John Ekey leaving Illinois State

[uniftw]

yeah, those fat and slow Jank recruits like Jackie, Brown, Wilkens, Allen, etc... ruined the program...

[45otseoj]

Should have clarified...

Ekey didn't like Muller's style. Muller didn't lose any sleep letting him go. Ekey's favorite assistant from Jank's era is an assistant at Illinois. Yet to be seen if he will contribute, but I don't see him playing more that 10 mpg. Don't want to delve too far into Illinois recruiting, but the state's '14 class is the best in the country.

I think everyone wins. Muller wants a fresh start with his players. Ekey wants to play close to ISU but not for Muller; serious GF. Yeah, Ekey would have contributed (probably started), and I have no problem admitting that. I also know that Ekey didn't win much at ISU. Most fans and the coaches were ready to move on.

Also, it's funny that WSU are chiming in as loud as they have. If Deontae Hawkins is half as good as you claimed last year, it seems like Muller made a good move.

And anyone question Greggggg's recruiting doesn't understand college hoops; best in the business.

[shoxrox]

No, get it right. Marshall was called classless for barging into a post-game conference ahead of his turn and that "strange things" happened and that it was a "conspiracy." Not for "over-recruiting." What you guys believe or don't believe isn't our problem, that is something you guys will have to deal with on your own. Also just a word to the wise starting to overlook programs in the MVC and that you're going to beat them by so much may not be the best idea. Take for instance a team like Loyola that Shocker fans feel like they are going to beat senselessly, but the minute you overlook them is the minute you're in trouble and you take a loss with that mindset.

Thanks for the "word to the wise"

A great representative of the Illinois State student body.

[IllinoisState]

No, get it right. Marshall was called classless for barging into a post-game conference ahead of his turn and that "strange things" happened and that it was a "conspiracy." Not for "over-recruiting." What you guys believe or don't believe isn't our problem, that is something you guys will have to deal with on your own. Also just a word to the wise starting to overlook programs in the MVC and that you're going to beat them by so much may not be the best idea. Take for instance a team like Loyola that Shocker fans feel like they are going to beat senselessly, but the minute you overlook them is the minute you're in trouble and you take a loss with that mindset.

Thanks for the "word to the wise"

A great representative of the Illinois State student body.

It's too bad not everyone can be grumpy like your students.

[AndShock]

First of all, I find it ridiculously hard to believe a 5th year senior would get cut at a terrible ISUr only to be offered a scholarship at an up-and-coming Illinois. Second, I hope none of the ISUr fans who are telling this story are the same people who call Marshall classless for "over-recruiting."

No, get it right. Marshall was called classless for barging into a post-game conference ahead of his turn and that "strange things" happened and that it was a "conspiracy." Not for "over-recruiting." What you guys believe or don't believe isn't our problem, that is something you guys will have to deal with on your own. Also just a word to the wise starting to overlook programs in the MVC and that you're going to beat them by so much may not be the best idea. Take for instance a team like Loyola that Shocker fans feel like they are going to beat senselessly, but the minute you overlook them is the minute you're in trouble and you take a loss with that mindset.

Marshalls's recruiting methods have been criticized multiple times on this forum and others. I'm sorry you felt the need to bring something up totally irrelevant to this discussion.

[isuredbirds92]

I didn't even bother reading most of the posts after the middle of that third page. I should have known this would somehow turn in to another place for WSU fans to trash us. Regardless, yes Muller did not want to keep Ekey. If you didn't hear, Threloff and Upshaw are also transferring, mostly because they were given a nudge from the program. Ekey was a solid contributor up until this past year. He just wasn't his normal self this year and a big part of that was he was not being used to best suit his abilities. He does not fit into this new system that Muller had success with at Vandy and is now trying to implement at ISU. He is known nationwide for his recruiting under Stallings that brought Vanderbilt to SEC relevance in recent years and with the caliber of recruits we have coming in, I don't have a problem with him getting rid of some ill-fitting pieces. It is clear that he is just trying to get a younger team that he can shape into playing his system. It's not about winning next year immediately. As many have not-so-subtly stated on here, the program is going into a rebuilding mode. And that means getting rid of players that don't fit the mold for the future. Muller simply wants his recruits playing his system, and I wish Jon the best of luck in the future, but I don't have a problem. I have faith in Muller, time will tell if that is off-base or not.

[shoxrox]

It's too bad not everyone can be grumpy like your students.

That pretty much made zero sense. I guess the rest of the fanbase doesn't represent that well either.

I've always wondered why BU and SIU, among other fans really had such a detest for Illinois State and they said it was because of their fans. I finally see that now.

Easily the most vocal and ignorant fanbase with the least to back up. One could only imagine how deplorable they would be if they actually won games or hardware.

[isuredbirds92]

It's too bad not everyone can be grumpy like your students.

That pretty much made zero sense. I guess the rest of the fanbase doesn't represent that well either.

I've always wondered why BU and SIU, among other fans really had such a detest for Illinois State and they said it was because of their fans. I finally see that now.

Easily the most vocal and ignorant fanbase with the least to back up. One could only imagine how deplorable they would be if they actually won games or hardware.

I'll never understand the arrogance displayed by shocker fans. You act like everyone else is beneath you. Like we should all bow down and kiss the ring that doesn't exist.

[IllinoisState]

It's too bad not everyone can be grumpy like your students.

That pretty much made zero sense. I guess the rest of the fanbase doesn't represent that well either.

I've always wondered why BU and SIU, among other fans really had such a detest for Illinois State and they said it was because of their fans. I finally see that now.

Easily the most vocal and ignorant fanbase with the least to back up. One could only imagine how deplorable they would be if they actually won games or hardware.

I'll never understand the arrogance displayed by shocker fans. You act like everyone else is beneath you. Like we should all bow down and kiss the ring that doesn't exist.

Some people just want to feel better.

[shocktheheart]

It's too bad not everyone can be grumpy like your students.

That pretty much made zero sense. I guess the rest of the fanbase doesn't represent that well either.

I've always wondered why BU and SIU, among other fans really had such a detest for Illinois State and they said it was because of their fans. I finally see that now.

Easily the most vocal and ignorant fanbase with the least to back up. One could only imagine how deplorable they would be if they actually won games or hardware.

I'll never understand the arrogance displayed by shocker fans. You act like everyone else is beneath you. Like we should all bow down and kiss the ring that doesn't exist.

Final four ring, NIT championship ring, Valley championship ring....you take your pick