OT: Big Ten Icons TV show airing on the Big Ten Network and UM Athletes

Submitted by Webber's Pimp on

 

Re: Top 29 Big Ten Icons and UM BB players. Reply

So almost 7% of the list is comprised of University of Michigan basketball players. Glen Rice checks in at #27 and Cazzie Russel at #29. Could there be more players on the list? Perhaps Rudy Tomjanovich? 

I think Magic Johnsons's ends up #1. I'm sure we'll see Jesse Owens (Track, OSU), Jack Nicklaus (Golf, OSU) and Archie Griffin on that list.  I also think we'll get Tom Harmon in the top 19 and maybe even Tom Brady (who in my mind had the single greatest season of any Michigan quarterback). 

Now for  a question...

If Reggie Bush is gonna get a free pass from the media (I've been very surprised by how well he is being treated btw) then isn't it time that we give Chris Webber his due as one of the very best basketball players to ever play in the Big Ten??

 

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blueloosh

September 21st, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^

The show does not take pro performance into account so I don't we're seeing Brady over Woodson.  I also don't think Magic gets #1 based on his two years (am I right he was only there for 2?).  Owens seems like a sure bet.  Archie Griffin definitely.

I am definitely curious to see who ends up on the list.  I had no clue who #19 was so I am expecting some odd choices.

Joined: 10/26/2008

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bronxblue

September 21st, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^

Webber deserves credit for what he did on the court, but I think the combination of the Martin scandal coupled with the fact that he did not play at UM for very long means he'll probably be on the lower end of the countdown.  Hopefully he will be highlighted, though, since those teams were iconic.

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GoBlueInNYC

September 21st, 2010 at 10:35 PM ^

Personally, I'm down on Webber.  Has he ever apologized for taking the money?  Not to mention that time out call.  (Also, I don't know if this has any bearing on B10 Icons, but according to wikipedia, Webber is banned from having any affiliation with the basketball program until 2013.)

I was thinking recently about who will end up at #1.  The first person I came up with was Jesse Owens, and I would be completely satisfied with that pick.  Isn't there a plaque on UM's campus commemorating something Owens did?

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MGoShoe

September 21st, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^

...is correct.  The plaque is located at the east end of the Ferry Field track, south of the IM Building.

Ferry Field has a permanent place in track and field history. As a collegian at Ohio State University, Jesse Owens set three world records and tied another as a sophomore at the 1935 Big Ten Conference Championships held at the University of Michigan's facility. A time chronology of Owens' feat shows he tied the 100-yard dash record (9.4) at 2:45 p.m.; set the broad jump record (26-8) 1/4) at 3:25 p.m.; established the 220-yard dash record (20.3) at 3:34 p.m.; and at 4 p.m. set the 220-yard low hurdles record (22.6). Described as the greatest day in track and field history, a plaque commemorating Owens' accomplishment stands at the southeast corner of Ferry Field.

Also, see this page for more info.  The Owens plaque is the one on the upper right (facing the flagpole). 

The flagpole and the original plaque (in the center) were placed by the M Club in November 1919 to commemorate U-M varsity men who had given their lives for their country in World War I. The plaque was originally mounted on a stone pier, but this was changed to brick when later plaques were added. A second plaque, on the left, was added to honor varsity M men who perished in World War II, and the lower right plaque was placed as a memorial to a varsity man who gave his life in Vietnam. The fourth plaque, upper right, is the only one that is not a war memorial, but serves to commemorate the four world's records set by Jesse Owens on Ferry Field in 1935, when he represented Ohio State in a Big Ten track meet.

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Leaders And Best

September 21st, 2010 at 11:16 PM ^

This topic has been discussed before.  The show is supposed to be based solely on the collegiate careers which would keep players like Tom Brady from making the list.   Archie Griffin, Dick Butkus, Red Grange, Mark Spitz, Jesse Owens, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, John Wooden, Dave Winfield are sure to make the list.

I think Jesse Owens or Magic ends up as the #1 icon.

Joined: 09/09/2009

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Leaders And Best

September 22nd, 2010 at 12:39 AM ^

I am really nervous though.  You know there will be a handful of female athletes and other sports most fans don't pay attention to.  Harmon could be left off the list.  There are going to be several Heisman trophy winners who will be left off the list.

If you assume the previously listed athletes all make the list, you only have room for about another 5-6 athletes.

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Leaders And Best

September 22nd, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^

There are going to be Heisman trophy winners left off the list.

Kirk Gibson had a good college career, but he is nowhere in the league of these athletes based only on collegiate careers.  Gibson's football career would fall behind many athletes who won't make the list, and he had a minimal impact in college baseball as he played only one year.

The best icon for MSU is far and away Magic Johnson who will be in the top 10.  MSU will not have a football icon in the top 20 if Bubba Smith is at #26.

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Leaders And Best

September 22nd, 2010 at 7:48 AM ^

Both of those guys are legends and should easily be in the top 50 so I assume they will be in the top 20. 

John Wooden was the first consensus 3 time All-American in basketball and led Purdue to 2 Big Ten Championships and 1 National title (by vote prior to the tournament).  He is going to be Purdue's highest icon and is a state of Indiana legend.  The fact he is the greatest college basketball coach is only icing on the cake.  Most people forget he was an accomplished basketball player and was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach (the first to do so).

Dave Winfield played 2 sports at Minnesota (baseball and basketball) and was a 1973 All-American and Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series--as a pitcher.  He led Minnesota to the final four of the College World Series in 1973 and the basketball team to its first Big Ten title in over 30 years.  He was an amazing athlete who got drafted in 3 different sports (basketball, baseball, and football) and 4 different leagues.  He will most likely be Minnesota's highest icon.

The Big Ten has had some amazing athletes.  I love Brady, but what he did in college is not close to these guys.  Tom Brady may have not even been one of top 3 QBs at MIchigan in the 1990s based on collegiate performance.

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Hoke_Floats

September 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^

how about mark spitz (IU) and michael phelps (UofM)

I would like to see another honorable mention show

Do they have to compete in the B10 to be eligible?  No hockey players then

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