16 WICHITA STATE

A challenging schedule won't faze the seasoned Shockers and their self-assured swingman

For a primeexample of poise under pressure, look no further than P.J. Couisnard'sperformance during the Shockers' upset of second-seeded Tennessee in the NCAAtournament. Besides leading the team in points (20), rebounds (nine) andassists (five), Couisnard (left) shot 6 for 7 from the field and had thepresence of mind to repeatedly point to his parents in the stands so that theymight get on TV. "His personality is as good as his playing ability,"coach Mark Turgeon says. "P.J. does it all--and he doesn't get rattled. Hewants to be in big situations."

A 6'4"junior, Couisnard is what Turgeon calls "a point-three." Couisnard'sspeed and versatility will be even more valuable as the Shockers shift to anup-tempo style after the graduation of 6'10" center Paul Miller, theMissouri Valley Conference player of the year. "For two years all we didwas come down the court and find out how to get Paul the ball," Turgeonsays. "Last year we were first in the league in field goal defense, but ifwe have to give up some of those percentage points to get more steals andlayups, we'll do it."

Wichita Statehas the shooting to make defenses pay: Junior guard Sean Ogirri and seniorcenter Kyle Wilson combined to hit 43.6% of their three-pointers last season.It is a measure of Turgeon's confidence that he put together a schedule thatincludes road games against two of last year's Final Four teams, George Masonand LSU. That means the Shockers will find themselves under more pressure thisseason. "I like the high expectations," Couisnard says. "I feellike we can live up to them."

STARTINGLINEUP
COACH: Mark Turgeon (7th year)

5'11"Jr.5.4 ppg2.7 apg--KEY RESERVE-- G Karon BRADLEY 5'11" Sr. 8.0 ppg 1.6 apg

RETURNINGSTARTER

SCHEDULE

Nov. 11Rockhurst

Nov. 14 ChicagoState

Nov. 18 atGeorge Mason

Nov. 25 atLSU

Nov. 29 UMKC

Dec. 2 atSyracuse

Dec. 9 atWyoming

Dec. 17 MarylandEastern Shore*

Dec. 19 KennesawState*

Dec. 22 NewMexico†

Dec. 30 NorthernIowa

Jan. 1 atSouthern Illinois

Jan. 4Bradley

Jan. 7 atMissouri State

Jan. 10 atIndiana State

Jan. 13Evansville

Jan. 15Creighton

Jan. 18 atIllinois State

Jan. 20 atBradley

Jan. 24Drake

Jan. 27 atEvansville

Jan. 30 atNorthern Iowa

Feb. 3 SouthernIllinois

Feb. 8 IndianaState

Feb. 11 IllinoisState

Feb. 14 atDrake

Feb. 17 TBA‡

Feb. 20 MissouriState

Feb. 24 atCreighton

*Las VegasHoliday Classic (Wichita) †Las Vegas Holiday Classic ‡ESPN Bracket Buster

ILLUSTRATION

PHOTO

JOHN BIEVER