Dedric Willoughby Passes Away at 49

[CySmurf]

Just kind of numb reading this. RIP Dedric.

 

[CySmurf]

He and Pete Taylor are linked forever to me...I can still hear Pete saying over and over again. "Willoughby for three....GOOOOOD! Dedric Willoughby!"

"Over to Dedric, 3 on the way....gooood again!"

It just rolled off his tongue, like Pete was created to yell the words Dedric Willoughby.

Pete yelling "Dedric Willoughby's on FIRE!" during an NCAA tourney game. Still resonates with me.

 

[brett108]

That really sucks.

Easily one of the best shooters in school history. For you young people, he was on Tyrus McGee levels. And he was just so smooth on the basketball court. A true joy to watch.

No offense but Tyrus was not in Dedric’s league.

 

[CloneLawman]

No offense but Tyrus was not in Dedric’s league.

Tyrus shot for a better percentage from 3, but Dedric could play defense (especially before the injuries), and could break people down and drive to score or at least get to the line (also before injuries). Dedric was poetry in motion when healthy. And he was CLUTCH.

I really enjoyed Tyrus, but I would trade hime for Dedric any day of the week.

 

[jsb]

No offense but Tyrus was not in Dedric’s league.

Oh, I don’t think so either. But was just trying to compare him to someone that the young people might remember.

 

[cyatheart]

In pure shooting percentage perhaps, but Dedric could play defense (especially before the injuries), and could break people down and drive to score or at least get to the line (also before injuries). Dedric was poetry in motion when healthy. And he was CLUTCH.

I really enjoyed Tyrus, but I would trade hime for Dedric any day of the week.

You won't find a bigger Tyrus McGee fan than me, I loved him because he reminded me of Dedric. But he was never in the same league as Dedric.

You have to understand, Dedric was the best shooting guard in the country for two years and it wasn't really close, lot of people never saw him till that Big 8 tournament, not all the games were easily watchable. And we played really slow, if he played for Freddie or Johnny Orr he would have led the country in scoring. Or, If he had played at Kansas he would have been a first team all American instead of honorable mention.

 

[Kinch]

Let this sink in: that game against Kansas in the Big 8 finals, Dedric went toe to toe against a future NBA Finals MVP and came out on top and himself was named MVP. That Kansas team had to be one of their best ever, and Dedric hit the game winning points and DEFLATED them.

 

[cyatheart]

I do understand.

Sorry, wasn't speaking to you specifically, poorly worded.

 

[TheCaptain]

A great player and Cyclone, but an even better person. He will certainly be missed by many.

 

[madguy30]

I honestly don't remember the finesse, more the toughness. I'd pair him up with Tinsley et al in that category.

I think he played every second of every game in the '96 Big 8 tourney or at least one of the games.

 

[cayin]

I think I would put Dedric in my all time Cyclone starting 5. would have to think about the others

 

[Jayshellberg]

My heart is broken. I starting following ISU basketball when Johnny Orr came to town, and Dedric was the best shooter that I ever saw, bar none. I am confident that he holds the ISU record for four-point plays. He got his shot off so fast that opponents often fouled him on his release. It wouldn’t shock me if he had twenty four-point plays during his best season.

I was fortunate to be at Kemper Arena when Dedric led ISU to their first Big 8 championship versus KU. That’s where Hilton South first became a thing. I will be forever grateful what he did for ISU basketball. RIP Dedric.

 

[CloneFanInKC]

No offense but Tyrus was not in Dedric’s league.

Tyrus being mentioned in a sentence comparing him to DW is laughable; SMDH and GTFO.

 

[keepngoal]

DAMN.

He took one hell of charge* to win the the game against UCLA. ….. one hell of a charge. Team above self.


*charge wasn’t called, we lost the game based on officiating.

 

[cydsho]

That team is still one of my favorites. Such a gut punch to lose DW so young.

 

[cyclonestunners]

He was one of the first isu bball.players o remember. I also remember being devastated by his hamstring issues as a kid.

 

[theshadow]

I honestly don't remember the finesse, more the toughness. I'd pair him up with Tinsley et al in that category.

I think he played every second of every game in the '96 Big 8 tourney or at least one of the games.

Willoughby played all 120 minutes in that tournament.

Holloway played all but 40 seconds.

 

[Cloned4Life]

The 1 minute video tribute on Twitter …Pete calling Dedric’s plays… tears man. Crushing, heartbreaking. This sucks. RIP Dedric, my all-time favorite Cyclone. An absolute legend of a player.

 

[Cloned4Life]

He and Pete Taylor are linked forever to me...I can still hear Pete saying over and over again. "Willoughby for three....GOOOOOD! Dedric Willoughby!"

"Over to Dedric, 3 on the way....gooood again!"

It just rolled off his tongue, like Pete was created to yell the words Dedric Willoughby.

Man, so well said.

 

[cyclonestunners]

I think we would have been similar to what OK State was under Eddie Sutton. If TF would have stayed 20 years he would have won 500 games at ISU and went to a couple Final Fours. He was always looking for a better job though.

One of the reasons I'm so excited about tj... he's not llookng for other jobs.