3-0 in Canada.

Unselfish play keys WSU trip to Canada
BY PAUL SUELLENTROP
The Wichita Eagle

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Forget about the new guys for a minute, because intriguing as they are, they will only be as successful as the old guys allow.

That should be no problem. Delay conclusions on Wichita State's basketball season until the Shockers play real games. However, it does appear the 10 days of practice and three exhibition games confirmed that the Shockers are willing to play the kind of unselfish, ego-free basketball that carried them to the Missouri Valley Conference title and NCAA Tournament last season.

"Coach beats that into our head," WSU senior Ryan Martin said. "Guys that are back from last year, we already know what coach expects. It's just getting the new guys accustomed to how we play."

The Shockers were not always perfect in victories over Simon Fraser (87-62) and Trinity Western (92-63) on Saturday and British Columbia (72-66) on Sunday. But their eagerness to pass up mostly open shots to get a teammate a totally open one stood out. The Shockers spent a lot of time trying to make their teammates look good.

Saturday night, forward Phil Thomasson turned down a short jumper to throw crosscourt to P.J. Couisnard, who had an open three from the wing. Couisnard passed to the top of the key, and the ball made its way to the opposite wing, then inside to Thomasson, who was fouled. That was typical for the Shockers, whether it was junior Matt Braeuer or freshman Gal Mekel on the fast break, or Couisnard or Kyle Wilson reversing the ball around the perimeter. The Shockers forced some shots and got wild with some passes, but never for long periods.

"They are extremely well coached and a very disciplined team," British Columbia coach Kevin Hanson said.

That showed up even late in blowouts, when WSU coach Mark Turgeon tried to run plays for walk-ons David King and Derek Brown. Reserve guard Wendell Preadom and center Ryan Bradley got the same treatment at other times. Kyle Wilson led WSU in scoring twice, Martin once. Four other Shockers reached double figures at least once in the three games and Mekel and Preadom each topped out at nine.

WSU junior Sean Ogirri calls that attitude his favorite part of the August practice sessions.

"Everyone's unselfish," he said last week. "No one really cares who scores. Everyone's just playing as well as they can and as hard as they can. That's what made us Wichita State."


WHAT'S NEXT???

BACKCOURT
WSU coach Mark Turgeon has many options in his backcourt. Matt Braeuer looked fast and in charge and he shot well in Canada. Sean Ogirri did not shoot well, but that will not last. Karon Bradley only played one game, but he is a known quantity. Unknown quantities Gal Mekel and Wendell Preadom showed enough. Mekel is a lot like a running back who has not learned to follow his blockers. He will make fewer mistakes when he grows more patient.

FRONTCOURT
The frontcourt situation is not as settled, and that is where decisions await. The Shockers are small, and that showed up at times in Canada when they allowed opponents to rebound and score inside.
Seniors Kyle Wilson and Ryan Martin are set. They are both experienced and both play hard. Wilson's offense will be more important this season without Paul Miller around, and he should be ready. What's not to love about Martin? He hustles on every play, digs for rebounds and plays smart. Turgeon made sure to play P.J. Couisnard at the power forward spot, because he may be needed.
Junior Phil Thomasson looked comfortable in Canada, and should step in right away. However, he hasn't done it over the grind of the season. Neither has sophomore Ryan Bradley, who looked improved in Canada. This is likely where the redshirt decision comes in. How many of the three freshmen big men can help this season? Does Turgeon go with Arbry Butler, an athletic shot blocker? J.T. Durley and his inside scoring? Or Chris Brown, who can a little of everything, and is probably the best outside shooter of the group?