Dedric Willoughby Passes Away at 49
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Took my stepson to his first Iowa State men's basketball game. We stuck around after the game to meet some of the players. DW came out along with Kenny Pratt. I could tell Pratt wanted to leave, but DW called him over and made him take a picture with my stepson. Always appreciated that. He didn't know us from Adam.
96 was the last Big 8 tournament. That ISU team is still the reigning Big 8 men's tourney champ.
Floyd was pretty old school in those days. Holloway could actually be a pretty good shooter but he averaged a tiny PPG because he was expected to distribute and not shoot.
he really was, if I had to pick one guy that personified what I love about Iowa State and Cyclone Basketball, it would be him. Was the perfect basketball player for us in my mind.
Feels just like yesterday that I was watching the Sunday game on KCRG with DW leading the way.
IIRC he was active n the Ames community as well. Just seemed like an all around 'chin up, keep moving forward' kind of person.
IIRC he was active n the Ames community as well. Just seemed like an all around 'chin up, keep moving forward' kind of person.
This is so heartbreaking. Wish we could go back to nothing newsworthy to talk about because it’s always bad
I cried myself to sleep that night (I was 11 FWIW). I still reflexively recoil if I hear the name “Cameron Dollar”.
The 95-96 team was when I fell in love with ISU hoops. This hits hard.
I never went to bed. Think they had UCLA down 20 at the half. They did all they could but just couldn't get it over the goal line. Game didn't start till like 10 cst central. Cato missed the block on Dollars shot by maybe half an inch. Dedric was nuts, hit shots from everywhere. Imagine a guy hitting 9 threes in a sweet sixteen game now, it's unheard of.
I always believed, if they got past UCLA they could have beaten Minnesota to go to the final four, would have been a really tough matchup for Minnesota and dedric was playing so well, I just couldn't see them losing an elite eight game.
The "smoothest" ISU player I've ever watched. Just made everything look easy, was never rattled, definition of clutch. Sad day.
I was in high school when he was at ISU. One of my favorites and imo the best shooter in school history.
The UCLA lost destroyed me not that the season was over but more that I'd never see him in a ISU uniform again.
The UCLA lost destroyed me not that the season was over but more that I'd never see him in a ISU uniform again.
I'm not sure there is a loss that made me as sad as that one. I've been more angry. But that one broke my heart.
The refs were instrumental in helping UCLA steal that game. The Cameron Dollar push off on Holloway. People seem to forget the back breaking 5 second call on Klay Edwards inbounding play (it was only 3 seconds). That was total BS on the refs.
One of my all time favorites, RIP. I still have the CR Gazette after the win vs KU in the B8 final. There was a little controversy on the Jacque Vaughn foul on Dedric. Basically ol Roy didn't like the call. One of the best answers to an interview question from the paper. Willoughby was asked how he would have defended the play had he been in Vaughn's position. "I wouldn't have been in his position," was his response. Love it. He was one of the best.
He was a great kid and player. So glad he is a Cyclone.
I think the only time he wasn't moving was on a free throw. RIP Dedrick
I think the only time he wasn't moving was on a free throw. RIP Dedrick
I cried, but I couldn’t get to sleep that night. I think the 10 pm start hurt them. It was 8 pm UCLA time, circadian rhythm in all you know. If Cato would came up a split second later, that shot is blocked or severely altered.
OMG, so sad about Dedric. One of my favorite Cyclone players ever!!! One of my best memories as a Cyclone fan was being in Kemper for that Big final. Dedric, so calm and cool, sank those free throws as easy as breathing. Thanks for the memories Dedric. Rest in peace
