This Saturday the Wyoming men’s basketball team takes on the Colorado State Rams in a Border War rivalry game on the road.
Below, the Branding Iron sports staff weighs in on the matchup:
Adam Croft
acroft2@uwyo.edu
What a difference a week makes. The Pokes, who were formerly riding high on a three-game winning streak, are now scrambling to fill the hole left by Larry Nance Jr.’s season-ending injury.
Nance’s injury will likely drive a lot of critics to count the Pokes out in this game, but I think that might be a bit premature. After all, they did manage to handle the last chunk of the Fresno State game with their leader out just fine.
Head coach Larry Shyatt said at the beginning of the season that he loved the fact that this team has never had a “go to guy” and that is exactly what they will have to rely on going forward.
I think they will excel. They have something to prove now.
Look for Nathan Sobey to continue his hot streak on Saturday as he attempts to fill the scoring void left by Nance. Matt Sellers should also see significant minutes for the first time all season if the Cowboys choose not to run a four-guard lineup.
The Cowboys are going to have to come together to grab a win Saturday. I think that they are more than capable.
Prediction: Colorado State 58, Wyoming 62
John Denega
jdenega@uwyo.edu
Wyoming’s lack of interior depth will really show in this one as it looks like they will start out with a four guard lineup which includes redshirt senior guard Jerron Granberry.
The only proven big man for the Cowboys is junior forward Derek Cooke Jr. who has, on occasion, gotten into foul trouble and seen a lot of the bench as a result. If Cooke gets into foul trouble or fatigued, the Cowboys will either go to a five guard lineup that includes redshirt junior guard Charles Hankerson Jr. or they will have to bring in some inexperienced front court players who very rarely ever play. Will it be redshirt junior center Matt Sellers or sophomore forward Austin Haldorson?
Wyoming, which has been consistently beaten on the boards this year, will have to rebound by committee without Nance.
With the Cowboys being on the road, in a hostile environment, versus their rivals, who are looking to end their losing streak, I can not see how they pull of a victory. In fact I do not even think this one will be close.
Prediction: Colorado State 78, Wyoming 54
Kendyll Ferrall
kferral1@uwyo.edu
The Cowboys already had their work cutout for them heading into the 220th Border War against Colorado State before their roster received a major blow. Now that junior forward Larry Nance Jr.’s season is over, the odds may have just swayed in the Rams’ favor.
Tuesday afternoon it might have been to Wyoming’s advantage that their on-the-road conference record is tied with Colorado’s at-home conference record at 3-4, but now that may not matter to a team that just lost their leading rebounder, considering they have been out rebounded in 12 of their last 13 games.
Aside from the absence left by the team’s starting forward, the Cowboys still have a chance against the 9th ranked team in the Mountain West. Wyoming is a fighting team that scratches and claws for every victory. They perform well when faced with adversity and even better when they are underestimated.
Nance’s void is unfortunate, but not detrimental. If the Cowboys can reorganize, refocus and play like the solid team that they are, they should be able to add a fourth win to their current streak.
Prediction: Wyoming 58, Colorado State 55
