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To determine the year with the fewest combined wins for the University of Wyoming football team and men’s basketball team over the last 50 years (1975–2024), we need to consider the seasonal records for both programs. The football team’s season typically spans from late summer to early winter (e.g., August to December), while the men’s basketball season runs from late fall to early spring (e.g., November to March), often crossing calendar years. For simplicity, I’ll align the “year” with the football season’s calendar year and pair it with the basketball season that starts in that same year (e.g., 1975 football with the 1975–76 basketball season). This is a common approach for such analyses, though data limitations may require some estimation.
The University of Wyoming football team has competed in NCAA Division I (FBS or its predecessors) and has been part of conferences like the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) until 1998 and the Mountain West Conference (MWC) since 1999. The men’s basketball team, also Division I, has similarly competed in the WAC and MWC, with notable success in the distant past (e.g., 1943 NCAA Championship) but more modest results in recent decades. Over the last 50 years, both teams have experienced fluctuating performance, with football occasionally achieving winning seasons (e.g., under coaches like Joe Tiller or Craig Bohl) and basketball having sporadic strong years (e.g., under coaches like Jim Brandenburg or Steve McClain).
Exact win totals for every year require comprehensive historical records, which are not fully provided here. However, I can estimate based on general trends and key data points from available sources. Football typically plays 11–13 games per season (including bowls), while basketball plays 25–35 games (including postseason). A poor year for football might yield 2–4 wins, and a poor basketball season might yield 5–10 wins, suggesting a low combined total could dip below 10.
Let’s consider some plausible low points:
- **1975**: Football struggled in the mid-1970s under Fred Akers, finishing 2–9 in 1975. Basketball, under George Radovich, went 10–17 in 1975–76. Combined: 2 + 10 = 12 wins.
- **1986**: Football, under Dennis Erickson, went 6–6, but earlier in the decade (e.g., 1985: 3–8) was weaker. Basketball in 1985–86 under Jim Brandenburg went 15–14, but 1986–87 dropped to 14–16. For 1986: 6 + 14 = 20 wins (not the lowest).
- **1999**: Football, transitioning to the MWC under Dana Dimel, went 2–9. Basketball, under Steve McClain, went 14–14 in 1999–2000. Combined: 2 + 14 = 16 wins.
- **2007**: Football, under Joe Glenn, went 5–7. Basketball, under Heath Schroyer, had a dismal 7–21 season in 2007–08. Combined: 5 + 7 = 12 wins.
- **2010**: Football, under Dave Christensen, went 3–9. Basketball, under Heath Schroyer, went 10–21 in 2010–11. Combined: 3 + 10 = 13 wins.
- **2020**: Football, impacted by COVID-19, played a shortened season under Craig Bohl, finishing 2–4. Basketball, under Jeff Linder, went 14–11 in 2020–21. Combined: 2 + 14 = 16 wins.
The absolute lowest combined total likely occurs in a year when both teams hit rock bottom. The 1975 season stands out: football’s 2–9 record reflects a nadir before Akers’ departure, and basketball’s 10–17 was among the program’s weaker showings in that era. A combined total of 12 wins is exceptionally low, as even in down years, one team often offsets the other slightly. For comparison, 2007’s 12 wins (5 + 7) ties it, but basketball’s 7–21 in 2007–08 is one of the worst in recent memory, and football’s 5–7 was subpar but not catastrophic.
Without exhaustive records, 1975 and 2007 emerge as candidates for the fewest combined wins, both at 12. Given 1975’s consistently poor performance across both sports and the lack of evidence for a lower total elsewhere, it’s a reasonable conclusion. Cross-checking with historical context (e.g., Wyoming’s football struggles pre-1980s resurgence and basketball’s lean years post-Shelton), 1975 aligns with a period of minimal success.
Thus, the year with the fewest combined wins in the last 50 years is likely **1975**, with approximately 12 wins (football: 2, basketball: 10).
To determine the year with the fewest combined wins for the University of Wyoming football team and men’s basketball team over the last 50 years (1975–2024), we need to consider the seasonal records for both programs. The football team’s season typically spans from late summer to early winter (e.g., August to December), while the men’s basketball season runs from late fall to early spring (e.g., November to March), often crossing calendar years. For simplicity, I’ll align the “year” with the football season’s calendar year and pair it with the basketball season that starts in that same year (e.g., 1975 football with the 1975–76 basketball season). This is a common approach for such analyses, though data limitations may require some estimation.
The University of Wyoming football team has competed in NCAA Division I (FBS or its predecessors) and has been part of conferences like the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) until 1998 and the Mountain West Conference (MWC) since 1999. The men’s basketball team, also Division I, has similarly competed in the WAC and MWC, with notable success in the distant past (e.g., 1943 NCAA Championship) but more modest results in recent decades. Over the last 50 years, both teams have experienced fluctuating performance, with football occasionally achieving winning seasons (e.g., under coaches like Joe Tiller or Craig Bohl) and basketball having sporadic strong years (e.g., under coaches like Jim Brandenburg or Steve McClain).
Exact win totals for every year require comprehensive historical records, which are not fully provided here. However, I can estimate based on general trends and key data points from available sources. Football typically plays 11–13 games per season (including bowls), while basketball plays 25–35 games (including postseason). A poor year for football might yield 2–4 wins, and a poor basketball season might yield 5–10 wins, suggesting a low combined total could dip below 10.
Let’s consider some plausible low points:
- **1975**: Football struggled in the mid-1970s under Fred Akers, finishing 2–9 in 1975. Basketball, under George Radovich, went 10–17 in 1975–76. Combined: 2 + 10 = 12 wins.
- **1986**: Football, under Dennis Erickson, went 6–6, but earlier in the decade (e.g., 1985: 3–8) was weaker. Basketball in 1985–86 under Jim Brandenburg went 15–14, but 1986–87 dropped to 14–16. For 1986: 6 + 14 = 20 wins (not the lowest).
- **1999**: Football, transitioning to the MWC under Dana Dimel, went 2–9. Basketball, under Steve McClain, went 14–14 in 1999–2000. Combined: 2 + 14 = 16 wins.
- **2007**: Football, under Joe Glenn, went 5–7. Basketball, under Heath Schroyer, had a dismal 7–21 season in 2007–08. Combined: 5 + 7 = 12 wins.
- **2010**: Football, under Dave Christensen, went 3–9. Basketball, under Heath Schroyer, went 10–21 in 2010–11. Combined: 3 + 10 = 13 wins.
- **2020**: Football, impacted by COVID-19, played a shortened season under Craig Bohl, finishing 2–4. Basketball, under Jeff Linder, went 14–11 in 2020–21. Combined: 2 + 14 = 16 wins.
The absolute lowest combined total likely occurs in a year when both teams hit rock bottom. The 1975 season stands out: football’s 2–9 record reflects a nadir before Akers’ departure, and basketball’s 10–17 was among the program’s weaker showings in that era. A combined total of 12 wins is exceptionally low, as even in down years, one team often offsets the other slightly. For comparison, 2007’s 12 wins (5 + 7) ties it, but basketball’s 7–21 in 2007–08 is one of the worst in recent memory, and football’s 5–7 was subpar but not catastrophic.
Without exhaustive records, 1975 and 2007 emerge as candidates for the fewest combined wins, both at 12. Given 1975’s consistently poor performance across both sports and the lack of evidence for a lower total elsewhere, it’s a reasonable conclusion. Cross-checking with historical context (e.g., Wyoming’s football struggles pre-1980s resurgence and basketball’s lean years post-Shelton), 1975 aligns with a period of minimal success.
Thus, the year with the fewest combined wins in the last 50 years is likely **1975**, with approximately 12 wins (football: 2, basketball: 10).
