I sometimes wonder how Marshall's first year here would have ended up if Griskenas and Brauer hadn't sustained the injuries they did that season. Probably not much worse than McDermott's first year at CU. I remember it looking like they would be a play in team for a while that season. Coaching changes typically cause a blip. That might explain some of IlSU's early struggles this season.
The last four years, WSU has finished:
2009-10 - 2nd place Valley finish, NIT appearance
2010-11 - 2nd place Valley finish, NIT championship
2011-12 - 1st place Valley finish, NCAA appearance
2012-13 - will finish 1st place in Valley with one more Valley win, likely NCAA appearance
Those are four successful seasons in my book, not two. Right now, unless Marshall leaves, I anticipate WSU to continue to be one of the top Valley programs.