Head coach Mark Turgeon guided his Wichita State Shockers
to a solid 26-9 overall record in 2005-2006, including an
impressive 14-4 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference
Wichita State Men’s Basketball
Wichita State opened the 2005-2006 season with three
straight wins, defeating Panhandle St 83-55, Texas Southern
86-54 and Texas Pan American 97-66, before losing by
one point to Illinois 55-54 in the South Padre Island
Invitational in Texas.
Aided strong performances by Paul Miller, Kyle Wilson,
Sean Ogirri, Matt Braeuer, PJ Couisnard and Karon Bradley
things started looking good for the Wichita St Shockers.
Four straight wins before an away loss to Michigan State
and another string of 4 wins put Wichita State at 11-2.
Momentum started to build for family, friends and players.
However, two Missouri Valley Conference losses let
some of the air out of the high hopes. Southern Illinois
inflicted pain with a 58-49 win and Northern Iowa defeated
the Shockers 75-61 in the Charles Koch Arena.
A hard practice and a ‘let’s play hard and win games talk’
by coach Mark Turegon seemed to be what the team needed.
Leading the resurgence of Wichita State was fifth year senior
center Paul Miller. Six straight wins followed! And, Charles
Koch Arena was selling out.
A 57-55 loss on 1-28-2006 to conference rival, Creighton, was
followed by 5 more wins and 2 losses. At the end of the regular
season Wichita State record stood at 24-8. And, for the first time
since 1988 they were heading to the NCAA Postseason
Tournament.
2006 NCAA Tournament:
A team effort produced a solid 86-66 win over Seton Hall.
Then, playing before 22,809 fans, Wichita State defeated
Tennessee 80-73 on March 18 2006.
Sweet 16 Tourney Time… A 63-55 loss to George Mason
ended Wichita State thrilling 2005-2006 season.
Paul Miller was voted the Missouri Valley Conference
Player of the Year and Mark Turgeon won the MVC
Coach of the Year Award
Team Effort put Wichita State in Sweet 16 in 2006
Ever since Mark Turgeon has become the coach of
the Wichita State basketball team everyone associated with
the Shockers has expected the team to return to the
success of the late 1980s when they last played in the
NCAA postseason tourney.
As last season unfolded the talk of the college basketball
world was the success of the Missouri Valley Conference.
How were four men’s MVC basketball teams able to get
invited to the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Bradley University
and Wichita State certainly proved they were worthy,
both advanced to the Sweet 16.
Speaking strictly of the Wichita State Shockers we can
attest to the fact that a total team effort produced a winning
season. Head coach Mark Turgeon, along with assistants
Mike Rohn and Alvin Williamson, played a major role
in stressing good solid fundamental basketball.
Wichita State men’s basketball produced a Missouri Valley
Conference record of 14-4, including an 8-1 home record
in Charles Koch Arena. Overall the team was 26-9.
The 2005-2006 season was the first time since 1988 that
Wichita State made it to the NCAA postseason tourney.
An 86-66 victory over Seton Hall gave Wichita State a much
deserved uplift. Family, friends, fans and players were
delighted when Wichita State rose to the occasion by
defeating Tennessee 80 to 73. However, a 63-53 loss to
George Mason was hard to take. George Mason made it
to the Final Four before losing.
The last five years Wichita State has improved every year.
Wins coming in with 15, 18, 21, 22 and 26.
Coach Mark Turgeon was voted MVC Coach of the Year.
Paul Miller won AP honorable mention All American
and MVP Player of the Year Award.
2005-2006 Wichita State Men’s Basketball
Players and Scoring average:
Paul Miller center 13.1, Sean Ogirri guard 12.0, Kyle Wilson
Forward 11.3, PJ Couisnard g/f 10.2, Karon Bradley guard 8.0,
Matt Braeuer guard 5.4
Ryan Martin forward 5.5, Jared Young 4.3, Wendell Preadon
guard 1.0, Gabe Barnes 1.0, Nick Rogers 0.8, Cameron
Ledford 0.7, Ryan Bradley c/f 0.7
Wichita State Basketball by basketballhistorian.com
