An argument for Missouri State

[Red]

I realize predictions mean nothing but I bet there isn't a preseason publication or MVC poll that has the Bears any higher than 7th heading into next season. Way, way, way too many young players and question marks.

Before Gulley's injury there was a chance but not now.

[STL MVC]

I find all the Kyle Weems hate bizarre. I enjoyed watching him compete as much as any other player I've ever seen come through this conference. Sure, he shot MSU out of a few games this year because he was shouldering such a heavy load, but what's not to like? How quickly we forget his magical junior season... his game-winners against UNI in the regular season and against SIU in the Arch Madness quarterfinals. He's a tough-nosed defender and good rebounder, a guy who made big shot after big shot in his career, and, most importantly, a guy who stayed true to his school even when major schools were offering him a chance to transfer after Cuonzo Martin left.

And yes, it's true, Weems is a very likable interview personality. Reflective, thoughtful, fun to listen to. You can tell he really cares. I am stunned at how much some of you dislike him.

[glm38]

I realize predictions mean nothing but I bet there isn't a preseason publication or MVC poll that has the Bears any higher than 7th heading into next season. Way, way, way too many young players and question marks.

I don't think anyone even the most optimistic Bears fan is predicting great things for the Bears this upcoming season?? Especially now that Gulley is out. But there is reason to think that if certain things break right we could surprise a lot of teams and finish in the top half of the MVC. The talent is there. It's just very young. And the future looks really good.

Yes the hate against Kyle is bizarre. Especially coming from WSU fans. They will always defend Marshall when he displays his very competitive nature and says and does things that are less than professional. And then condemn Weems when he displays the same competitive drive? But off the court from all I've read both are very fine men. From having met Kyle and being around him a little bit I have no doubt that's the case where he is concerned.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Weems is probably the toughest, most admirable star to come through this league in a long time,

Thanks for the laugh. This post wins the award for the most unintentionally funny post of the summer or at least since Casey's last post).

My first thought about the Weems comment was "Way too much Kool-Ade."

[Ricardo del Rio]

I find all the Kyle Weems hate bizarre. I enjoyed watching him compete as much as any other player I've ever seen come through this conference. Sure, he shot MSU out of a few games this year because he was shouldering such a heavy load, but what's not to like? How quickly we forget his magical junior season... his game-winners against UNI in the regular season and against SIU in the Arch Madness quarterfinals. He's a tough-nosed defender and good rebounder, a guy who made big shot after big shot in his career, and, most importantly, a guy who stayed true to his school even when major schools were offering him a chance to transfer after Cuonzo Martin left.

And yes, it's true, Weems is a very likable interview personality. Reflective, thoughtful, fun to listen to. You can tell he really cares. I am stunned at how much some of you dislike him.

I am pretty sure you are a liberal.

[MoValley John]

Kyle Weems is disliked because of his on court antics. It has been discussed for the last two years. The flexing, posing, posturing and even pointing at opponents benches is why people don't like Kyle Weems. Weems may be a genuine nice guy, great interview, charitable, caring and kind, but all anyone knows outside of Springfield is the showboat. There is nothing for Bears fan to be surprised about, he did this on his home floor as well as on the road. Valley fans saw this week in and week out. We never had the Opportunity to see the human interest stories reflecting any other side of him.

For the record, I don't think too many Shocker fans are surprised that Gregg Marshall isn't well liked. I have heard that he is a very nice, caring, generous and gentile man. Those characteristics don't shine through to many opposing fans when all they see is what goes on during a 40 minute game.

[Jays26]

Kyle Weems is disliked because of his on court antics. It has been discussed for the last two years. The flexing, posing, posturing and even pointing at opponents benches is why people don't like Kyle Weems. Weems may be a genuine nice guy, great interview, charitable, caring and kind, but all anyone knows outside of Springfield is the showboat. There is nothing for Bears fan to be surprised about, he did this on his home floor as well as on the road. Valley fans saw this week in and week out. We never had the Opportunity to see the human interest stories reflecting any other side of him.

For the record, I don't think too many Shocker fans are surprised that Gregg Marshall isn't well liked. I have heard that he is a very nice, caring, generous and gentile man. Those characteristics don't shine through to many opposing fans when all they see is what goes on during a 40 minute game.

Or when he is being a d-bag in post game pressers after he has lost.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Frankly, I find it more bizarre or surprising that MSU fans are surprised at the reaction that Weems causes to fans of other schools.

Creighton fans aren't surprised when people talk about P'Allen. WSU fans aren't surprised when people talk about Jamar Howard.

To the guy who said I disliked Weems because he beat us, that is just weak sauce. Bryan Mullins essentially owned Creighton while at SIU, but I had a great deal of respect for the guy. I hated playing against him, but I never hated him.

Call Weems a great player if you want and I won't disagree one iota. However, call him "the most admirable star to come through this league in a long time" and you are going to get some push back and snickers. I can easily think of quite a few recent stars that are a lot more admirable (you could start with every other POY of the last decade), but if one was filling out a starting roster for the biggest MVC douchebags in the recent past, I think most people not living in Springfield would have a hard time not including Weems in the starting five.

[MoValley John]

For the record,I like Gregg Marshall. I like him a lot. As for Weems, I never disliked him, I really disliked his antics. His antics on the floor led me to have no sympathy for him when he cried on tv after losing in the MVC finals.

[agrinut]

I realize predictions mean nothing but I bet there isn't a preseason publication or MVC poll that has the Bears any higher than 7th heading into next season. Way, way, way too many young players and question marks.

I agree with your perspective but how do they have any less question the WSU or ISUb? Drake has a load of new players as well what makes every other teams incoming players so much ahead of the Bears.