UK Not Best In Kansas?
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by user Dukeboy999
Thats right I said it, University of Kansas is no longer the best basketball program in the state of Kansas. 161 miles down the road, in Wichita, the new basketball capital of Kansas has been born, and it may be the best program east of Arizona and west of the Mississippi. As of a couple years ago, the Jayhawks job was one of the top five in the country. But the Wichita State Shockers coach Mark Turgeon didn't leave for top jobs like Oklahoma, Arizona State, or Nebraska for one reason; hes got the best kept secret in the country. Not to mention the University signed Turgeon to a contract through 2016 for 750,000 a year.
Last year Wichita State won the now very good Missouri Valley Conference, went to the Sweet Sixteen, and beat big time programs Seton Hall and Tennessee on the way. Still want to question whether or not this team has what it takes to be a big time D-1 program? Every big time school needs one thing; fan support. (i.e. Duke, UNC, UConn) Last year 14 of 16 Wichita State home games were sold out. This year every game is sold out and you can't get a ticket without being a donor. The brilliant 10,478 seat stadium was almost full for "Shocker Madness", a WSU basketball festival. Where both teams for the upcoming year are introduced, as well as the hanging of the MVC and Sweet 16 banners. The facilities at WSU rival those of every big time program in the country. The Shockers return all but one starter, although they did lose MVC player of the year Paul Miller. Worried they will have a fall of after losing their best player? Turgeon isn't. They had a strong recruiting class even getting a recruit from Israel over USC. But being the best in the state will be an uphill battle. Kansas landed two five star recruits this year and many believe they have a top ten national class incoming this year. Kansas State also has Bob Huggins and the top recruit in the country in the 2007 class. This year will determine whether WSU becomes a big time program or not. They must prove they were not a one man team with a tougher schedule and a very tough Missouri Valley Conference. Look for the Shockers to get through one round and no more than two in the Tournament again this year. Without an elite recruit or two they wont advance into the deep rounds.
