WooHoo wrote:Mel,
You know I have the utmost respect for Illinois State and especially their fans. They are still second favorite on my list of Valley foes.
There were certain things that I didn't see before from Illinois State that showed up this game. If Jank's style was consistent every time, then that's one thing. But this is the first I've seen of these tactics. Wilkins dirtied the game up in a way I've never even noticed before. There's one thing to fire a team up and play with great intensity. But it's another to start shoving guys in the back and trying to get them in a fist fight 5 minutes into the game. Again, I never noticed this before. I would be much more kind to this type of strategy if it were used on a consistent basis than in a one game showdown. I also didn't really think it was cool for Jank to high-five Wilkins after he was ejected following his second technical. I would think most coaches in that type of situation wouldn't be high-fiving their players after those type of fouls. It wasn't just one, it was two technicals and an ejection. Again, I didn't expect that kind of reaction. That's where I lost respect.
Baller you and I go way back. I think you know how I feel about the Shockers. It's always been positive. A matter of fact, I can't think of a bad exchange I have ever had with them person.
After reading the above, I honestly think you are looking for something that isn't there. If you honestly think that Tim Jankovich's gameplan was let's get technicals and lets rough them up and if you get kicked out of the game because of it, Jank will applaud it.....well maybe Marshall is right there are black helicopters flying overhead.
Jank told the guys not to back down from your big boys. I am sure he told them to be the aggressor. If you saw either of the games we played with you guys in the regular season, you guys were the aggressor. You threw the first punches in those games (figure of speech) and we never fought back.
John Wilkins is no where near a Dennis Rodman type player. His game has always been soft. Last year all he did was hang around the 3 point line. The fact that he didn't back down from Stutz or anyone else, is what Jank applauded. If you think it was for getting kicked out or being dirty (as Jank directed), than you sir do in fact believe in conspiracys.
I could supply you with link after link about how "soft" our team has been this year. How when things get physical we have backed down and started jacking nothing but treys. This year when we hit St. Louis, something clicked first vs. UNI. It's like they grew up and refused to back down. We had been waiting for it all year and it finally came.
After that, Illinois State just played the better game and took it to WSU. They hit big shots and played great defense. They deserved to win.
I was really surprised that WSU didn't adjust to the intensity of the game. Rather than fight back (with effort / intensity), I think you guys got soft and started to whine about the officiaiting. Throw in the fact that you guys have had your "issues" in St. Louis and it all developed into the perfect storm.
