Hutch News columnist thinks it's time . . .

[another shocker]

KU is a blue-blood. If WSU played them, and beat them, in Kansas City, let's say, (and that is a very real possibilty with Marshall here- see VCU and UNI crushing KU's dream.. the Shockers get out and run your ass) there would be so many calls to NCAA headquarters (all eminating from Lawrence AND Wichita.. Eagle), it would make your head spin. F 'em. 'Not worth the trouble.

[Kung Wu]

I'll bite.

I really am interested to hear more on the following:
- Increased revenue (how does playing WSU increase the revenue that KU brings in compared to any other quality opponent?)

Local advertisers across the state would be ALL OVER this particular match-up and would pay premium rates for that specific game that national advertisers won't -- and that would be across the board on all mediums: radio, television, newspapers, Internet. Even if broadcast nationally, local television spots would be at a premium.

WSU fans will travel to Lawrence, increasing business activity in that city. You will say they sell out anyway, so they can only fill the stadium so much. However Lawrence and Manhattan swell beyond the seating capacity when they play each other in football/basketball. There are lots of particularly large parties going on those nights in those towns -- this would provide more of that.

- Replacing Longwood with WSU (Couldn't KU replace Longwood with anyone decent and get the same effect? Why is WSU any better of a replacement than any other quality team?)

It's easier to schedule with a team 100 miles away than it is San Diego St or Utah State. Both KU and WSU's schedules would be more flexible because they don't lose an additional day or two of travel.

...

Recruiting in Wichita is easier for them -- even though they already dominate the recruiting process here based on tradition alone, it can't help that they are getting bad-mouthed all the time by Wichitans for every misstep like running shady ticketing operations -- all of that dies, or is at least diminished, should the series be reestablished.

They will appease their fan base, who also want to see the series continue. That leads to bigger donations by boosters.

They will have someone to sue again, when they don't get their whiney ass way with a particular recruit -- that's gotta be good for morale when you have a law school.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

RoyalShock, your point would have held true this year, but not necessarily every year. There have been plenty of years when WSU wasn't strong in all those areas.

Also, I go back to a main question... Why is WSU uniquely qualified to help KU in this way? Aren't there many teams out there with talent, athleticism, and experience?

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Kung Wu, good points. Personally, I think some of your points are stronger than others, but they all make sense.

[NCAABound]

Where the he!! is the ignore button on this site?

[tropicalshox]

WSU will not be sued when Ellis signs his Shocker LOI. North Carolina is no longer in the picture.

[WstateU]

Please wake me up when this debate is over... thanks!

[ShockerGorilla]

Also, I go back to a main question... Why is WSU uniquely qualified to help KU in this way? Aren't there many teams out there with talent, athleticism, and experience?

There are teams out there with more of these attributes, but they aren't in KU's backyard.

[ShockerEngr]

Also, I go back to a main question... Why is WSU uniquely qualified to help KU in this way? Aren't there many teams out there with talent, athleticism, and experience?

On the flipside, why does WSU have to be uniquely qualified?

It's a game that would interest large portions of both fan bases because of the regional ties.

[ABC]

RoyalShock, your point would have held true this year, but not necessarily every year. There have been plenty of years when WSU wasn't strong in all those areas.

Also, I go back to a main question... Why is WSU uniquely qualified to help KU in this way? Aren't there many teams out there with talent, athleticism, and experience?

Jamar, do you not really see how WSU might be a bit different, since it IS IN FREAKING KANSAS?

All three schools get lots of tax money.

They should play. Period.

[WuDrWu]

To add:


Nobody talks much about the 400lb gorilla in the room for WSU....the chance they get embarrassed, and damage the credibility of the entire program.

Playing the game, I FLIPPING PROMISE YOU, is about 10000% more problematic for WSU than it is for KU.

Worst thing for KU? SOME of their fans (you have to ignore the 75% of their fan base that is total bandwagon) have to endure a few T-shirts, maybe a billboard or 2.

Worst thing for WSU? They lose all but their core of support in an embarrassing loss, where a big slew of their base (irrationally) believes getting pounded by the Jayhawks means they can't ever compete.

WSU has so much more to lose than KU it's not even funny.

That's why I, personally, don't care if we play or not. I think they should, and I like the idea of every other year, home and home ONLY (If KU or KSU want to play their home game at the Sprint Center or IBA it's up to them, but ours are at CKA), but I am not losing any sleep over not playing. I'd rather play Duke or some team that's interested in a fair fight and challenging someone and being challenged.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I'm seeing a lot of merging of issues. For example, ABC, I understand that all 3 schools get tax money. I already said that I am in favor of legislation forcing the teams to play each other. My questions revolve around KU's motivations to play WSU.

I see people calling KU all kinds of names because they won't play WSU. I would like to know why those same people think KU would want to play WSU. So far, I've received some reasonable answers, but I've also received a lot of off topic replies.

New question... why does WSU being in Kansas motivate KU to play them? Kung Wu gave a decent answer about increased advertising revenues. I just wonder how much of an increase this game would actually generate. Any other thoughts?

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Nobody talks much about the 400lb gorilla in the room for WSU....the chance they get embarrassed, and damage the credibility of the entire program.

Very good point. WSU is far from risk free if they do finally play a game against the Jayhawks.

[WuDrWu]

I give one more item that gets almost no run.


Because it's good for the game. College basketball SHOULDN'T be about money, and I am under no illusion that's the case.

It should be about the competition. If both teams are good, what a spectacular show that could be. Those kids would love the game, the desire to win, the pride in being the best in the state, knowing that every fan wanted them to win, worse than most other games.

It would be good for the game.

The only time it wouldn't would be when one team is vastly superior to the other and it's not competitive, like the early 90s were. KU went out to destroy WSU and did exactly that. It was incumbent upon the Shocks to be competitive and they failed miserably. The games stopped and they should have, no doubt. But they should have been playing throughout the 70s and 80s and most, if not all, of the last decade.

It's good for the game and it's what competition is all about and it should be what college basketball is all about.

If the only concern is a tiny little egg on the faces of KU fans and coaches, if and only IF (a big flipping if by the way) they happen to lose, then shame on them. And frankly shame on WSU for not being competitive in the 90s when at least we were playing, even though the field wasn't equitable.

[ShockerFever]

Can someone please inform me what KU would have to gain by playing WSU?... and no, getting a bunch of angry WSU's fans off KU's back doesn't count. KU not caring about what WSU fans think is all it takes to get rid of that one.

I'm not saying I don't think there are a few small things KU would gain. I just don't understand the quick jump into talks of arrogance as if KU has lots of good reasons but simply chooses to make a decision against their own best interests.

I thought KC and I were the kings of playing devil's advocate.

You sir are continuing to one-up us at an amazing clip.


WHAT THE HELL DOES KU HAVE TO GAIN BY PLAYING LONGWOOD OR COLORADO STATE OR MIAMI OF OHIO?