I'm a long time Nizoral user, and I'll level with you about it.
Nizoral is not one of those things that you notice if you use it regularly... but it IS one of those things that you WILL notice if you quit it for a few months. My scalp felt like sh*t without Nizoral. Itchy, greasy, shitty.
I don't think any of those three descriptive words are ones that are beneficial if used to describe an male pattern baldness person's scalp. I don't think that Nizoral is the missing key to regain a David Schwimmer hairline, but I do think that it moderates the effects of the harsh topicals that some regimens include, and it does tend to keep the scalp irritation-free and clean of sebum.
Less sebum equals better topical absorbtion.