There are two proposals before the state legislature right now that would help not just men's basketball in the competitive world we live in, but every sport on campus.
For those who truly want to see Cowboys athletics not just maintain but grow it would be wise to talk your to state senator and state representative and let them know how strongly you feel about the need for the state to support both the increase to the budget to accommodate new recruiting/scholarship rules and also the constrcution of the high altitude training center.
On a more immediate issue, yes depth is an issue. There is no short cut to creating that depth. And there was no short cut into making Wyoming basketball relevant to recruits again. The mess Shyatt inherited was abysmal.
Nance's class, remember, was his first recruiting class.
In the initial years Shyatt did take some transfers to try and provide some help. We did have a few junior college players and some players from other schools to try and patch holes. The trasnfer route, however, doesn't build long-term class depth.
Last year and this year the recruiting classes have been much more focused on a long term base.
Based off what people from outside the program say about this year's class -- people who make a living evaluating recruiting -- the class that is signed and will enroll next year is the most talented across the board Wyoming may have ever attracted.
There won't be a Larry Nance. There are't many of him, but the overall talent is spread out well and there is every reason to feel things will be more competitive.
We will have a short fall with the senior class next year. That's part of the price that is paid for trying to build from the ashes left behind by Shyatt's predecessor, but look at the roster construction for next year. The Cowboys will be young but they will start to have size that we have not had and with Washington and Conway we will have point guards who will make Jaydee Luster look slow.
there is a future and it will be bright.
2015-16
Seniors
G Josh Adams, 6-2, 210
Juniors
G JasonMcManamen, 6-5, 195 (redshirt)
G Morris Marshall, 6-4, 185 (junior college transfer)
Sophomores
G Alexander Aka Gorski, 6-5, 210
C Jonahtan Barnes 6-10, 240
F Alan Herndon, 6-9, 205 (redshirt)
G Jeremy Lieberman, 6-1, 175
G Trey Washington II, 5-11, 185 (redshirt)
Freshman
F Tyrell Williams, 6-8, 225 (red shirt)
G Austin Conway, 5-10, 165
G Justin James, 6-7, 180
F Andrew Moemeka, 6-8, 200
F Jordan Naughton, 6-9, 220
Conway chose Wyoming over Indiana, Nebraska and Rice.
James' offers included Mississippi State, Florida Gulf Coast and George Mason.
Moemeka had 10 Division I offers and committed in August, limiting further interst of other schools.
Naughton also committed Aug. 7. He was offered by Tulsa and a friend, who runs a recruiting services, said he is the most under the radar player he has seen in California in some time.
None of these makes the last two games anymore enjoyable. But there are times we need to step back and look at the big picture, remember where we were and look at where we appear to be headed.
For those who truly want to see Cowboys athletics not just maintain but grow it would be wise to talk your to state senator and state representative and let them know how strongly you feel about the need for the state to support both the increase to the budget to accommodate new recruiting/scholarship rules and also the constrcution of the high altitude training center.
On a more immediate issue, yes depth is an issue. There is no short cut to creating that depth. And there was no short cut into making Wyoming basketball relevant to recruits again. The mess Shyatt inherited was abysmal.
Nance's class, remember, was his first recruiting class.
In the initial years Shyatt did take some transfers to try and provide some help. We did have a few junior college players and some players from other schools to try and patch holes. The trasnfer route, however, doesn't build long-term class depth.
Last year and this year the recruiting classes have been much more focused on a long term base.
Based off what people from outside the program say about this year's class -- people who make a living evaluating recruiting -- the class that is signed and will enroll next year is the most talented across the board Wyoming may have ever attracted.
There won't be a Larry Nance. There are't many of him, but the overall talent is spread out well and there is every reason to feel things will be more competitive.
We will have a short fall with the senior class next year. That's part of the price that is paid for trying to build from the ashes left behind by Shyatt's predecessor, but look at the roster construction for next year. The Cowboys will be young but they will start to have size that we have not had and with Washington and Conway we will have point guards who will make Jaydee Luster look slow.
there is a future and it will be bright.
2015-16
Seniors
G Josh Adams, 6-2, 210
Juniors
G JasonMcManamen, 6-5, 195 (redshirt)
G Morris Marshall, 6-4, 185 (junior college transfer)
Sophomores
G Alexander Aka Gorski, 6-5, 210
C Jonahtan Barnes 6-10, 240
F Alan Herndon, 6-9, 205 (redshirt)
G Jeremy Lieberman, 6-1, 175
G Trey Washington II, 5-11, 185 (redshirt)
Freshman
F Tyrell Williams, 6-8, 225 (red shirt)
G Austin Conway, 5-10, 165
G Justin James, 6-7, 180
F Andrew Moemeka, 6-8, 200
F Jordan Naughton, 6-9, 220
Conway chose Wyoming over Indiana, Nebraska and Rice.
James' offers included Mississippi State, Florida Gulf Coast and George Mason.
Moemeka had 10 Division I offers and committed in August, limiting further interst of other schools.
Naughton also committed Aug. 7. He was offered by Tulsa and a friend, who runs a recruiting services, said he is the most under the radar player he has seen in California in some time.
None of these makes the last two games anymore enjoyable. But there are times we need to step back and look at the big picture, remember where we were and look at where we appear to be headed.
