The name Tim Floyd should certainly be a familiar one among the true Cyclone fans out there.

While detailed knowledge is probably too much to expect, those of you who’ve been wearing the cardinal and gold more than a few years should at least be acquainted with the name.

Now, don’t feel too bad if you don’t remember Tim Floyd or if your knowledge is fleeting. Just think on it for a few minutes and let me know what you come up with.

One name ISU fans are far from confused about is that of Larry Eustachy. In fact, no self-respecting NCAA basketball fan in the nation is unfamiliar with that up-and-coming name.

After learning the ropes for 12 years as an assistant coach at every school from Mississippi State to Ball State, Eustachy perfected his game as a head coach in the Big Sky and Big West Conferences.

In eight years at the helm for Idaho and Utah State, Eustachy never saw his overall record dip below the .500 level and led both schools to regular season conference championships.

Then, one warm, summer day, the young coach made a fateful trip to Ames, Iowa. The rest, as they say, is history.

Anyway, back to Tim Floyd. Anything come to mind just yet?

Was he that British rock star back in the ’70s? You know, the one with the Wall and Dark Moon albums?

Actually, you’re thinking of the band Pink Floyd, but good try. While Tim Floyd wasn’t the driving force behind The Wall or Dark Side of the Moon, he did have a few memorable moments, so I’ll give you another shot.

One man who won’t need a second chance is Eustachy. In just two years at the helm for Iowa State, he’s accomplished the unthinkable.

Inheriting a 12-18 team, Eustachy kept his unblemished streak alive by going 15-15 in his first season. After nine seasons as a head coach, Eustachy still had yet to experience a single sub-.500 season.

Then, of course, came the start to the 1999-2000 season.

Anyway, I’m getting off track again.

Tim Floyd.

Who was he?

He was that guard for Georgetown back in the early ’80s, right? The one that played for the Nets all those years?

A little warmer, but wrong again. Eric “Sleepy” Floyd was an All-American shooting guard for the Hoyas and then for several years in the NBA. Unfortunately, Tim Floyd never made a Final Four, unlike his “Sleepy” namesake.

One man that has a shot at a Final Four bid this year is Eustachy. By molding the most successful team in ISU history, Eustachy’s Cyclones are two games away from that historic landmark and just one away from the Elite Eight.

After posting an unprecedented 29-4 record, Iowa State nabbed a record-setting No. 2 seed and has already advanced to only their third Sweet Sixteen in the modern era.

And to whom do most Cyclone fans and all Cyclone players credit the recent success. Larry Eustachy.

Once again, I digress.

Do you have another guess for me?

Okay, this may be way off. Is he the next guy in line to coach the Cyclones?

You’re definitely on the right track here, but not quite. The truth is, there is no “next-in-line” in Ames these days.

In lieu of his amazing season, Eustachy has agreed to make himself a fixture in the Cyclone community, signing a lucrative 10-year contract. Iowa State won’t have to settle for mediocre coaching for at least another decade.

In fact, calling on dedication and loyalty unseen in his predecessor, Eustachy made it clear that he wanted to finish his career in Ames. He even told ISU athletic director Gene Smith that if the Knicks called for him tomorrow, don’t bother to take a message.

Enough about Eustachy already. Any more guesses on the whole Tim Floyd question?

Was he the guy that laid siege on to all of those coastal towns in Virginia and the Carolinas late last year?

Hurricane Floyd? At this point, you’re not even close. Allow me to acquaint you with the real Tim Floyd.

Though it may be hard for even the most dedicated of ISU fans to recall, Tim Floyd was actually once the head coach of the Cyclone men’s basketball team. He filled in for the four years it took the Cyclones to recruit Eustachy after the retirement of Johnny Orr.

Floyd did an adequate job in Ames, but like the majority of interim head coaches, he didn’t compare to the legend he replaced or the superstar he preceded.

Currently, Floyd has taken a step backwards in his coaching career, sitting at the helm of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. They’ve occupied the league’s cellar since his installment, but there’s no telling where Floyd might someday take them. In fact, given some good breaks and few lucky seasons, he may even work his way back into the NCAA.

The truth is, Floyd wasn’t a bad coach. He even managed to push his solid Cyclone teams into some decent postseason play. But if I remember correctly, the community of Ames breathed a collective sigh of relief when he took his game elsewhere.

Don’t expect that to happen again anytime soon.

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Ron DeMarse is a senior in liberal studies from Muscatine.