
10. Kane - Not sure we make tourney without him, 7 man rotation (6 with Georges broken foot), Monte FR mentor
Honorable Mention: Stinson, Homan, Vroman, Sullivan, DG, Brackins, Babb, Ellerman, Stu

I put a higher preference to 4 year guys and winners.

You forgot Cato.

 

[NATEizKING]

You forgot Cato.

Cato kind of before my time too but should be on there.

 

[rholtgraves]

Not eligible

I'm saying I don't care what their excuse is. Get it done

 

[83Clone]

Fizer
Tinsley
Niang
Morris
Hoiberg
Cato
Stinson
Brackins
Ejim
Willoughby


I intentionally and arbitrarily left off one year players, White and Kane being the 2 that would have challenged to make my list otherwise

 

[JohnnyAl]

1. Tinsley
2. Fizer
3. Niang
4. Monte
5. Fred
6. Cato
7. Thigpen
8. Willoby
9. Stinson
10. Brakins

on side note for all us old guys from 1980 to 1990
1. Grayer
2. Stevens
3. Hornacek
4. Alexander
5. Harris- Ron
6. Rhodes
7. Collins - Doug

 

[cyclones500]

If the list is since 1990, how do we handle players who overlapped end of '80s/early '90s? Are players required to have played exclusively beginning in 1990-91, or just the majority of their time in '90s.

Cuz Victor Alexander.

 

[cyclones500]

Not an easy list to compile.
Since 1990 (not counting 1-year players):
1. Marcus Fizer
2. Georges Niang
3. Jamaal Tinsley
4. Fred Hoiberg
5. Monte Morris
6. Dedric Willoughby
7. Curtis Stinson
8. Justus Thigpen
9. Kelvin Cato
10. Loren Meyer
***Niang gets nod over Tinsley mainly because 4 years vs. 2 years production.

Runners-up: Julius Michalik, Jake Sullivan, Craig Brackins, Ron Bayless, Jared Homan, Melvin Ejim, Will Blaylock, Diante Garrett, Naz Mitrou-Long.

Underrated team: Stevie Johnson, Kenny Pratt, Jackson Vroman, Matt Thomas, Chris Babb.

Ranking among players with only 1 year within timeframe:
1. Victor Alexander
2. Royce White
3. DeAndre Kane
4. Will Clyburn

 

[ExCyment]

"Just another gym" Tinsley never lost to Kansas. That puts him top three with Fizer and Georges to me. Monte a close fourth.

 

[cyclones500]

Bump ... finally heard the podcast. Like it. But i prefer some rankings in this thread better (including mine ... )