John Ekey leaving Illinois State

[isuredbirds92]

I sincerely apologize for all of the hate I've been throwing WSU's way. Although I am a definite hater of Marshall as a man, I do recognize that he is a very good coach and I respect what WSU has done under him. I tend to take things as personal insults when I know it's just a basketball discussion. However, when people simply attack me for a misstatement, it is very disrespectful. I really am not trying to troll on here, I really think that some of my statements were taken the wrong way or whatever and that escalated things. I have heard multiple people say that Ekey was not offered a scholarship. I'm not going to comment on that any further. Anyways, I would like to comment on what Muller's type of player is. He has said since the start here that he is a defense first kind of coach, which deviates from Jank's style. From the recruits he has been going for, it seems that he is looking for quick, athletic players, even if that means giving up a little size. I really believe he is going to do some good things here in the long-run. Let's not forget, last year WAS his first year as a head coach, and I'm sure he is still learning. It's possible that he made the decision that giving a scholarship to Ekey was not in the best interest, even though that is probably a mistake. I have a feeling it was kind of a mutual decision. Again, I apologize for my actions.

[2livewu]

Solid post.

I would say with some confidence that Ekey is a better offensive player than a defensive player, so that makes sense, even though he would without much question, be a better overall player than pretty much anyone the Birds are bringing for next year. But if it was mutual, then hey, better for all involved.

[45otseoj]

I hear this a lot, but what exactly is "Muller's type of player" and why does Ekey not fit into that description and why do random juco players fit into that description?

Someone committed to play for him.

[rlh04d]

I sincerely apologize for all of the hate I've been throwing WSU's way. Although I am a definite hater of Marshall as a man, I do recognize that he is a very good coach and I respect what WSU has done under him. I tend to take things as personal insults when I know it's just a basketball discussion. However, when people simply attack me for a misstatement, it is very disrespectful. I really am not trying to troll on here

Some of that was my fault. I mixed up your name with 2003's when you started going into similar shots at WSU on page 4. Before that, while your statements were incorrect, they weren't trolling, and I'm sorry for mixing you two up. After reading back over your comments, I was wrong to insult you.

I have heard multiple people say that Ekey was not offered a scholarship. I'm not going to comment on that any further.

I sincerely hope you're wrong, because if it's true that he ran Ekey off by refusing to renew his scholarship, he's a dirtbag. And whatever you deem worthy of "hating" about Marshall doesn't even hold a candle to that ... Marshall would not strip a scholarship off a senior for no reason. He wouldn't play him, but he'd still have a scholarship.

Let's not forget, last year WAS his first year as a head coach, and I'm sure he is still learning.

You can't judge a coach off one year. I said he wasn't a "Coach of the Year," because he's not ... that doesn't mean he won't eventually become one. I have no particular clue what his coaching ability is -- although he did take a team that was predicted to be #2 in conference and take them to #6.

[shocktheheart]

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

Getting to the Final four is not a championship. Sorry to burst your bubble. I could maybe understand the arrogance if you were a fan of North Carolina, or Duke or Kansas. Or just a school that had won ONE national championship. But you haven't, and you aren't the slightest bit more relevant on a national scale than anyone else in the league. So, I just don't get it.

So WSU isn't more relevant than Evansville, Indiana St., or anyone else in this league by going to the Final 4? I hope you don't really believe that.

[CaliRdBrd]

An 8 page thread on Jon Ekey - amazing!

[isuredbirds92]

Getting to the Final four is not a championship. Sorry to burst your bubble. I could maybe understand the arrogance if you were a fan of North Carolina, or Duke or Kansas. Or just a school that had won ONE national championship. But you haven't, and you aren't the slightest bit more relevant on a national scale than anyone else in the league. So, I just don't get it.

So WSU isn't more relevant than Evansville, Indiana St., or anyone else in this league by going to the Final 4? I hope you don't really believe that.

I did mention somewhere that yes, they are more relevant right now. But unless they take this momentum and turn it into something, like VCU and Butler have done, they will fall right back into the obscurity of the mid majors.

[shocktheheart]

Getting to the Final four is not a championship. Sorry to burst your bubble. I could maybe understand the arrogance if you were a fan of North Carolina, or Duke or Kansas. Or just a school that had won ONE national championship. But you haven't, and you aren't the slightest bit more relevant on a national scale than anyone else in the league. So, I just don't get it.

So WSU isn't more relevant than Evansville, Indiana St., or anyone else in this league by going to the Final 4? I hope you don't really believe that.

I did mention somewhere that yes, they are more relevant right now. But unless they take this momentum and turn it into something, like VCU and Butler have done, they will fall right back into the obscurity of the mid majors.

I would agree with that and as long as Marshall is in charge I'm confident that he will keep WSU relevant on a national level.

[Wufan]

An 8 page thread on Jon Ekey - amazing!

This thread turned away from Ekey pretty early on. Ekey just happens to be the subtext of the argument between a handful of ISUr and WSU fans. If it wan't Ekey, it'd be something else, but since it's the off season…

[kochhead22]

Since everything seems to get off topic, i do like to venture over to the Redbirdfan.net site and read during and after the season. Everytime i go over to their discussion board i see the advertisement for D.P Dough, i'd just like to know if i ever make a visit up to Normal for a game is it worth stopping in for a calzone there??