Now that basketball season has finally come to an end, allow me to fill you in on something.
Bob Huggins owns you.
He's owned you since Jan. 17 when he criticized fans for not filling the seats at Bramlage Coliseum following K-State's 69-60 win over Baylor.
When Huggins arrived in Manhattan last March, he promised to build a winning team at K-State. After fans scooped up just about every seat prior to the season, it was assumed they would make sure Huggins played to a near-capacity arena every night. It's only fair, right?
Only that didn't happen at first.
For some reason, fans didn't find Cleveland State, Tennessee Tech and Maryland Eastern Shore to be compelling non-conference matchups. Once Big 12 Conference play began, fans didn't seem too pumped about Baylor, either.
And so, Huggins started playing hard-to-get and began complaining about the empty seats. The belief was if fans didn't fill the seats, Huggins would go to a school where they would. After all, if he's going to make K-State basketball a winner again, it's the least fans can do.
Soon enough, fans responded - and if you remember, his criticisms came during his post-game radio show, where he made the "Bennettville" comment. It was at that point Huggins won over the fans, and they pledged their undying support.
That support helped carry K-State to 23 wins, a fourth-place Big 12 finish and a spot in the postseason for the first time since 1999. Now, Huggins wants that support to spill over into the offseason, as signing day looms ahead. In other words, he wants you to look the other way.
The news hit earlier this month that Tyree Evans, a talented, yet allegedly troubled young man from Virginia, had made a verbal commitment to K-State. When Huggins was coach at Cincinnati, Evans planned to join the team in 2004 but was denied because of grades.
Upon arriving at K-State, Huggins immediately wanted to bring Evans to Manhattan, but Evans' questionable background, which included a statutory rape charge, slowed the process. Prior to the case being decided, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Weiser said the Wildcats were no longer interested in pursuing Evans.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
Mike S.
posted 3/27/07 @ 8:52 AM CST
If last season proved anything, it's that Huggins doesn't need superior talent to win. Offering a scholarship to Evans, who has questionable issues on and off the court, would be risky. (Continued…)
HugginsFan
posted 3/27/07 @ 11:50 AM CST
Please point to actions where Bob Huggins is asking Fans to "look the other way". To the contrary, if a recruit of such scrutiny as Tyree Evans is invited in by Huggins and the University, isn't Huggins indeed saying "look what we are doing, expressing loyalty, and giving the young man a chance". (Continued…)
Luke
posted 3/27/07 @ 2:06 PM CST
I see nothing wrong with giving Evans a chance. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He did a DNA test that proved he NEVER touched that girl. (Continued…)
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