WSU Rival Poll

[Veritas]

Ok~ Shocker fans. Which school do you feel comes closest to being a rival for WSU?


Normally, I'd go with whomever the Shox play next, but I want to try to choose a school.

I'm going with MSU with BU coming in second. I'd originally go with Tulsa by a wide margin, but this is a MoVal only poll.

[Zardoz]

I'm not sure we have a MVC rival. We just hate CU. We do get Tulsa back this year and prior to their leaving the Valley that was a pretty good rivalry.

[tropicalshox]

Without something nasty happening on the floor I just don't see Tusla becoming the rival they once were.

[wufan]

I always think of MSU as a rival. They are the closest to Wichita. Cities are similar in population. The problem with the rivalry has always been that there has been very little at stake when the two schools match up in recent year. I would love to see a resurgence of meaningful games with MSU.

I also think that a good Creighton and Bradley team is good for the MVC. WSU, CU, BU, and MSU finishing in the top half of the league is good for the league as a whole. The 5th team can be anyone other than Evansville! UNI, SIU, Ill St, and Drake all have enough name recognition to be a decent representative of the league.

[BOBB]

I hate Creighton. If that makes us rivals, so be it. IMO a rival is someone who's success comes at your expense and vice versa. Or where there is a long history of such. To be frank, we hadn't stood in Creighton's way much in the Dana period. If you look back we have been a factor in the Valley race twice in the last twenty or so years. I think it's fair to say they hate us for our assessment that we are the rightful heir to Valley titles and ncaa berths when our recent and not so recent history shows different. We hate them because they are rich and their old coach seemed to have the Valley office and refs swinging from his nuts. Does that make us a rivalry? I think not, but I do take pleasure in their pain.

[1972Shocker]

In my mind a true rivalry is one where there is always a lot of intensity regardless of how much is at stake. Hatred maybe is a little strong for me, but an intense dislike of losing to any particular team at any time means they are probably your rival. Who do you dislike losing to the most (whether or not anything is at stake)?

For me that is probably Creighton. My preference is that we are both good (with the Shocks being better of course).

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

right about now im in a heated rivalry with the porcelain god.

[kcshocker11]

I said MSU, just the thought makes me think of Deliverance

[wsushox1]

Naww its CU.

[60Shock]

My criteria for a rivalry has always been that no matter how bad your season has been, if you beat this one school, your season is a success. Often this is an in-state rivalry or a conference rival.

Tulsa used to meet that benchmark for us when they were in the MVC, not so today. CU would be the closest thing we have today, but that is kind of iffy.

[AndShock]

My criteria for a rivalry has always been that no matter how bad your season has been, if you beat this one school, your season is a success. Often this is an in-state rivalry or a conference rival.

Tulsa used to meet that benchmark for us when they were in the MVC, not so today. CU would be the closest thing we have today, but that is kind of iffy.

I don't know if I really like that definition. I think that "one game success" should be reserved for "spoilers," teams like Evansville who have one thing to celebrate all season. I consider Duke and UNC a rivalry, but I don't think Duke considers their season a success if they miss the tournament, but beat UNC.

[ShockerFever]

Without something nasty happening on the floor I just don't see Tusla becoming the rival they once were.

Agreed. The nearly 10-year absence between meetings in the late 90's and early 2000's really killed the thing. It's a shame too.

[SHOXAAC]

My criteria for a rivalry has always been that no matter how bad your season has been, if you beat this one school, your season is a success. Often this is an in-state rivalry or a conference rival.

Tulsa used to meet that benchmark for us when they were in the MVC, not so today. CU would be the closest thing we have today, but that is kind of iffy.

I don't know if I really like that definition. I think that "one game success" should be reserved for "spoilers," teams like Evansville who have one thing to celebrate all season. I consider Duke and UNC a rivalry, but I don't think Duke considers their season a success if they miss the tournament, but beat UNC.

That's comparing apples & oranges. Last time Duke missed NCAA tourny was '95, when coach K was sick and missed 12 games. Honestly the last time WSU had a real rival was Tulsa. Back in the '80's when both programs were relevant and most games were memorable. Because WSU has been more miss than hit the past 20 years, a true rival has been void. As has been mentioned sCUm is the most hated school in the MVC for Shocker fans, therefore that game is the most ANTICIPATED, for the lack of a better term. Applications for a rival are now open however, as the Shockers, as a relevant MVC program, is here to stay
:goshocks:

[ShockerFever]

I always think of MSU as a rival. They are the closest to Wichita. Cities are similar in population. The problem with the rivalry has always been that there has been very little at stake when the two schools match up in recent year. I would love to see a resurgence of meaningful games with MSU.

I also think that a good Creighton and Bradley team is good for the MVC. WSU, CU, BU, and MSU finishing in the top half of the league is good for the league as a whole. The 5th team can be anyone other than Evansville! UNI, SIU, Ill St, and Drake all have enough name recognition to be a decent representative of the league.

Cities are similar in population.

I hate to be "that guy", but Wichita is more than twice as large as Springfield.

Everything else I agree with you with.

[ShockerFever]

I have many definitions of the word rivalry. I think a lot of factors go into making rivalries. I also feel there can be many, many interpretations for the word.

Here's one I like to go by:

A school/team you play often (annually at least) that when you see them on the wrong side of the box score against another opponent, it makes you literally smile.