Wichita State’s long-desired game in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a reality. The Shockers got some help from old friend Jean Prioleau, a former WSU assistant, to land a home-and-home series with TCU. The series opens in Fort Worth on Dec. 8. The Horned Frogs come to Wichita during the 2009-10 season.
The quest for a game in Texas became something close to an obsession under former coach Mark Turgeon, who recruited the state heavily. That desire to play in D-FW or Houston didn’t change under Gregg Marshall. With former Rice assistant Marty Gross on his staff, Marshall continues to hit Texas hard – WSU freshmen David Kyles and Toure Murry are from Texas.
Prince Couisnard (P.J.’s dad) tells stories about chatting up Gross at a Houston’s Starbuck’s for a game to bring the Shockers to town when Gross was at Rice. The Owls had no interest. Neither did Houston, SMU etc., etc.
TCU has a new coach, Jim Christian, and Prioleau is on his staff. Prioleau, who spent five years on Turgeon’s staff, helped make the match.
“He got the ball rolling,” WSU associate athletic director Brian Pracht said.
KGSO is reporting WSU’s scrimmage is against Kansas State, which makes a lot of sense for both sides. In the world of college athletics, it almost makes too much sense. WSU isn’t confirming anything about the scrimmage.
“We have not agreed to anything yet,” Pracht said.
So here is what we know about the non-conference schedule. Only dates are missing for a few games.
Nov. 16 - Florida A&M
Nov. 24 - Centenary
Nov. 27 - Georgetown at Old Spice Classic (ESPN2)
Nov. 28 - Tennessee or Siena at Old Spice Classic
Nov. 30 - Old Spice Classic
Dec. 3 - at Texas Tech
Dec. 8 - at TCU
Dec. 22 - North Dakota
That leaves dates for UMKC, Northern Arizona (both at CKA) and a Bracket Buster game in February. Drafts of the MVC schedule are in the hands of coaches and administrators at the schools. As soon as Creighton, Evansville and Bradley get their concerts, tractor pulls and swap meets arranged at their rental locations, it’s go time.
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[...] esteemed Eagle colleague, Paul Suellentrop, mentions in his blog the possibility of Kansas State playing Wichita State in a men’s basketball scrimmage, much like the Wildcats did the past two seasons against [...]