Anticipation — if not downright madness — is building as Wichita State's 2004-05 men's basketball season approaches.
"We have a really good RPI schedule," head coach Mark Turgeon says. "We are playing enough good teams that if we perform well through the season it will help us when it comes down to NCAA selection."
WSU plays five 2004 NCAA tournament qualifiers, including Eastern Washington in the regular-season opener Nov. 20. EWU went 0-1 with a NCAA opening-round loss to Oklahoma State.
WSU then makes the Bracket Busters return trip, Nov. 27, to Austin Peay, a team the Shockers defeated 62-47 in their inaugural Bracket Busters appearance in 2003-04. APU, as well as MVC member Creighton went 0-1 in the 2004 postseason NIT.
Wichita State then plays host to San Francisco on Dec. 1. WSU last played the Dons during the 1981-82 season and holds a 3-4 record in series play.
The Shockers open Missouri Valley Conference play Dec. 8 at Drake, which marks the earliest conference opener since WSU joined the league in 1945, and then travel to the University of Tulsa, WSU's oldest rival, for the 120th meeting in the series.
The conference schedule also features NCAA qualifiers Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa.
WSU travels to Providence College Dec. 11 to play the Friars and later takes on 2004 NCAA qualifier Texas-San Antonio, to start a four-game home stretch over Christmas break that also features UMKC, Evansville and Manhattan (N.Y.), which posted a NCAA first-round win against Florida before losing to Wake Forest.
— WSU Sports Information
Shocker Watch Parties
Fox and Hound Pub & Grille is the official site for Shocker watch parties, which are sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association. Fox and Hound has set aside a special room for Shocker fans and alumni — and offers Shocker food and drink specials during the games.
7:05, Sat., Nov. 27 v. Austin Peay
7:05, Wed., Dec. 8 v. Drake
6:30, Sat., Dec. 11 v. Providence
7:05, Sat., Dec. 18 v. Tulsa
7:05, Sun., Jan. 8 v. SWMS
1:05, Sat., Jan 15 v. Indiana State
7:05, Mon., Jan. 17 v. Evansville
7:05, Mon., Jan. 24 v. Northern Iowa
7:05, Tue., Feb. 1 v. Creighton
7:05, Thu., Feb. 10 v. Illinois State
7:05, Sat., Feb. 12 v. Bradley
TBA, Sat., Feb. 26 v. Southern Illinois
