Who were the best shooters in ISU bball history? Please help>>>

**JunoSosa** · 12-12-2009, 02:10 PM

Hi all:

In the past, I have asked the good people of this board who the best dunkers were in ISU history. Now, I am researching another phase of ISU basketball history-- the shooters.

In your experience, who were the best shooters in Cyclone history? Who could make the shot from very deep? Who had the most pretty parabolic arc that from the moment it left the hands, spiraled in an high arc, touching the rafters of Hilton, before dropping through the net? Any memorable shooting styles?

Some names that pop out from research:

Dedric Willoughby-- his name is near the top of every ISU shooting record.

Jake Sullivan-- ditto.

Fred Hoiberg-- third highest 3-point career percentage (behind Sullivan and Born).

The combo of Michael Nurse and Kantrail Horton.

Hurl Beechum?

Barry Stevens?

Lucca Staiger?

What about the ladies?

I have the career and individual stats right here in front of me, but numbers don't quantify who had the mojo. I'm not looking for someone who occasionally got lucky.

The most important question is this: who was the most likely Cyclone basketball player that could've beaten Larry Bird and Michael Jordan in their epic shooting contest?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oACRt-Qp-s"]Larry Bird vs. Michael Jordan[/ame]

**Bobber** · 12-12-2009, 02:16 PM

Jeff Hornacek, Fred Hoiberg, Hurl Beechum, Dedric Willoughby, Barry Stevens were some of the best I ever saw. They could all shoot it under pressure.

I'm sure some more mature CF's could add some names from futher back.

**heitclone** · 12-12-2009, 02:25 PM

Mike Born (sp?) could light it up as well in the late 80's.

**HititHard** · 12-12-2009, 02:31 PM

Gary Thompson
If they had a three point line when he played there wouldn't be anyone close. Outscoring Wilt Chamberlain has to put him on top of the list.

**cy2win** · 12-12-2009, 02:35 PM

Men: Barry Stevens

Women: Megan Taylor

**HititHard** · 12-12-2009, 02:37 PM

There isn't any player that you want to have the ball in his hands when the game was on the line and time was running out like Hornacek.
The shot he hit with time running out in the NCAA tourney in Minneapolis against Michigan to win the game is epic.

**06Panther** · 12-12-2009, 02:38 PM

Jon Neal in that one game.

**Stormin** · 12-12-2009, 02:42 PM

Hercle (Poison) Ivy could shoot from anywhere......and did. But he was absolutely the only threat on the court.

The Ken Trickey Era is easy to forget about.

**LeSchmick** · 12-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by 06Panther

Jon Neal in that one game.

Good ol Jon Neal.

**Frak** · 12-12-2009, 02:46 PM

I'd say the top three are pretty much set in Sullivan, Hoiberg and Willoughby. Not sure how I'd rate them. After that, probably Hornacek and Nurse.

**San Francisco Cy** · 12-12-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by HititHard

There isn't any player that you want to have the ball in his hands when the game was on the line and time was running out like Hornacek.
The shot he hit with time running out in the NCAA tourney in Minneapolis against Michigan to win the game is epic.

It's unfortunate that Jeff didn't have a 3-point line when he played college ball, or he would have been much more dangerous...

I have to throw in Justus Thigpen and Ron Bayless. Thigpen is one of my all time favorites, and had a penchant for hitting big shots in clutch situations. He single-handedly brought us back vs OSU in 92. And hit a game winning 3-point runner in Colorado for a rare road win in 92 or 93.

I would say the top five shooters I've seen are, in no particular order:

Jake Sullivan
Jeff Hornacek
Dedric Willoughby
Justus Thigpen
Fred Hoiberg

**Go2Guy** · 12-12-2009, 03:02 PM

You guys need to read what Stormin said above; this discussion doesn't have to go too far.

1. Hercle Ivy
2. Hecle Ivy - he was that good he needs to be mentioned twice
3. Dedrick W.
4. Jeff Horn.

**2forISU** · 12-12-2009, 03:05 PM

Jeff Hornacek and D. Willoughby hands down.

Most cluth Willoughby...he was as tough as nails.

**singsing** · 12-12-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

It's unfortunate that Jeff didn't have a 3-point line when he played college ball, or he would have been much more dangerous...

I have to throw in Justus Thigpen and Ron Bayless. Thigpen is one of my all time favorites, and had a penchant for hitting big shots in clutch situations. He single-handedly brought us back vs OSU in 92. And hit a game winning 3-point runner in Colorado for a rare road win in 92 or 93.

I would say the top five shooters I've seen are, in no particular order:

Jake Sullivan
Jeff Hornacek
Dedric Willoughby
Justus Thigpen
Fred Hoiberg

I was at the game in 92 when Thigpen went off. Unbelievable performance because OSU did everything they could to stop him and couldn't. I'd have to say with a second left on the clock and ISU down 2 I'd want Horton taking the shot. Besides, he got us Gilstrap and how many ex players do we have that contribute to the program still? As cool off the court as he was on it.