WLM
been here a combined
one year. Fortunately, we
have several other team
members that, over the
last two seasons, have
been a part of 41 wins
and three wins over top20 ranked foes, so they
have a solid foundation
to build off of.”
Wyoming officially
began preparations for
the 2013-14 campaign on
Friday, Sept. 25, more
than two weeks earlier
than last season thanks
to a change in NCAA
rules. It was the first day
the NCAA permitted
formal team practices, as
the Cowboys just came
off a summer where
the NCAA allowed
more individual practice time as well. The
Pokes had just over a month to practice,
before their exhibition opener against CUColorado Springs on Oct. 31.
| athletics
Junior forward Derek Cooke Jr. and
senior guard Nathan Sobey both averaged
13 minutes in action off the bench in 2012-13.
Cooke made two starts down the stretch
for an injured teammate, while Sobey
posted a career-high 22 points at Air Force
in February and hit the game-winning shot
against Lehigh. This season’s Pokes feature
two seniors, six juniors, four sophomores
and four freshmen, as three starters and 10
letterwinners return.
Five newcomers will also add immediate
depth for Wyoming this season. Redshirt
junior guard Charles Hankerson Jr. sat
out last season after transferring from
Alabama, while redshirt senior guard
Jerron Granberry has one year of
eligibility after graduating from North
Florida this spring. Both could push for a
starting spot on UW’s perimeter. Freshman
guard Trey Washington III is in the mold of
former Cowboy and 2012 MW Defensive
Player of the Year JayDee Luster, while
freshman forward Keonta Vernon was
impressive in California during his prep
career and adds physicality inside.
“In our case more time with the team in
the summer and an earlier star t to team
practices is a positive because we have so
many young players in the program,” UW
head coach Larry Shyatt said. “We’ve had
a chance to observe them and listen to them
and, most of all, coach them. It’s been a
huge advantage for all Division I programs
to be able to embrace their teams more in
the offseason.”
the first time since 1991. UW also upset two
top-25 foes during the course of the season.
Now a balanced 2013-14 UW squad will
look to build on back-to-back 20-win
seasons and postseason bids.
“We relied heavily on eight quality seniors
the past two seasons, but now we flip the
page,” Shyatt said. “We have a new era
this season with two seniors that have only
“The one thing we can’t control is the
credibility of men’s basketball in the
Mountain West, as that is at an all-time
high,” Shyatt said. “Because of that we
are going to focus on who we are and
understand who we are not. Hopefully
these guys can grow with us this season.
They have done everything a coach could
ask this spring and summer on and off the
court, so now we just have to put our best
foot forward.”
Junior forward Larry Nance Jr. is
Wyoming’s top returner after averaging
10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last season,
while fellow junior Riley Grabau could take
over the point guard position after his 2.5
assists were second on the team last season.
Sophomore guard Josh Adams was thrust
into a starting role midway through 2012-13
and averaged 6.6 points down the stretch.
He looks to be a contributing starter right
from the start this fall. UW’s strength in
2013-14 could be its depth, as several other
letterwinners that saw extended minutes last
season return.
After being widely regarded as the
toughest conference in the nation last season,
the Mountain West looks to be another
battle for the Pokes in 2013-14. New
Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV will
continue to be strong programs, while Boise
State could be the surprise of the league.
Nevada and Fresno State look to build in
their second year in the league, while the
MW welcomes Utah State and San Jose
State. The 2013-14 home schedule features
19 home games. Postseason play begins at
the Reese’s MW Championships on March
12-15 in Las Vegas.
www.wyolifestyle.com
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