Izzo is a great coach but Kruger was a much, much better player. Izzo was a D-II all american. Kruger was All Big 8 twice and player of the year his senior year. He also started on the baseball team. Kruger was selected in the MLB draft and the NBA draft. Kruger was also selected third team all time All Big 8 that is freaking huge. Just in 1988 I can think of a lot of really good players in the Big 8 including Chievous, Grayer, Richmond, Manning, Grant, Grace, Blaylock, King not to mention many other really great Big 8 players like Big Country, Wayman, and more guys than I can remember at KU.
It would be best for Tom not to challenge Lon in anything other than coaching.