CSNbbs

As another crappy season of NIU men's basketball ticks down, I got thinking about some of the best players to come and play at NIU.
Kenny Battle, TJ Lux, Jim Bradley are some of the greats that come to mind. But I'm going to go with Allen Rayhorn as number 1. I'm not saying he had the most natural talent or the most athletic, but over his 4 year career he left quite the mark and his records are still holding since he finished in 82.

1. 4th in career points.
2. tied for 9th in games played, keep in mind they played less games back then.
3. 7th in field goals made.
4. 2nd in career field goal %.
5. 1st in free throws made.
6. 1st in free throws attempted.
7. 10th in career free throw % .778
8. 2 in career rebounds.
9. 10th in career rebounds per game.
10. 1st in consecutive games started with 103.
11. 2nd in career double-doubles.

I tend to remember better the guys that were there during my time period.
I know we have had players that have had better one or 2 year careers, but over a 4 year period Rayhorn's numbers are hard to beat.
I'm sure people will disagree with me and that's ok. Some thoughts.

Hard to argue with those numbers and in this day and age with the transfer portal, he might be the last player with those kind of numbers who actually plays for 4 years at NIU.

I loved Allen Rayhorn……he just played so hard, but, TJ Lux was a much better player.

From a sheer talent perspective, I would think Jim Bradley, Billy Harris, and Kenny Battle would have to be at/near the top of the list.

(03-04-2024 12:03 PM)HuskieDave Wrote: [ -> ]I loved Allen Rayhorn……he just played so hard, but, TJ Lux was a much better player.

I figured TJ would be right up there.

I laugh.....

I saw the thread title and I thought, "I'll open just to see. I would say Allen Rayhorn, but I am not in a mood to fight... so I don't think I will." Then I read your post!

HAHAHHAHHAHAHAHA

(03-04-2024 12:43 PM)chihuskie Wrote: [ -> ]I laugh.....

I saw the thread title and I thought, "I'll open just to see. I would say Allen Rayhorn, but I am not in a mood to fight... so I don't think I will." Then I read your post!

HAHAHHAHHAHAHAHA

I'm not sure I understand your post.

He agrees with you

(03-04-2024 01:18 PM)NIUSAE Wrote: [ -> ]He agrees with you

Thanks for clarifying that for me.

I agree with both of you. May have been more stylish players but Rayhorn was a throwback. Tough as nails and deceptively strong. Money on the free throw line. Classic hard way player.

Best I've seen are Battle and Lux, but I don't go back far enough to Bradley and Rayhorn to compare them.

Tim Toler

Tim Dillon was pretty good ball player. Kenny battle was the most exciting I have seen.

James Bradley - 6'10 a true blue chipper out of Gary. Late 60s or early 70s.

Paul Dawkins

I will throw Thomas and/or Whiteside into the mix. Those were great teams.

Of players I've seen play in person (not necessarily the best of all time), some of my favorites are Todd Peterson, Eugene German, and Xavier Silas.

(03-04-2024 12:03 PM)HuskieDave Wrote: [ -> ]I loved Allen Rayhorn……he just played so hard, but, TJ Lux was a much better player.

From a sheer talent perspective, I would think Jim Bradley, Billy Harris, and Kenny Battle would have to be at/near the top of the list.

Agree with this. For just sheer talent Jim Bradley and to me the 1971-72 team. I understand not everyone got to see that individual and that team though.

Nate Rucker

Best players I remember from when I was a freshman in 1975:

Matt Hicks
Paul Dawkins
Allen Rayhorn
Leonard Hayes
Tim Dillon
Kenny Battle
Rodney Davis
Brad Waller
Donnell Thomas
Donald Whiteside
TJ Lux
Mike Hartke
Ronald Minter
Marcus Smallwood
Xavier Silas
Eugene German

Just the ones I remember that stood out in their era.

(03-06-2024 12:57 AM)niu79 Wrote: [ -> ]Best players I remember from when I was a freshman in 1975:

Matt Hicks
Paul Dawkins
Allen Rayhorn
Leonard Hayes
Tim Dillon
Kenny Battle
Rodney Davis
Brad Waller
Donnell Thomas
Donald Whiteside
TJ Lux
Mike Hartke
Ronald Minter
Marcus Smallwood
Xavier Silas
Eugene German

Just the ones I remember that stood out in their era.

I was kidding about my nominations. But that's. A good list. Glad to see Xavier owned earned some praise. He was the lone bright spot in a dark era.