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Your participation in this exercise would be greatly appreciated

by Staff in Commentary | July 28th, 2008

Back in the summer of 2007 (we say that like it was so long ago), we formed Inside the Hall as a place to talk Hoosier basketball 365 days a year. We’re now officially in the dog days of summer: the AAU circuit is wrapping up, the former Hoosiers have found their new homes and the new coaching staff is finally settling into their offices in Bloomington.

With that said, we’ve been forced to go to the drawing board for some creative ideas to keep the discussion moving forward. And luckily, we’ve managed to do that in a manner that we think you’ll enjoy.

Here’s the task: Counting down the top 10 players to ever don the cream and crimson. It’s going to work like this: You give us your lists in the comments and your input will count as 1/4 of the final result. The three of us will also make our lists and we’ll put this information together and count down the top 10.

Those of you who are already actively commenting, keep doing your thing. Those of you who read everyday and never comment, now is the time to enter the conversation. (If you’re not sure how to get started with the whole commenting thing, click here.) We’ll give it until Saturday to allow the lists to come in and then we’ll get started with the festivities next week. Now, get to work on those lists, boys and girls.

Tags:
  • BFowler
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Walt Bellamy
    3. Steve Alford
    4. George McGinnis
    5. Isiah Thomas
    6. Jimmy Rayl
    7. Mike Woodson
    8. Don Schlundt
    9. Scott May
    10. Alan Henderson
  • BFowler
    Good idea about the history of the person making the list. Here is a short history:
    I started watching/listening to IU BBall about the 1984-85 time era (Uwe Blab, Stu Robinson, et al), but I love digging into the history and am definitly most fond of the late '80 to early '90s teams. I used to watch the games on WTTV-4 on a 13" B&W (that is Black and White to you youngsters) TV with Chuck Marlowe(?) (I can not remember his last name) on the broadcast. Although DJ White, Tom Coverdale, Brian Evans, Damon Bailey, Quinn Buckner, and Jared Jeffries are among my favorite players, I can not say they are among the 10 greatest of all time. I would put Kent Benson as number 11 though.
  • Excellent stuff. Hope you stick around and comment more often.
  • BFowler
    Thanks, I really like your blog, you guys do an excellent job. Any time you do a list, I'm in. I such a degenerate fo this stuff.
  • IUBBALL81
    Where is Randy Wittman?
  • BFowler
    I believe he is the head coach in Minnesota for the T-Wolves..........With any list you are going to leave people out that is my personal vote for 10 greatest players, I love Guyton and Whittman and Moye and Edwards. I knew I would leave some out, and I know that many people have personal favorites, but I do like Whittman, just not top 10.
  • It might be good for people to state when they really became a fan or interested in IU basketball, just to clarify their positioning. For instance, I'm 30 and didn't become an IU fan until 1988 or 89 after my family moved to Indiana. That's going to greatly influence my list because I wasn't born during the 75-76 run and was to young to watch Isiah.

    Just a thought. I'll be back with my list later.
  • Good idea, although I think things should balance out because my list, R's list and E's list will take into account the entire history of IU basketball. We do realize that some of the younger fans may only take their lists back to the 70's.
  • Just a thought. I'm going to do my best to go back in history to before I was actually a fan as well. I'm more of a historian when it comes to basketball anyways and am definitely familiar with IU's past before I became a huge fan.

    I'm sure you'll get a good mix of responses. This is a great idea to kill some down time. Another idea for later in the summer could be top 10 list of your favorite IU teams from the past.
  • We'll definitely keep things moving over the next couple of months leading up to Hoosier Hysteria. As always, thanks for the input.
  • bahickma
    I believe most IU fans will take the entire history of IU into account anyways. I was born in '86 but I was raised better than to exclude some of the old-timers from this list.
  • Millport
    Alphabetically...
    Alford
    Bellamy
    Benson
    Cheaney
    Dees
    Henderson
    May
    Thomas
    VanArsdale (Call it a tie)
    Woodson

    Close...
    Buckner
    Leonard
    Rayl
    Wilkerson
    Downing

    Played football at IU from 67 to 71.
    Grew up in a bb family, I was the one who couldn't shoot straight. I saw all of these players at least once in person.
  • you were at IU from 67-71 and DON'T have George McGinnis ('70-71) on your list?

    how is that possible?
  • wahoo23
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Isiah Thomas
    4. Scott May
    5. Jimmy Rayl
    6. Walt Bellamy
    7. Don Schlundt
    8. Mike Woodson
    9. Kent Benson
    10. Alan Henderson

    Honorable Mention: Damon Bailey, George McGinnis, Brian Sloan
  • Millport
    I knew and liked George. I don't know if you ever saw George play at IU. Those were the worst times in IU roundball history. Many times George would not take more than three steps past half court.. Steve on the other hand played the game correctly. George became a great pro. But I would not put him on the top 10 players from IU. Sorry.
  • MPmike
    How can you forget JAY EDWARDS. One of the most clutch shooters in high school and college basketball history. I remember back in the spring of 1989, Jay hitting a three pointer at the buzzer to beat Michigan by 1 point at Assembly Hall. That was incredible! Bob Knight was jumping for joy along with Dukie V. Jay almost did it again against that Final Four team in Illinois but Nick Anderson spoiled the party with he hit a half court shot at the buzzer to beat IU. Jamal Meeks just collasped on the floor with disbelief when that shot went in, how heartbreaking.

    Here is my top Ten of All-time in no order:
    1- Jay Edwards
    2- Isiah Thomas
    3- Steve Alford
    4- Calbert Cheaney
    5- Scott May
    6- Walt Bellamy
    7- George McGinnis
    8- Mike Woodson
    9- Jimmy Rayl
    10- Bill Garrett

    Next five: 1) Kent Benson 2) Alan Henderson 3) Don Schlundt 4) Archie Dees 5) Quinn Buckner .

    Honorable mention: A.J. Guyton, Jared Jeffries, Dick Van Arsdale, Dan Van Arsdale, Steve Downing, Ted Kitchel, Randy Wittman, Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Damon Bailey, Greg Graham, Bobby Wilkerson, Ray Tolbert.
  • Kelin Blab
    Wow Jay Edwards....I think he gets overlooked because of the off court issues but you cannot argue his game, he was clutch....mmm top 15 maybe....
  • HoosierSmitty
    I hear ya about Jay, but not sure about #1. Great memory of watching that Illinois game with my older bro. Jay is one of the first IU players I really remember. So glad my bro got me in to the Hoosiers even though we were from Lafayette. (Of course I always thought it was Kendal Gil hitting that shot until someone corrected my memory and showed me the video earlier this year on ITH...God I hate Illinois)
  • Edwards was great, but I don't see how he could possibly be in the top three, much less the best Indiana player of all-time. No way he goes ahead of Isiah or Cheaney.

    1) Isiah Thomas (can't understate his impact)
    2) Calbert Cheaney (has all the records)
    3) George McGinnis (almost every long-time IU fan will tell you that he is the most talented player in IU history - i only put him this low because i never got to see him play)
    4) Steve Alford (a star among role players in '87)
    5) The trio of Benson/Buckner/May (all three of them were great together and it's not worth separating them)
    6) Jimmy Rayl (the best shooter in IU history)
    7) Walt Bellamy (along with Isiah, he also had the best pro career of any Hoosier)
    8) Mike Woodson (overlooked because he didn't play for a title team)
    9) DJ White (the lone bright spot during a dark period in IU bball)
    10 tie) Jay Edwards (Mr. Clutch himself) - AJ Guyton (seriously underrated)

    Honorable mention: Alan Henderson, Jared Jeffries, Damon Bailey, the Van Arsdales, Landon Turner, Tom Coverdale (heart and soul)
  • Kelin Blab
    Well here we go...I almost had some controversy on my list adding Bracey Wright.....then I sobered up......

    1. I.Thomas- Best PG IU has had
    2. Steve Alford - Did what he did VERY well
    3. Cal Cheaney - could have been higher but no ring
    4. Scott May - 1976 undefeated
    5. Mike Woodson - see above
    6. AJ Guyton- always gets left off these list
    7. DJ White - Became an Indiana kid by his work ethic. One of the best post IU has had
    8. Damon Bailey- He was Indiana basketball
    9. Quinn Buckner- Remember when Indiana was about man 2 man D
    10. Eric Gordon - Numbers don't lie (KS does)

    Honorable Mention: Landon Turner, Tom Cloverdale, McGinnis, ALan Henderson,

    Mike Davis Honorable mention: Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks "He will always be a hoosier"
  • I hate to comment before I post my list and open myself to criticism as well, but I have to disagree with DJ White being so high. I love DJ and can't thank him enough for helping the program weather this storm a little better, but I don't think he's top 10 in IU history.

    He wasn't as good or nearly as consistent as Alan Henderson. Obviously injuries derailed DJ's career, but what DJ did his senior year, Henderson did for 4 years.
  • birdbutch
    1. Bellamy
    2. McGinnis
    3. Cheaney
    4. Don Schlundt
    5. Jimmy Rayl
    6. Isaiah Thomas
    7. Scott May
    8. Mike Woodson
    9. Steve Alford
    10. Steve Downing
  • HoosierSmitty
    IU Top 10 Greats - THIS WAS TOUGH!

    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Walt Bellamy
    3. Steve Alford
    4. Jimmy Rayl
    5. Kent Benson
    6. Isaiah Thomas
    7. Don Schlundt
    8. Alan Henderson
    9. Mike Woodson
    10. A. J. Guyton

    Honorable Mention (10 in Alpha): Eric Anderson, Damon Bailey, Tom Coverdale, Archie Dees, Steve Downing, Brian Evans, Kirk Haston, Scott May, George McGinnis, Randy Wittman

    Wow, talk about tough. Became an IU fan as a little kid in the 80s, but I love my IU history, so I tried to take everything in to account. This was a tough list. How do you exclude Tom Coverdale, who embodied so much of what we believe is IU basketball? Or Brian Evans, a former Big Ten Player of the Year? Or Damon Bailey, one of the most highly publicized players of all-time? Or even the great Scott May? I'll probably the only one to leave him off. It was really tough to make this list without numerous ties, lol. Hence the HM list.
  • Kelin Blab
    Smitty we must be related down the line somewhere bro....AJ Guyton was on my list too and no one elses......DJ White vs. ALan Henderson is tough for me, but I went DJ because of his Senior year.....
  • HoosierSmitty
    Guyton top four scorer all-time. Sick dribbling moves, sweet shot, long body. He was fun to watch

    Henderson - I remember Henderson getting pushed out of bounds under the basket and he turned and shot it against the BACK of the backboard and got foul shots. Proof that he knew how to use the glass like no other. If he had stayed healthy, we win the title the year were the one seed. 1993 or 1994...can't remember

    I hope DJ can have a solid run in the NBA like Alan did.
  • HoosierSmitty
    TOP TEN WHAT COULD HAVE BEENS? NOT THE ACTUAL LIST

    Disclaimer: Sorry guys, I couldn’t resist posting this one after seeing the Josh Smith reference. I threw it together quick, but it’s an interesting list nonetheless.

    Top 10 – What Could Have Beens? - These guys were either Hoosiers or were committed to being Hoosiers. For whatever reason (injury, length of career, never showed up) they never had a chance to have the career we wish they could have had. No real specific order.

    1. Larry Bird – So hard to even believe this sometimes…wasn’t meant to be.
    2. Josh Smith – Dude is a freakshow in the NBA, we almost had that?
    3. Bracey Wright – Never was what we thought he would be. Good, never great.
    4. Eric Gordon – Poor end to season and the scandal always will make us wonder.
    5. Jay Edwards – Off-court issues never let his career fully develop.
    6. Andrae Patterson – Disappointment overall, but hey there’s always Duke in the pre-season NIT.
    7. Landon Turner – We all know his story.
    8. Luke Recker – Left a great situation at IU.
    9. Jared Jeffries – Never seemed to have the game we thought he should have.
    10. Charlie Miller – Who? Yeah, this guy was supposed to be Cheaney v. 2.0
  • jgongora86
    what about Oscar Robinson. He desperately wanted to be a hoosier, but our coach was a racist and choose to go to go to Cinncinati instead. Man if he played for our teams then we would have won at least two national titles with the players we had.
  • HoosierSmitty
    Wow..never knew that one. Yeah that's right up there with Bird.
  • Millport
    Robertson, not Robinson. Can't prove or disprove your comments. There was a story about Bob Gibson, wanting to play bb at IU. Branch said no, we have our quotas of blacks. Don't know anything for sure but I met Robert Parrish while he was visiting IU. He ended up at Cenntanary (spelling?).
  • HoosierSmitty
    i read right over that post....i think i just saw Oscar and assumed he wrote Robertson lol...i'm sure that's what he meant to type..it happens...
  • jgongora86
    Yeah I meant Robertson ( my bad). What do you guys want I only had three cups of coffee at that point (joking guys). I heard it at an interview on espn, and later on a sportscentury.
  • nchoosier
    great list by hoosiersmitty. i thought of the same list for some reason. almost identical, but let's throw in Neil Reed, Lawson, and Funderburke?
  • HoosierSmitty
    Good calls...Reed is one of those guys that just plain old makes me mad when I think about that guy.... Lawson could have been good...Funderburke...I could see him in that list somewhere too....hated to see him go...
  • RGH
    Neil Reed - I can't figure that out. He was such a tough kid. I remember him putting his shoulder back in place after he dislocated it during a game, again. Then all that Knight BS stuff. It always made me think something else was going on.

    That kid could have been a legend for something else. Too bad.
  • BFowler
    I like it, but you left out Ivan Renko. The mythical Herculean recruit from the late '80's-early '90's that never appeared....Hmmmm
  • HoosierSmitty
    Classic Bobby Knight mythology there. But you have to exist to count!
  • BFowler
    Agreed, just popped in my head reading your list. Good work by the way.
  • student
    watching patterson single handedly beat duke is one of my earliest memories as a Hoosier fan, and one of my fondest. unbelievable.
    And can we include Sean May as an almost Hoosier? Mike Davis was close to bringing him in...
  • NC Fat Boy
    Um, some might have a different perspective of Mike Davis successfully sent May to UNC.
  • jgongora86
    1.A.J. Moye
    2.Isiah Thomas
    3. Damon Bailey
    4.Quinn Buckner
    5. Scott May
    6.Alan Henderson
    7. Steve Alford
    8. Calbert Cheaney
    9.A.J. Guyton
    10. D.J. White

    I choose A.J. because of personal interest. He was there when I was there, and being a New Yorker going to IU it felt great to see a player far from Indiana so embraced because he had heart and understood what it meant to be a hoosier. He deserved much better than the crap Mike Davis gave him.
  • woodpecker
    1. Jay Edwards ..... I went to HS with him, he's a good dude just got involved with the wrong crowd
    2. Calbert C
    3. Steve Alford ... James Blackmon should have been the Mr. BB
    4. Damon Bailey
    5. Walt Bellamy
    6. George McGinnis
    7. Isiah Thomas
    8. Scott May
    9. Mike Woodson
    10. Bobby Wilkerson
  • Kelin Blab
    no no no, I remember those years of James Blackmon and Alford was the right choice for Mr. Basketball.....JB got the benefit of a 100% green light to shoot.....

    Helluva battle vs. the Lewis brothers though....
  • IUBBALL81
    As far as the Mr. Basketball voting, IU's Stew Robinson in 1983 should have been Mr. Basketball over UK's Roger Hardin.........Old Politics
  • repairmanjack
    Woodpecker, you are dead wrong about James Blackmon. He was great, but Alford in High School was BETTER. I have seen few who dominated the game at the high school level as Alford.
  • woodpecker
    I don't know man, I have seen some of the best basketball Indiana has had to offer since I was a wee little "Giant" and James had no body around him and got his team to the state finals single handed! Where did Steve's team end up? James Blackmon was the greatest HS basketball player I have ever seen! JMO, of course! .... Go Giants .... Purple Reign forever!!!!
  • to some of you who have left George McGinnis off your list:
    30 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 46% FG pct. as a sophomore, before freshman were allowed to play varsity basketball. he was an All-American that year when it was still ridiculous for non-upper classmen to earn that honor. he is only the fifth player in history to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding in the same season. but, because he only played one year and IU was just 17-7 that year and missed the posteason, some diminish the impact he had.

    he was one and done 30 years before one and done became the trend.
  • nchoosier
    1. Thomas
    2. May
    3. Alford
    4. Cheaney
    5. Benson
    6. Henderson
    7. Wittman
    8. Woodson
    9. Evans
    10. Buckner

    AJ Guyton and Damon Bailey had nice careers too.

    Now if you ask me my all-time favorites, that's a little different. Then you talk about DJ, and Moye.
  • I_Hoosier_U
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Isiah Thomas
    3. Scott May
    4. Steve Alford
    5. Damon Bailey
    6. Eric Gordon
    7. Kent Benson
    8. D.J. White
    9. Quinn Buckner
    10. Keith Smart
  • jgongora86
    come on people where is the A.J. Moye love (-:
  • hoosier40
    Calbert
    Walt Bellamy
    George McGinnis
    Steve Alford
    Isiah Thomas
    Scott May
    Alan Henderson
    Kent Benson
    A.J. Guyton
    Damon
  • tyzaksa
    In no particular order,

    Steve Alford
    Isiah Thomas
    Kent Benson
    Don Schlundt
    Alan Henderson
    Calbert Cheaney
    Landon Turner
    AJ Guyton
    Mike Woodson
    George McGinnis
  • bahickma
    No particular order:
    Isiah Thomas
    Steve Alford
    Calbert Cheaney
    Kent Benson
    Scott May
    George McGinnis
    Jimmy Rayl
    Alan Henderson
    Walt Bellamy
    Don Schlundt
  • bahickma
    And what's the deal with Mike Woodson? Some people have Woodson on their lists while leaving off people like May and Benson.
  • hoosier07
    1. Isiah Thomas
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Don Schlundt
    4. Scott May
    5. Calbert Cheaney
    6. DJ White
    7. Quinn Buckner
    8. Kent Benson
    9. Walt Bellamy
    10. ROD WILMONT (my favorite hoosier to watch live, always gave 150% effort on the court every game)
  • hoosierfan27
    This is tough.
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Isiah Thomas
    3. George McGinnis
    4. Alan Henderson
    5. Jimmy Rayl/ Alford (tie)
    6. Scott May
    7. Mike Woodson
    8. Kent Benson
    9. Jay Edwards
    10. Walt Bellamy

    I could go on forever, I hate not including Jared Jeffries( could have been the greatest if he stayed 4 years), Buckner, Damon Bailey, DJ White, Moye, Guyton, Haston, whoever else I forgot
  • cookcmc
    No order:
    Cal Cheaney
    Jay Clutch Edwards
    Scott May
    Kent Benson
    George McGinnis
    Isiah Thomas
    Alan Henderson
    Walt Bellamy
    Steve Alford
    AJ Guyton
  • cookcmc
    I love the could have been list....that should be the next list we all put together
  • bahickma
    We should put a list together of the most loved players in IU history. You know, the guys that weren't All-Americans but got the biggest ovations every year at Hoosier Hysteria and stuff. A lot of names come to mind here because there's so many legends like that who now make up what is Indiana basketball lore.
  • HoosierSmitty
    i agree, i'm already putting together various top ten lists...i'll refrain from going crazy and listing them here...but let's just do a top ten every week.

    Then Big A and the Postmen could be really cool and even have a place in the sidebar of this website with a listing of all those Top Tens and the final voting results.
  • bahickma
    I think it's perfect. You could put together crazy lists of all the stuff that Hoosier fans love. Detailed reporting on it all, and before you know ITH becomes THE resource website for anyone who doesn't know or wants to know more about Indiana University basketball. Think of the possibilities. You could turn this website from an outstanding blog to the hottest spot for all things Hoosier basketball.
  • TXHoosier
    I'm definitely for the fan favorite lists...then I can include guys like Michael Lewis, Greg Graham, and Matt Nover without feeling like I'm snubbing someone.
  • Coverdale!
  • iu04
    1. Isiah Thomas
    2, Calbert Cheaney
    3. Steve Alford
    4. Walt Bellamy
    5. Alan Henderson
    5. Kent Benson
    6. Scott May
    7. George McGinnis
    8. Jimmy Rayl
    9. Mike Woodson
    10. A.J. Guyton
  • Bellamy
    Isiah
    Schlundt
    McGinnis/Downing
    Calbert
    May
    Rayl
    VanArsdales
    Benson
    The Mighty Quinn
  • Kelin Blab
    The most overrated player in IU history.......Charlie Miller

    Most underrated.....AJ Guyton

    Most "why is he in the game player" ...Pat Knight & Larry Richardson

    Player that should HAVE transferred......DJ WHite....went through too much BS at IU

    Player that shouldn't have transferred.....Jordan Crawford & Ben Allen

    Most "WTF was that player".....Cem Dinc and the kid from Chicago named Michael ???? who ended up being a streetball legend.....(someone help me here)
  • IUBBALL81
    Kelin Blab...............That mystery man was Michael Herman
  • Kelin Blab
    clutch bro...I couldn't think of that name for nothing....
  • jgongora86
    I loved AJ Guyton. I was there during his senior year and helped him in anthropology. Good kid, didn't know much about academics, but he cared and tried really hard. I was at the MIchigan State game where he made the shot to get us into overtime. He was clutch and and smooth stroke. I rushed center court and kissed the IU center court piece and embraced the every moment ( it was my first IU game).
  • student
    Charlie Miller should have transferred, he had potential but was in RMK's doghouse his entire career. And Ben Allen clearly should have transferred, he served no purpose to our team.
  • woodpecker
    That whole class was so overrated! Patterson was just a soft player with great potential. And Miller just was not that good, slow, could not shoot, but I really like those 2 because they gave their best. I wish Andre would have found a "mean" streak because he could have been a monster!
  • Kelin Blab
    Student...I think Ben Allen would have helped us last year far far more than Mike White, Deandre, and Taber. Ben was big and if KS would at least let the kid use some of his skills it would have been good for the team. Not to mention DJ could have moved to the 4 sometimes.....

    nevertheless, one more reason to despise KS, hope the bucks go 0-82, hope he gets banned from coaching in college for life, and hoping Kellen Sampson gets a good coaching gig and holds a press conference to denounce and reject his father and change his name to K. Diddy
  • HoosierSmitty
    nice....
  • student
    Ok, I can agree with you on that. Allen was never used properly though, he was really an NBA-type soft power forward, but KS played him as a 5 where he was really uncomfortable. But even still, he was miles ahead of our other big guys. Imagine what DJ could've done without teams constantly double teaming him and leaving our other worthless forwards open. (How many times did we see Taber pass with a wide open ten footer?)
    I've also heard nothing but good things Kellen.
  • MikeinNC
    No particular order, this was tough:

    Buckner - got more out of less, best team ever
    Thomas - best guard in IU history
    Alford - he is Jimmy Chitwood
    May - best player on best team ever
    Cheaney - would have won it all if not for AH knee injury
    Rayl - he was Jimmy Chitwood too
    Schlundt - great leader and competitor
    Bellamy - ditto
    DJ White - heart of a warrior, became a man in front of our eyes
    Benson - best college team ever (Michigan game tip-in? Wow)

    honorable mention: a gozillion great players
  • tetkalee
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Scott May
    3. George McGinnis
    4. Isaiah Thomas
    5. Steve Alford
    6. D.J. White (pretty good stats, but excellent endurance through a lot of crap...and through it all was a Hoosier through and through...that puts him at #6)
    7. Kent Benson
    8. A.J. Guyton (great 4 year player, amazing shooter, All-American his Sr season)
    9. Jay Edwards
    10. Damon Bailey.
  • nchoosier
    i think this is great. obviously there are going to be lots of disagreements. i see some people obviously picking guys with their heart that there is no way they are a top 10 of all-time guys. then i think there are some that are including more modern guys b/c they saw them play and are omitting old school guys and that also happens vice-versa. the other problem we run into are the 1 or 2 year guys. hard to count a jay edwards or jared jeffries, etc.
  • Iuchamps87
    1- Calbert Chaney
    2- Steve Alford
    3- Kent Benson
    4- Isiah Thomas
    5- Scott May
    6- Walt Bellamy
    7- George McGinnis
    8- AJ Guyton
    9- Alan Henderson
    10- Damon Bailey
  • TomCoverdaleIUHero
    Not in any Particular order to hard to rank


    1. Isiah Thomas
    2. Calbert Cheaney
    3. Steve Alford
    4. Walt "Bells" Bellamy
    5.Scott May
    6.Eric Gordon
    7.Mike Woodson
    8.Kent Benson
    9.Alan Henderson
    10.DJ White
  • Here's a question, do you base your list on your top 10 favorite Hoosier players ever, or on accomplishments, talent, etc.? Well, here's my complete list.



    THE TOP 50.

    Steve Alford
    Calbert Cheaney
    Isiah Thomas
    Archie Dees
    Walt Bellamy
    Jimmy Rayl
    Don Schlundt
    Mike Woodson
    Scott May
    Kent Benson



    Alan Henderson
    Bobby "Slick" Leonard
    Dick VanArsdale
    Tom VanArsdale
    Bill Garrett
    A.J. Guyton
    Quinn Buckner
    Damon Bailey
    D.J. White
    Steve Downing
    Ted Kitchel
    Marvin Huffman
    Tom Coverdale
    Eric Gordon
    Lou Watson
    Bob Dro
    Jay Edwards
    Tom Bolyard
    Randy Wittman
    Greg Graham
    George McGinnis
    Kirk Haston
    Ray Tolbert
    Bobby Wilkerson
    Hallie Bryant
    Everett Dean
    Jared Jeffries
    Eric Anderson
    Vern Huffman
    Ernie Andres
    Branch McCracken
    Jon McGlocklin
    Brian Evans
    Ralph Hamilton
    Bracey Wright
    Keith Smart
    Marco Killingsworth
    Landon Turner
    Joe Cooke
    A.J. Moye
  • Marco Killingsworth? You must be joking.
  • woodpecker
    I agree!
  • bahickma
    haha Marco did give us one unforgettable night, though. 36 points on the nation's returning Defensive Player of the Year? Absolutely. A dunk over Greg Paulus to take the lead, which resulted in the perforation of my ear drums? You got it. So much hope for the rest of a season that when we all finally came back down to Earth we realized that the team was basically average-to-slightly-above it was as heartbreaking as any time we had ever endured in our lives? You'd better believe it.
  • Kelin Blab
    mmmm Big A, I could make a case for Killingsworth in the top 50, he didn't have a bad ONE year.
  • IUBBALL81
    Marco was a thug!
  • student
    He was. He had a kid and got married, all in the middle of the season. Kinda feel for him.
  • Well, it really depends on how you base your top ten on: talent, statistics, memorable moments, championships, individual achievements, etc. While Marco only played one season, underachieved, and didn't win any kind of titles, he still had a couple of other things to be included on my top 50 list. He had a lot of talent, just took it for granted and never got into the shape he needed to be in. Memorable moments, he shredded Duke for 36? points in a game that soon won't be forgotten because of the loud and electric atmosphere at Assembly Hall, one Coach K called the loudest place he'd ever seen or been to. Statistics, he averaged 17.1ppg and 7.8rpg. I believe that warrants a spot in the top 50, although if i did a top 100, who knows where he would be placed. (-:
  • add Dean Garrett
  • IUBBALL81
    Gentlemen, Your list is missing the one player who never made a mistake playing the game of basketball. He was a contributing factor for the 1981 Championship!
    His name is Randy Wittman..
  • woodpecker
    I considered him on my list!!!!
  • kylehornsbyrules
    1. Thomas 2. Cheaney 3. May 4. Benson 5. Henderson 6. Alford 7. Jeffries 8. Rayl 9. Wilkerson 10. Hornsby
  • JHardesty
    1. Quinn Buckner
    2. Calvert Cheaney
    3. Scott May
    4. Kent Benson
    5. Isiah Thomas
    6. Damon Bailey
    7. A. J. Guyton
    8. Steve Alford
    9. Alan Henderson
    10. George McGinnis
    I became a fan in the early 70's
  • msdiu81
    1. Isiah Thomas
    2. George McGinnis
    3. Calbert Cheaney
    4. Alan Henderson
    5. Mike Woodson
    6. Don Schlundt
    7. Jimmy Rayl
    8. Damon Bailey
    9. Kent Benson
    10. Randy Wittman
    11. Steve Alford
    12. Jay Edwards
    13. Scott May
    14. Keith Smart
    15. Bobby Leonard
  • 1. Don Schlundt
    2. Calbert Cheaney
    3. Walt Bellamy
    4. Steve Alford
    5. Scott May
    6. Isiah Thomas
    7. Kent Benson
    8. Mike Woodson
    9. Alan Henderson
    10. Jimmy Rayl
  • brosallman
    1.Alford 2.Bellamy 3.Buckner 4.Cheaney 5. Henderson 6.May 7.McGinnis 8.Isiah 9. VanArsdale twins 10. Woodson
  • tetkalee
    not bein hostile here but pretty sure the VanArsdale twins count as 2 people...hard to put them both in the #9 spot
  • quigonpaj
    33 years old. Attended IU from 93-97. After my freshman year, we were bounced in the first round each year. Seen the hard times. Thought they were done. Oh how wrong I was!

    In no particular order, and only going from players I have have seen, which started when I was 5 years old with my dad.

    Calbert Cheney
    Isiah Thomas
    Steve Alford
    Joel Hillman
    Jay Edwards
    Greg Graham - overshadowed by Calbert his entire career, we forget he was 1st team all big 10
    DJ White - even if he wasn't Big 10 MVP last, year, his career was stellar
    Randy Wittman
    AJ Guyton - most underrated player in our history
    Alan Henderson
    Jared Jeffries
  • aceman07
    I'm gonna say based on career accomplishments and not just talent:

    1. Calbert Chaney
    2. Scott May (had he not got hurt it was back to back undefeated seasons)
    3. Isaiah Thomas (talent plus NCAA Championship)
    4. Walt Bellamy
    5. Alan Henderson (I still think had he not been hurt it was a championship in '92 as well)
    6. Steve Alford (obviously would have set the mark for triples had it been there 4 years)
    7. George McGinnis
    8. MIke Woodson
    9. DJ White (maybe the hardest playing man to ever step on the court at IU)
    10. And my surprise finisher who was just a blast to watch play and stood for IU basketball with a smile on his face at all times - AJ Guyton

    There's a ton of others that could go on the list but these are just my favorites!!!
  • jjwires
    These are in no particular order. I've watched the Hoosiers since the early 70's.
    1. Mike Woodson
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Isaiah Thomas
    4. George McGinnis
    5. Scott May
    6. Calbert Cheaney
    7. Dan Dakiach - You gotta love the scrappy way he played, plus who else could guard Michael Jordan?
    8. Damon Bailey
    9. Alan Henderson
    10. A. J. Guyton
  • CutterInChicago
    Since 1970 and off the top of my head
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Scott May
    3. Isiah Thomas
    4. Steve Alford
    5. Mike Woodson
    6. Quinn Buckner
    7. Kent Benson
    8. Alan Henderson
    9 (Tie) Greg Graham, D.J.White, Keith Smart, A. J. Guyton, Daryl Thomas, Randy Wittman

    Prior to 1970
    1. Schlundt
    2. Rayl
    3. Bellamy
    4(tie). Huffman/Dees
    6(tie) Tom and Dick VanArsdale, Jon McGlocklin, Tom Bolyard
    10. Downing
    Obviously McGinnis, Slick Leonard would be in the mix as would numerous others.
  • thw01
    Ok, work finally got the best of me and I had to stop, but here is my list. Figuring for the most part you need to be in IU's Hall of Fame to make the list with the exception of the last 2 which I really enjoyed watching...

    Scott May
 Basketball 1974-76...averaged 23.5 points on 1976 NCAA championship team...IU Most Valuable Player, All-Big Ten and All-American in 1975 and 1976, Big Ten Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976 and collegiate Player of the Year in 1976...set IU record with 752 points in 1976 season...started on 1976 U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal...played professionally with three different teams.

    Calbert Cheaney Men's Basketball, 1990-1993
    Cheaney is the most prolific scorer in Big Ten Conference and Indiana basketball history (2.613 points). The only four-time team MVP in Hoosier history, Cheaney was a three-time all-league selection as well as the 1993 Big Ten MVP and Wooden Award as national collegiate player of the year. From 1991-93, Indiana spent 51 weeks ranked among the nation's top 10 and 38 in the top five. One of three players in school history to lead the Hoosiers in scoring four straight years (Steve Alford and Don Schlundt are the others), Cheaney scored at least 30 points in 13 different games during his Hoosier career. Cheaney is also one of only three players in school history to earn All-American honors three times in his career.

    Steve Alford
 Won basketball letters in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987...1984 Olympic Gold Medalist...co-captain in 1986 and 1987...IU's Most Valuable Player four years, the only four-time MVP in history...three-time first team All-Big Ten and Big Ten MVP in 1987...first team All-American in 1986 and 1987...second leading scorer in IU history with 2,438 points, career leader in free throw percentage, season record-holder in 3-point field goals made...helped lead the Hoosiers to 1987 NCAA Championship with seven 3-pointers.

    Quinn Buckner 
Basketball 1973-76 and captain 1974 and 1976...football 1973-74...played on four Big Ten championship teams and helped lead 1976 team to NCAA title...IU's co-MVP in 1975, All-Big Ten in 1974 and 1975, All-American in 1975 and 1976...starter and captain of 1976 Olympic team which won gold medal...only person ever to play on championship teams in high school, college and professional levels and win gold medal in Olympics...led football team in interceptions two years.

    Kent Benson
 Won basketball letters in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977 and was captain in '77...three-time All-Big Ten pick and league MVP in 1977...two-time All American selection...academic All-Big Ten and All-American for two years...named outstanding player in 1976 NCAA Final Four, when Hoosiers won their third national championship ...had career totals of 1,740 points and 1,031 rebounds...played in the NBA for 11 years.

    Randy Wittman 
Won basketball letters in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983...co-captain in 1983...played on three Big Ten championship teams and started on the 1981 NCAA Championship Team...played on Indiana's 1979 NIT Championship Team...Indiana and Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1983...first team All-Big Ten in 1981, 1982 and 1983...Academic All-American in 1982 and 1983...ranked eighth on career scoring list, second on career assist list and third on career steals list at graduation.

    Isiah Thomas
 Won basketball letters in 1980 and 1981, leading Hoosiers to two Big Ten championships and 1981 NCAA title... first team All-Big Ten in 1980 and 1981, and All-American in 1981...set season assist record in 1981.

    Alan Henderson- Sixth on the Hoosiers' career scoring list with 1,979 points, helped the Hoosiers advance to the 1992 NCAA Final Four and the 1993 NCAA Elite Eight . A 1995 All-American, is third in career double-double performances (49), and is IU's all-time leading rebounder (1,091). Is also second on Indiana's career blocked shots list (213) and fourth all-time in steals (148)

    Jay Edwards

    DJ White

    Honerable Mention / Favs – Walt Bellamy, Damon Bailey, Jim Rayl, Don Schlundt, Dick & Tom VanArsdale, George McGinnis , Dean Garrett, Greg Graham, Eric Anderson, Matt Nover, Brian Evans, AJ Guyton, , Tom Coverdale, Andrae Patterson, Dane Fife
  • Dave66
    I probably attended my first IU basketball game with my dad, a faculty member at Bloomington, in about 1948. That would have been in "the old fieldhouse" or "Wildermuth." ROTC cadets distributed free "programs" (two-sided sheets of paper with rosters and scorecard) when you entered. I saw lots of games in the "new fieldhouse" as those were my high school and college years. The best basketball game I have seen in person was the double-overtime IU-Michigan game in 1964 (I think).

    The best players, in my opinion, are bookended by Bill Garrett and Calbert Cheaney. Of course, Garrett couldn't play against today's players, so lists like this must always be considered in context.

    Between Garrett and Cheaney, in no special order, would be:
    Don Schlundt
    Archie Dees
    Walt Bellamy
    Jimmy Rayl
    Quinn Buckner
    Scott May
    Steve Alford
    Steve Downing

    I'd like to include George McGinnis, because I saw him play both in high school and college, and he and Oscar Robertson are arguably the two best high school basketball players ever. But you have to stay all four years to make my list.
  • you forgot Isiah on that list.

    there's absolutely no question that he is in the top three, if not the best, player in IU basketball history.
  • and i'm an idiot cause i just saw your four-year rule...which i really like.

    how close would Brian Evans come to making your list? he stayed four years and was Big Ten Player of the Year his senior year and a first round draft pick. would he bump out Garrett?
  • jneiswan
    Calbert Cheaney
    Steve Alford
    Isaiah Thomas
    Don Schlundt
    Walt Bellamy
    George McGinnis
    Scott May
    Kent Benson
    Alan Henderson
    Mike Woodson
  • Some of the things i look at when making a list such as this.

    talent.
    overall statistics.
    team championships (Big 10, NCAA, NIT).
    memorable moments.
    individual achievements.

    and whatever else you can think of.
  • xxBHxx
    Im a bit of a young buck (graduated IU in 07) but a lifelong fan that has watched almost every game since i was concieved..

    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Isiah Thomas
    3. Scott May
    4. Steve Alford
    5. Jay Edwards
    6. Damon Bailey
    7. DJ White
    8. Eric Gordon
    9. Brian Evans
    10. Alan Henderson

    honorable mention : AJ Guyton
  • louisianahoosier
    Jimmy Rayl
    Quinn Buckner
    Scott May
    Isiah Thomas
    D. J. White
    Calbert Cheaney
    George McGinnis
    Damon Bailey
    Mike Woodson
    Kent Benson
  • My dream team, and the bench. 13 players on scholarship and 3 walk-ons. I beefed up the frontcourt since that has plagued us for like the last 10 or so years.

    C. Walt Bellamy
    PF. George McGinnis
    SF. Calbert Cheaney
    SG. Steve Alford
    PG. Isiah Thomas

    SF. Scott May
    PG. Quinn Buckner
    PF. Alan Henderson
    SG. Jimmy Rayl
    PF. D.J. White
    SG. Eric Gordon
    C. Don Schlundt
    C. Kent Benson
    G-F. Mike Woodson (Walk-on)
    PG. Tom Coverdale (Walk-on)
    G-F. A.J. Moye (Walk-on)
  • cschneiderlv
    McGinnis
    Bellamy
    May
    Benson
    Schlundt
    Thomas
    Bailey
    Woodson
    Cheany
    Alford
  • hoosierphil45
    1. Calbert Chaney
    2. Damon Bailey
    3. Brian Evans
    4. A.J. Guyton
    5. Kent Benson
    6. Alan Henderson
    7. Isiah Thomas
    8. Scott May
    9. Walt Bellamy
    10. Steve Alford
  • TXHoosier
    This is coming from a guy who was just old enough to figure out what was going on in the late '80s, and since all the comments only account for a quarter of the final results, you'll hopefully excuse me for leaving out some of the pre-ESPN greats:

    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Isiah Thomas
    4. Alan Henderson
    5. Scott May
    6. Damon Bailey
    7. Jared Jeffries
    8. Quinn Buckner
    9. DJ White
    10. AJ Guyton
  • widget
    Neil Reed
    Jay Edwards
    Andre Harris

    (oh....wait...wrong list)

    1. Calbert Cheany
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Isiah
    4. May
    5. Benson
    6. Bellamy
    7. DJ
    8. Henderson
    9.Guyton
    10.Smart (hey...big shot)
  • student
    I'm young, but I'm Bloomington born and raised, been around IU games my whole life. I was born in February, so one of my first activities on Earth was wathcing Hoosier basketball. So they wouldn't scare me when they cheered, my parents would whisper player's names when they did something good.... "Lindon Jonessss".... So, this list includes players that I've seen on ESPN Classic and I might be missing some older greats. But anyway...

    1. Kent Benson
    2. Scott May
    3. Isiah Thomas
    4. Calbert Cheaney
    5. Alan Henderson
    6. Steve Alford
    7. Calbert Cheaney
    8. AJ Guyton
    9. DJ White
    10. Andrae Patterson
  • NC Fat Boy
    Wow, you really like Calbert, huh? :-)
  • gregmquinn
    I have only been a hardcore Hoosier fan for 20 years, so I'm going to leave out players before that time, but a few comments on other voters' lists:

    I am shocked by all of the love Andrae Patterson is getting. He is unquestionably one of the most disappointing players of the last 20 years.

    I am also disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm for Brian Evans. We have never seen a player do so much with so little.

    Here's my list, in order of greatness:

    1. Calbert Cheaney (No explanation needed here.)
    2. Steve Alford (Ditto, but did you see Jay Bilas left him off his list of 25 greatest 3 point shooters?!?! Outrageous!)
    3. Alan Henderson (Consumate post player who absolutely carried teams.)
    4. D.J. White (We've never had a classier kid play in our uniform.)
    5. Brian Evans (Way better than he should have been.)
    6. Jay Edwards (As talented as anyone we've seen)
    7. Damon Bailey (The posterchild for Indiana basketball.)
    8. A.J. Guyton (It's nice to see him make so many list here. Played during a tough time for IU hoops.)
    9. Kirk Haston (First round draft pick? This kid played his heart out every night.)
    10. Greg Graham (You know you've got a great team when this guy is a role player.)

    Honorable mention: Smart, Coverdale, Hillman, Bracey, EJ.

    Great job on this post ITH! Keep these topics coming.
  • outanames
    You asked for the 10 best players which I take it means those who had careers beyond their time at IU, therefore here's mine:

    1. George McGinnis
    1. Isiah Thomas
    2. Walt Bellamy
    3. Dick VanArsdale
    4. Tom VanArsdale
    5. Kent Benson
    6.Jon McGlocklin
    7.Scott May
    8.Calbert Cheaney
    9.Archie Dees
  • outanames
    I'm aware I left out several who were big stars at IU, however I think these were ultimately the best ten players from IU. It may be just a play on words that make this selection difficult.
  • Mathman
    I graduated from IU in '90.I became a fan in the early 70's watching games with my dad. The first game I remember was beating Kentucky in "74, so I limitted my list to the guys I have seem play.
    My list in no particular order

    Calbert Cheaney
    Steve Alford
    Isiah Thomas
    Kent Benson
    Scott May
    Randy Wittman
    Alan Henderson
    Mike Woodson
    Quinn Buckner
    Damon Bailey

    Of those I haven't seen, I'd have to consider Walt Bellamy, Don Schundt, Jimmy Rayl, Steve Downing, And the Van Arsdales.
  • Todd Jadlow, Brian Sloan, Magnus Peplowski, Mike Roberts, Ross (linebacker from football team), Scary Larry, Kregh Smith, Delray Brooks, Todd Lindeman, and the best in the history of IU Phil Isenbarger.
  • TXHoosier
    Was wondering when Jadlow would to come up...about all I remember was my dad screaming at him through the TV 3 or 4 times a game. I'd also nominate the dominant twin elephants Robbie Eggers and Richard Mandeville.
  • junkman
    No love for Haris Mujazenovic ??
  • TXHoosier
    Only if he wears the mask.
  • b_side
    1) Calbert Cheaney
    2) Zeke
    3) Alford
    4) Kent Benson
    5) Alan Henderson
    6) Bellamy
    7) Jay Edwards
    8) George McGinnis
    9) Scott May
    10) Mike Woodson
  • NC Fat Boy
    1. Calbert Cheaney
    2. Walt Bellamy
    3. Isaiah Thomas
    4. Kent Benson
    5. Jimmy Rayl
    6. Scott May
    7. Steve Alford
    8. Quinn Buckner
    9. Tom Van Arsdale
    10. Dick Van Arsdale
  • junkman
    I'm too young to remember Don Schlundt or Jimmy Rayl...So I will stick with the players I can remember watching...

    1. Calbert Chaney
    2. Steve Alford
    3. Allan Henderson
    4. Damon Bailey
    5. Kirk Haston
    6. DJ White
    7. Brian Evans
    8. Eric Gordon
    9. Greg Graham
    10. Jay Edwards

    I know Isaiah Thomas / Mike Woodson / Walt Bellamy / etc... are in the top 10 of players in IU history, but I never remember watching them play...and I'm 30 years old...so its not like I'm too far off the general demographic of this blog...
  • Outoftheloop
    1. Don Schlundt-NCAA Champs best player
    2. Scott May-NCAA Champs best player
    3. Isiah Thomas-NCAA Champs best player
    4. Steve Alford-NCAA Champs best player
    5 Jimmy Rayl-A true "Hoosiers" guy
    6. Walt Bellamy-One of top 20 NBA All-Time
    7. Calbert Cheaney-"Mr" Scorer and NCAA Final Four
    8. George McGinnis+Steve Downing-for 6 years in HS and college can't have one without the other
    9. Mike Woodson-"Mr" Consistent
    10. Jared Jefferies-NCAA 2nd Place best player
    11. Bobby Wilkerson-No better talent, a "Dr. J" game
    I was born and raised in Bloomington and actually saw them all play. Let's invite Coach Knight to town and Honor him. Let's support Coach Crean's guys 100%. Let's have some Fun again in the Hall!
  • IUBBALL81
    I like your list and also agree in bringing back Coach Knight.
    All Hoosiers including the current administration in B-TOWN should
    bury the hatchet with Coach Knight.
    Coach Knight should be brought back when the new practice facility is completed and have the building named after him.
    Coach Knight always did say that he would rather practice then play a regular
    scheduled game!
  • Outoftheloop
    Thanks and Yes!

    --
    Rick Darby
    email: 009rdarby@comcast.net

    -------------- Original message --------------
  • IUBBALL81
    IU's new AD Harry Gonso should make this decision.
  • DJW
    Loop:


    Did you actually get the chance to see Don Schlundt play?

    If so...that's outstanding
  • Outoftheloop
    Yes, I was 5 1/2, or so. I got my hair cut at a barber's shop called "Woodys" on 3rd Street near Jordan Ave. and met Charley Krack (sp?) a foreward on the team. My dad wouldn't waste a ticket on me because I was too young to "appreciate" it. I told Charley. Next thing I knew Dad was taking me to the games where I sat with "Mid Burger" who owned a small hamburger-milk shake place next to the Princess Theater on N. Walnut. Mid and her husband gave free food to lots of athletes in Bloomington for many years, including Charley Krack. Someone in the athletic department made sure that Mid had some extra seats around her for "guests". Later on I remember getting a coupon for a free milk shake for each "over-the-fence" home run in little league from Mid, I received my first at 10.
  • DJW
    I just finished the book "Mac's Boys". It the book about Branch McCracken
    and the Legendary 1953 Hurryin Hoosiers.

    I brought it online for almost pennies and it came like a new book.

    The book was outsatnding and tells great stories about Branch, Slick Leonard
    Schlundt and others on that team. Lots of mentioning of the old Bloomington
    and the campus that you would dearly remember.

    I have two boys presently at IU...senior and junior.

    I too have followed IU since I was a young boy (born 4/27/47) but Walt
    Bellamy is about as far back as I can remember even though Schlundt was from South
    Bend where I was born and raised, I was on campus for the U Conn game this
    last year and went to the game...first ever.

    Hoosier Basketball is part of my soul and I am so excited with the new coach
    coming in.

    I truly regret Bob Knight's demise as he was all part of IU great tradition.

    I have an appointment in 15 min otherwise I could chat with you forever
    about IU basketball.

    Thanks for the reply.


    In a message dated 8/2/2008 12:14:12 P.M. US Eastern Standard Time,
    writes:
  • Outoftheloop
    Thanks for the note. Let's talk sometime. Rick

    --
    Rick Darby
    email: 009rdarby@comcast.net

    -------------- Original message --------------
  • DJW
    Please login to rate.





    Top 10 ...but can't conclude on a 1 to 10 order:

    George McGinnis
    Don Schlundt
    T&D Vanarsdale
    Scott May
    Isiah Thomas
    Quin Buckner
    Steve Alford
    Calbert Chaney
    Walt Bellamy
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