I don't think we need a recitation of the bad luck, some self-inflicted and some not, that the Pokes have had during the second Shyatt era. Can we for a moment just concur that there has been plenty of it, and that it has made a difference?
With that said, I don't know the last time I saw a MWC tournament bracket set up so favorably. We're on the other side of the draw from UNLV, and I don't care if they're down or not, they are always tough on their home court in March.
We're also on the other side from SDSU, which is the only team I really worry about us matching up with from a physical standpoint. I know our guys want another shot at them at full strength. Saturday afternoon would be a perfect time to get it.
If I was going to pick two teams I don't mind playing in the quarters and semis it would be Utah State and Boise. I think last Wednesday showed we can handle the Utah State zone. We handled it so well that by the second half they abandoned it. I know they smacked us on the road but I really believe that game was an outlier and that the Cowboys let the crowd get on top of them from the opening tip. That game was so different from all of the rest we saw before the mono that I don't put a lot of stock in it.
If we make it into the semis against Boise I like our chances. A lot. I think Adams can check Marks. And if you take Marks away from Boise they don't have a lot under the hood unless Webb goes off. This Cowboys team has had some good success against Boise, winning on the road there last year. We handled Boise in Laramie this season. I think we can do it again in Las Vegas. I also think it's helpful that we only played them once this year.
If we get to the championship game, likely against SDSU, anything can and will happen. That will be an absolute war and one I look forward to watching.
To sum up:
1. Nance looks to be getting back to full health. With Larry at full go we are the best team in the league.
2. The bracket - finally - sets up great for us. We got the best draw we could have asked for.
3. Shyatt is the best floor coach in the conference.
4. We are coming in under the radar. How many times have we seen a team come into the tournament as the consensus 'Please Don't Let Us Play Against Them' outfit? We're finally that team. I guarantee no one wants to play Wyoming in a one and done scenario.
5. We are by God due.
This is going to be a great couple weeks for Wyoming basketball. We'll be talking about them ten years from now.
With that said, I don't know the last time I saw a MWC tournament bracket set up so favorably. We're on the other side of the draw from UNLV, and I don't care if they're down or not, they are always tough on their home court in March.
We're also on the other side from SDSU, which is the only team I really worry about us matching up with from a physical standpoint. I know our guys want another shot at them at full strength. Saturday afternoon would be a perfect time to get it.
If I was going to pick two teams I don't mind playing in the quarters and semis it would be Utah State and Boise. I think last Wednesday showed we can handle the Utah State zone. We handled it so well that by the second half they abandoned it. I know they smacked us on the road but I really believe that game was an outlier and that the Cowboys let the crowd get on top of them from the opening tip. That game was so different from all of the rest we saw before the mono that I don't put a lot of stock in it.
If we make it into the semis against Boise I like our chances. A lot. I think Adams can check Marks. And if you take Marks away from Boise they don't have a lot under the hood unless Webb goes off. This Cowboys team has had some good success against Boise, winning on the road there last year. We handled Boise in Laramie this season. I think we can do it again in Las Vegas. I also think it's helpful that we only played them once this year.
If we get to the championship game, likely against SDSU, anything can and will happen. That will be an absolute war and one I look forward to watching.
To sum up:
1. Nance looks to be getting back to full health. With Larry at full go we are the best team in the league.
2. The bracket - finally - sets up great for us. We got the best draw we could have asked for.
3. Shyatt is the best floor coach in the conference.
4. We are coming in under the radar. How many times have we seen a team come into the tournament as the consensus 'Please Don't Let Us Play Against Them' outfit? We're finally that team. I guarantee no one wants to play Wyoming in a one and done scenario.
5. We are by God due.
This is going to be a great couple weeks for Wyoming basketball. We'll be talking about them ten years from now.
