Benny the best of all time?

[UNIpanther99]

Halfway through his senior season, is Ben Jacobson on his way to becoming the best Panther basketball player of all time? I say yes... what does everyone else think?

[ejacobson]

Im not even going to comment because of my extreme conflict of interest here, but I think you all know my answer. But I really want to know what others truely think.

[speechpanther]

The man has been the consistent leader on a team that has went to 2 (hopefully 3 by the end of his career) consecutive NCAA tournaments, something unprecedented. Although I will always be a huge fan of Robbie Sieverding (spelling?), and Benny has definately had an incredible supporting cast, I have no reason to think he isn't the best player in our history. But of course, I am a young'un, so I only remember about the last 7 years of UNI Basketball.

[Blue42]

Not sure if he's the best of all time. Certainly in the top 5 or even top 3. Beyond that I'd have to hear some debate.

But I'll always have a bias toward Benny because he was one of McDermott's 1st recruits and has been largely responsible for the turnaround (along with David Gruber). I sometimes wonder how McDermott convinced Benny to come to UNI out of Sioux City. It took great vision on Benny's part to believe they could get something going at UNI and not just come here and toil in anonymity.

[Born-a-Panther]

I sometimes wonder how McDermott convinced Benny to come to UNI out of Sioux City. It took great vision on Benny's part to believe they could get something going at UNI and not just come here and toil in anonymity.

I just very recently talked to Benny about why he came here and he did say that a big reason was the he wanted to be a part of a team that he believed could turn a program around. He said his first visit here was a conference game and he couldn't believe that there were only like 2,000 people in attendance. He said he didn't envision that being what college bball was all about... and he wanted to help change it. He obviously believed in McDermott and staff from the beginning and saw something special in his coach before anybody else really got to. So props to all of them and props to Benny for taking his dreams and running with them!

[blien]

I'm old enough to be at the games of the 89-90 squad, guys like J Reese were pretty damn good. Others of recent memory: Kraayenbrink, Blocker,Gruber,Daisy,Severding... oh Newby! (UNI vs Missouri fame for you old schoolers that can recall )
Benny is Top 2!
Go Panthers!

[GonzoCat]

No offense to Benny, but I have to go with Jason Reese on this one.

[4N6]

Jason Reese

I'm going to have to go with Reese also. My decision is partly due to timing. Jason Reese, Steve Phyfe, Maurice Newby, Brad Hill and the others were all part of the big '89 - '90 squad that broke the barrier for the Panthers. First trip to the NCAA's. Reese was an animal inside, and feared around the conference. Georgetown had him on their "All Opponent" team that year. So, I'm going with Reese as all-time best player. So, here's my top five ...

Jason Reese
Ben Jacobson
Ron Lemons
Bill McCoy
David Gruber

[panther2317]

I think Jason Daisy has to be in that group too. No offense to Bill McCoy (who was a tremendous player in his time), but UNI was playing Division II basketball when he was a Panther (I think) and the level of competition is nowhere near what the current Panthers have to compete against. For that reason, I think you have to throw guys like Cam Johnson, Randy Blocker and Jason Daisy into the conversation.

That being said, if UNI goes to a 3rd straight NCAA Tournament, Benny will be the best player in UNI history. But Jason Reese, Gruber, Sieverding, Cam, Daisy and Blocker all deserve to be mentioned here along with these other Panther greats.

[TravelingPanther]

I've been around since 89. Some favorites of mine growing up were, Reese, Daisy, Blocker, Sieverding, and Cam Johnson, but I still think Ben is probably the best player UNI has had. Although this year he seems to have this attitude about him that I don't care for much, but I'm sure that's just a part of the game. Still a nice guy.

[Middy33]

1st Jason Daisy
2nd-Benny, Reese

[McPANTHER]

I've been watching Panther Basketball since the early 70's and we have seen many great players. As we all know, each player brings something unique to the game. Some are great scorers, some are great rebounders, some are great defenders, but rarely does a player have the leadership to go with the whole package. We have had better scorers than Benny, better rebounders and better defenders, but, overall, he could be the best. He exhibits the leadership that makes players great. He would be the captain of the "All Panther Team' in my opinion.

[Mad Dog]

I agree McPanther. I have been at a large percentage of Panther games dating back to the start of the '70-'71 season. While it is fun to look back at some of the names, faces, and personalities of years past, it is just a bit unfair.
I was in the west gym the nite that Bill McCoy set what was then the scoring record. He was great for the times. Could he be that good now with the same play that set the record back then???? - no way. The game has changed and the physical make-up of athletes has changed too.
A few weeks ago I watched the tape of the UNI vrs. Green Bay game to earn the trip to the tournament---back in March of '90. I was at that game also and with seeing that old footage, I suddenly realized that since as recently as that game, the game and players have indeed changed. It is just so much quicker.
In a few years we will all look back at 2006 and wonder how these guys competed so well.
The important thing really is today. These guys are good athletes, they are good people. They have good coaching and as witnessed here, good fans. It is fun to look back and wonder, but believe me, the best is here and now. GO PANTHERS---you are the best!

[McPANTHER]

I'm with you, Mad Dog, it is fun to look back at some of the more memorable games of the past. As these youngsters get older they will find it harder to single out one player after they've seen as many as we have. I'll have to admit, however, it's the best time to be a Panther!!

[pantherfan4ever]

Im not even going to comment because of my extreme conflict of interest here, but I think you all know my answer. But I really want to know what others truely think.

sorry, what did you mean by this? i am new to this board so I dont know your conflict of interest. just curious