21 Months removed - Should #3 still be retired?

[CycloneErik]

I had the exact same thing go through my head. While his time was ending, I was all for it, now that he's gone........ I don't know. It's hard because a lot of great players have now followed him, and it's hard to say Ejim is in without saying Niang and Monte deserve it too, but then you have to come to the realization you can't live in the now with having 3 people having their jerseys retired within the same timeframe.

Maybe this is just a part of the growing pains of building a solid program? You are going to have good talent help you on your way up, but can't idolize all of them forever. You have to look for those truly special players.

Hell part of me still wonders what Brackins could have done with a few years of real coachings, he may have been one of those.

When the 3 are that good, you can put all of them up there. It cheapens nothing.

 

[ISUTex]

When the 3 are that good, you can put all of them up there. It cheapens nothing.

Agree. Niang and Morris will be up there too. Two of the greatest Cyclones ever.


Even though Ejim has absolutely nothing to do with Fizer and Tinsley, I would hang Fizer's. Tinsley? Ehhh, I've heard some things. Best PG at ever at ISU though.

 

[Farnsworth]

I'm all aboard the hype train like most, but let's see what niang and Morris can do at the end of this year. B2B b12 titles is nice, last year's early exit was not.

 

[ISUTex]

I had the exact same thing go through my head. While his time was ending, I was all for it, now that he's gone........ I don't know. It's hard because a lot of great players have now followed him, and it's hard to say Ejim is in without saying Niang and Monte deserve it too, but then you have to come to the realization you can't live in the now with having 3 people having their jerseys retired within the same timeframe.

Maybe this is just a part of the growing pains of building a solid program? You are going to have good talent help you on your way up, but can't idolize all of them forever. You have to look for those truly special players.

Hell part of me still wonders what Brackins could have done with a few years of real coachings, he may have been one of those.

When has ISU ever had a stretch of success like they've had with Ejim, Niang and Morris? (2000-01? Sure, ok, one other time then?) These three truly are special, and it baffles me how people can't see this.

 

[Farnsworth]

Although I do think Niang deserves it solely on his trolling skills

 

[Farnsworth]

When has ISU ever had a stretch of success like they've had with Ejim, Niang and Morris? (2000-01? Sure, ok, one other time then?) These three truly are special, and it baffles me how people can't see this.

I understand, that's what I'm saying. Yes they are all iowa state heroes for lifting us up to this point, but when you look at how I frequently people get retired it's hard to make a case. KU can't retire 2 jerseys a year even though they have the talent to, neither should we if we have a truly up and coming elite program

 

[demoncore1031]

Definitely yes. Ejim was in the top 10 all time in quite a few categories and he was key in the success of the program winning so many games. Big 12 POY, All-American, the numbers in the TCU game and just an overall great guy and great student.

 

[CycloneErik]

I understand, that's what I'm saying. Yes they are all iowa state heroes for lifting us up to this point, but when you look at how I frequently people get retired it's hard to make a case. KU can't retire 2 jerseys a year even though they have the talent to, neither should we if we have a truly up and coming elite program

When we've had as many as KU, we can expand the criteria like they did.
For us, an All-American is a very rare thing right now. On our scale, that make Ejim easily one of the best ever.

 

[demoncore1031]

I know this isn't bball related, but it Troy Davis' number retired? I haven't noticed anyone wearing 28 lately.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

I love Ejim, but right now I'm teetering more toward no than yes.

I do think Fizer should. I also THINK Niang will end his career with that case as well.

Tinsley? No.

 

[Lafaester54]

1000 times yes.
Ejim met every criteria people made up, no matter how many times they moved those goalposts.

Yes, Yes, and Yes.

Another yes, yes, yes. Fantastic player and a great student. And great team success when he was here. Was told by my vet here in Colorado (ISU grad) that maybe he wasn't so great because he has not succeeded in the NBA. MO, he was a great player and wish we had a player like that every year.

 

[19clone91]

I know this isn't bball related, but it Troy Davis' number retired? I haven't noticed anyone wearing 28 lately.

I have wondered that myself

 

[jkclone]

I understand, that's what I'm saying. Yes they are all iowa state heroes for lifting us up to this point, but when you look at how I frequently people get retired it's hard to make a case. KU can't retire 2 jerseys a year even though they have the talent to, neither should we if we have a truly up and coming elite program

You have to look at it this way. What was his impact. If he didn't play for us we would not be where we are today. If he came in and gave us those numbers after 5-10 years of being a top 25 team it is probably a lot more questionable but this is an easy question. Melvin Ejim had a made a huge impact on our program.

 

[Muzzy]

We are waiting for him to come back and be an assistant so we don't have to pay for airfare.

 

[BodeClone]

I love Ejim, but right now I'm teetering more toward no than yes.

I do think Fizer should. I also THINK Niang will end his career with that case as well.

Tinsley? No.

Agreed. Niang is a wait and see.

 

[cmjh10]

Is a frogs *** water tight?
Is the pope Catholic?
Does a polar bear **** on the ice?
Does a brown bear **** in the woods?

 

[Bret44]

LOOK AT THIS! COME ON!

 

[cyclonenation5]

I'm pretty neutral on Ejim but Niang is an absolute lock. No argument against it.

 

[IAStubborn]

Now that I have gotten used to Hallice wearing #3, I started thinking.

Curious to see what you all think, now being 21 months removed.

My initial reaction after his last season was absolutely yes it should be retired. Now I am not so sure. I think it should take ALOT to be in the rafters. Niang is a more reasonable modern option I think.

Poll coming

If he had played UNC it would be hanging up their with Jordan's per their stated criteria. Should ISU really have criteria more stringent then UNC?

 

[IAStubborn]

I voted no/no because I interpreted it as actually retiring the #3 (as indicated in the poll question), not 'the jersey'. Absolutely his jersey should be, but not the number.

ISU doesn't retire numbers, ever.