16 WICHITA STATE
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