John Wilkins LOI to Illinois State

[rrshock]

I guess that's better than one of the "BCS" conferences schools getting him. We'll get to watch him at some point.

[SubGod22]

Like I've said in the past. The better talent that other Valley teams get the better for us. The more success the Valley has and the more exposure we get and that helps everyone. As much as I hate the NBA, the more players that get shots and get drafted the better it is for the Valley. Sure, I wish we had this guy, but at least he's in the Valley and not the Big 12 or Big 11.

[C0|dB|00ded]

Don't confuse my comments with searching for a consolation prize. I will always think of WSU to the MVC as I think of Memphis to CUSA. It's a real pisser that we "lose" a recruit of this caliber to another Valley school but we do have several big guys and with the E.O. situation just recently getting settled, we might have had this guy on the back burner until just a week ago. From the gist of the news article, this fella doesn't like being put on the back burner.

P.S.

I'm no Valley fan... but then you all knew that...


T


...8)

[C0|dB|00ded]

Like I've said in the past. The better talent that other Valley teams get the better for us. The more success the Valley has and the more exposure we get and that helps everyone. As much as I hate the NBA, the more players that get shots and get drafted the better it is for the Valley. Sure, I wish we had this guy, but at least he's in the Valley and not the Big 12 or Big 11.

Like I've said in the past. The better talent that other Valley teams get the better for us. The more success the Valley has and the more exposure we get and that helps everyone.

Some of your statements are logical but they mask a sort of inferiority (*cough* realism *cough*) that you need to shake off. Sure, a rising tide lifts all boats, but if we need the Valley to lift our fortunes we aren't the program that we should be. The Shocker Nation is not a "Valley program". How does Houston's year affect Memphis? How does Evansville's baseball season affect the Shox's baseball season? If we need help from this paltry conference, we are grossly underachieving relative to the potential this program has. Even the great Turdgeon once said that WSU is a major program in a mid-major conference... I think that was one of the few public statements he got right.

So far we have grossly underachieved during the last 20 years. If you consider our resources, history, and overall regional support, it is almost as if God himself has his thumb pressed firmly down on top of the Roundhouse. Whomever needs to repent needs to get it done because this curse needs to get lifted.. and in a hurry.


T


...8)

[MikeShox]

Like I've said in the past. The better talent that other Valley teams get the better for us. The more success the Valley has and the more exposure we get and that helps everyone. As much as I hate the NBA, the more players that get shots and get drafted the better it is for the Valley. Sure, I wish we had this guy, but at least he's in the Valley and not the Big 12 or Big 11.

Like I've said in the past. The better talent that other Valley teams get the better for us. The more success the Valley has and the more exposure we get and that helps everyone.

Some of your statements are logical but they mask a sort of inferiority (*cough* realism *cough*) that you need to shake off. Sure, a rising tide lifts all boats, but if we need the Valley to lift our fortunes we aren't the program that we should be. The Shocker Nation is not a "Valley program". How does Houston's year affect Memphis? How does Evansville's baseball season affect the Shox's baseball season? If we need help from this paltry conference, we are grossly underachieving relative to the potential this program has. Even the great Turdgeon once said that WSU is a major program in a mid-major conference... I think that was one of the few public statements he got right.

So far we have grossly underachieved during the last 20 years. If you consider our resources, history, and overall regional support, it is almost as if God himself has his thumb pressed firmly down on top of the Roundhouse. Whomever needs to repent needs to get it done because this curse needs to get lifted.. and in a hurry.


T


...8)

Point taken Cold, but on the other hand, I for one would like the Valley teams to improve to the point that the entire Valley is strong. Maybe there are some weak members and I would like to see some changes in the members of the Valley, but I certainly wish for more outstanding talent to choose the Valley. Naturally, I want the best of the best here at WSU, but I don't want the rest of the league to be so weak that the Shockers look like a good team in a bad league. I would love to see the league return to the good ol' days of the "Valley of Death". Two or three changes in the members of the league and continued good recruiting could head the league in that direction.

[SubGod22]

Cold has a very good point. But I don't think WSU has to rely on the Valley. Just that I'd like to see the conference as a whole get more respect and pub and to make more noise in March. We'll get our players with Marshall at the helm. There's no doubt about that. But until we get the sustained success of a Memphis it's still a bit tough to get into some recruits homes. The conference can help if the other teams step up and are dedicated to pushing this thing as far as it can.

[Aargh]

A 6'9" recruit is going to look at WSU's roster and see Stutz, Blair, Ellis, and assume Orukpe. That could raise some serious PT questions.

It's hard to sign good players when there's an appearance they won't get significant minutes until their Jr. year.

[tropicalshox]

Wilkins will not be at Bradley this year, and apparently not next. His paperwork never cleared the NCAA and he has enrolled at Sotheastern (IA) CC. He will sit out 2nd semester and play for them next year. His father says he is still committed to Bradley and looks forward to John becoming eligible for admission there.

[tropicalshox]

Wilkins signs LOI with Illinois State.