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Everyone needs to be reminded of this. These are people. There are lots of reasons for transfers. Stop acting like you know the players and why they are making personal choices.
Every year there are transfers that get thoroughly get discussed on Shockernet ad nauseum. We speculate and move on. Austin, whom I loved, decides to leave and some believe the program is imploding and an AD investigation is warranted. Others are wanting to be mad at some villian. Really? Probably, as others have speculated, he felt the situation here wasn't what he was looking for. No good guys, no bad guys just a life choice. It happens.
Again. This is truly the first unexpected loss that is troubling. I'm not crazy worried yet. Everything else was expected and or not surprising. To say this is a mass exodus is a little much. But I do have a feeling that going to practice every day at WSU and living in that intense environment is a grind that few of us would be able to take. Especially with a 20 year old brain. That is what I think. And that world might not be the best fit for some kids after living it for a while. I truly wish AR the absolute best. Always a favorite for sure.
You all talking about the paper is actually helping them get more funding... Think about it
I’ve thought about it. The talking is not adding a dime to their coffers. Thankfully, few read it. But that doesn’t remove the fact that a student newspaper disparaged one of their own. Classless and bad form. And the athletic department should have spoken up. The Sunflower doesn’t deserve a dime of STUDENT fees since they are going to take money and degrade a STUDENT’s performance—on the basketball floor or anywhere else.
Austin will be missed a ton. I am sure the coaching staff hated to hear this news. Anyone saying he won't be missed is misguided. If we heard we just signed a transfer similar to Austin we would be doing back-flips. Some team is going to get a really good difference making player.
This is horrible news and we'll probably never know exactly what was the catalyst of the decision. Perhaps Austin saw the writing on the wall, based on the recruits we've signed and are trying to bring in - that his PT next year won't substantially increase. Maybe he's homesick. Maybe seeing his closest friends on the team depart impacted him more than we care to think. Or maybe he and HCGM have grown apart. The answer is who the heck knows. What I do know is Austin will give the same old rubber stamp statement, that will NOT shed any more light, "I want to thank Wichita State University, the coaching staff, and most importantly HCGM for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing major D1 basketball. However, in speaking with my family and based on personal reasons, I feel that it's best that I transfer to continue my scholastic and athletic pursuits elsewhere. I want to thank the fans, my friends and the coaching staff for everything they've done for me while playing here and I'll always be a Shocker."
While I thought he was a solid contributor and by all accounts and stand up guy and teammate, he was specialists on the court. Not particularly great or reliable on defense, his lack of athleticism was exposed numerous times. Pretty much a three point shooter and his lack of size and athleticism did not make the opponent seriously consider him a driving threat. Was he relegated to the perimeter because he didn't want to place himself in a situation that could increase the probability of aggravating his shoulder problems? I''m sure that played some sort of role and was a liability.
Personally, I think the AAC exposed this team and HCGM knows that he has to get more athletic and physically stronger players to be a major player in this conference. I think the team makeup HCGM is trying to create is not aligned with Austin's vision of playing time or how he can potentially contribute to the team. It is a big loss however as he would have brought leadership, good BBIQ, experience and outstanding perimeter play that can't be easily replaced. I wish the young man luck in his future endeavors.
“I’m not crazy worried yet” either, but it will take awhile for my nuts to heal.
Not "crazy worried" either. Yet, losing just the seniors was a "wow, we need some dudes" moment. Then three transfers of Barney, Malone, and Keyser. This left me like, "ok...need more dudes." After this one? Yikes. This makes for a young program that is going to have to find some JC guys the next couple of seasons.
Personally, I think the AAC exposed this team and HCGM knows that he has to get more athletic and physically stronger players to be a major player in this conference. I think the team makeup HCGM is trying to create is not aligned with Austin's vision of playing time or how he can potentially contribute to the team. It is a big loss however as he would have brought leadership, good BBIQ, experience and outstanding perimeter play that can't be easily replaced. I wish the young man luck in his future endeavors.
This is horrible news and we'll probably never know exactly what was the catalyst of the decision. Perhaps Austin saw the writing on the wall, based on the recruits we've signed and are trying to bring in - that his PT next year won't substantially increase. Maybe he's homesick. Maybe seeing his closest friends on the team depart impacted him more than we care to think. Or maybe he and HCGM have grown apart. The answer is who the heck knows. What I do know is Austin will give the same old rubber stamp statement, that will NOT shed any more light, "I want to thank Wichita State University, the coaching staff, and most importantly HCGM for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing major D1 basketball. However, in speaking with my family and based on personal reasons, I feel that it's best that I transfer to continue my scholastic and athletic pursuits elsewhere. I want to thank the fans, my friends and the coaching staff for everything they've done for me while playing here and I'll always be a Shocker."
While I thought he was a solid contributor and by all accounts and stand up guy and teammate, he was specialists on the court. Not particularly great or reliable on defense, his lack of athleticism was exposed numerous times. Pretty much a three point shooter and his lack of size and athleticism did not make the opponent seriously consider him a driving threat. Was he relegated to the perimeter because he didn't want to place himself in a situation that could increase the probability of aggravating his shoulder problems? I''m sure that played some sort of role and was a liability.
Personally, I think the AAC exposed this team and HCGM knows that he has to get more athletic and physically stronger players to be a major player in this conference. I think the team makeup HCGM is trying to create is not aligned with Austin's vision of playing time or how he can potentially contribute to the team. It is a big loss however as he would have brought leadership, good BBIQ, experience and outstanding perimeter play that can't be easily replaced. I wish the young man luck in his future endeavors.
Too bad you come to these conclusions, particularly since it is obvious you didn't watch him play, other than a few times he was "exposed." Anyone who really watched him knows 110% that Austin did not back down from anything, for any reason. For my own heart's concern, he stuck his nose and shouolders into where I wish he hadn't, many times.So much more than a perimeter shooter. Made up for physical quickness with tremendous BBIQ (perhaos you could ask him to share his extra with you).
I'm totally sorry he decided to leave as I believe he, if healthy, could have played his way into the rafters.
"I not sure that I've ever been around a more competitive player or young man than Fred VanVleet. I like to win more than 99.9% of the people in this world, but he may top me." -- Gregg Marshall 12/23/13 :peaceful:
--------------------------------------- Remember when Nancy Pelosi said about Obamacare: "We have to pass it, to find out what's in it".
A physician called into a radio show and said: "That's the definition of a stool sample."
Gimme a break fool. I've watched the same 6'5" rail thin player that you have. We both agree that Austin leaving is not a good thing. I also agree and do not question the mental toughness Austin demonstrates. Evidently, we disagree to the level of consistency his play brought to the court every night. For example, in the 8 losses - Austin averaged 5.8 PPG and shot 33% from the field. Remove the 7 for 13 game he had in one of those losses, he shot 24 percent from the field and had three games when he went o'fer from the field. If you think for a moment that Austin simply had 'bad' games and it had nothing to do with the caliber of player(s) that he was facing, then put the meth pipe down.
I'm not jumping up and down for joy of this transfer. I see a lot of potential in Austin and if his darn shoulders didn't give him problems, Kerry would have already put 20 lbs on that frame and he'd be an absolute monster. I understand there is more to basketball than just scoring, we agree his leadership, experience and IQ is going to hurt this team more than it already is going through during this transition. But if you think AAC players are on equal footing with MVC players (top to bottom), then you need to see an eye doctor. And this is an observation of a down AAC conference at the moment. Wait until Memphis, UCONN, Temple and SMU get back to being their usual selves.
Rev, where did I say that AAC = MVC? Straw man comment.
As for you cherry-picking his performance in TEAM losses, the only main rotation players that performed as well in losses as wins was Willis, Kelly and Brown; the others failed to perform to their standards as well. And their Assist/turnover ratios were sub-par (for them) in losses as well.
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