ESPN Men's Basketball

Utah State fans might not be in the best of moods after BYU chose not to join them as rivals in the WAC, but let's keep some perspective here.

Their fearless leader, superfan "Wild" Bill Sproat, is out of the hospital now after suffering through a serious episodewith an enlarged heart. Apparently, he's ready to give up his big body for the sake of a few missed free throws once again, blogging that he'll attend games even if he has to come in a wheelchair.

In the entry, Sproat wrote that even through the worst of his hospital stay, it was so important to express his Aggie pride that he couldn't hide his distaste for BYU.

My heart stopped and I had no pulse for seven minutes. After a few minutes of CPR, right before they were about to hit me with the defibrillator, I woke up and the first thing out of my mouth was, "there better not be any BYU fans in here, if so I think I'd rather die!" That gave the doctors and nurses a little shock. I really don't hate BYU, I just don't think they should be allowed to breathe the same air as the rest of us.

As for Sproat's thoughts on expansion that has seemingly left the WAC reeling? Let's just say the conference has found its new cheerleader.

I am not worried, the WAC has something MWC will never have … ME!

Bill Sproat, the big Utah State superfan who has been hospitalized with heart complications, is feeling well enough to talk again after spending nearly a week under sedation, according to the Deseret News.

Sproat said doctors removed a breathing tube on Thursday as he came out of sedation and he's now enjoying a diet of soft foods like mashed potatoes and popsicles while he eases back to health.

After Sproat was hospitalized, friends and fans have expressed wishes through text messages and on the Internet. A Facebook page "Prayers for Wild Bill" has nearly 500 members and is updated with news from family members on a frequent basis.

"I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate them," Sproat said. "It really means a lot to me that they're giving me so much support."

Opposing free-throw shooters who play in the Spectrum next season should still be wary of the presence of "Wild" Bill's ability to distract. Sproat told the paper that while he plans on using the fall semester for recovery time rather than enroll in classes, he's still looking forward to attending games.

And won't that be a sight to see when Sproat lights up an entire arena once again.

Bill Sproat, the Utah State student whose costumes and shirtless antics have earned him recognition as Utah State basketball's biggest fan, has been hospitalized due to heart complications, according to the Cache Valley Daily.

Recruits considering Utah State are often quoted as being the drawn to the program due to its fans, and "Wild" Bill has been the unofficial face of the Aggies' imposing home-court advantage at the Spectrum. It is college basketball's human free throw distraction who could now use some support.

Sproat's family issued a statement Wednesday night on his blog:

"We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we have received. Your cards and prayers mean so much to Bill and our family. We will continue to post updates on Bill’s condition on Facebook and his blog, however, we ask that you allow us to focus our energy and attention on taking care of Bill. We regret that we will not be able to accept visitors or media inquiries at the hospital at this time. Please direct all communication to Lacy Broberg at la.broberg@aggiemail.usu.edu. Thank you again for all your love and support."