It's a question I can't answer. I can't escape it, either.
Who is the greatest Gophers men's basketball player of all time?
In 2009, ESPN published its "College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game." When I read the section on Minnesota basketball, I was stunned.
The encyclopedia named Kevin McHale as the greatest player in the program's history. Minnesota's all-time starting five featured Voshon Leonard (1991-95), Whitey Skoog (1948-51), Jim Brewer (1970-73), McHale (1976-80) and Mychal Thompson (1974-78).
I can't believe Lou Hudson didn't make this list. Hudson reached the 1,000-point mark for his career in 65 games. Dick Garmaker is the only player in Gophers history who reached 1,000 points in fewer games (44). And where's Ray Williams? Willie Burton?
And how did McHale earn the greatest of all time tag over Thompson, a two-time All-America?
When I ran into Ray Christensen, the "Voice" of Gophers basketball and football, in 2009, I asked him about ESPN's picks.