Wyoming Cowboys basketball explained

Current:2023–24 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team
Wyoming Cowboys
University:University of Wyoming
Conference:Mountain West
Location:Laramie, Wyoming
Coach:Sundance Wicks
Tenure:1st
Arena:Arena-Auditorium
Capacity:11,612
Nickname:Official: CowboysUnofficial: Pokes
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Ncaachampion2:1934
Ncaachampion:1943
Ncaafinalfour:1943
Ncaaeliteeight:1941, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952
Ncaasweetsixteen:1952, 1953, 1967, 1987
Ncaaroundof32:1981, 1982, 1987, 2002
Ncaatourneys:1941, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1958, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 2002, 2015, 2022
Conference Tournament:1987, 1988, 2015
Conference Season:1928, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1958, 1967, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1986, 2001, 2002

The University of Wyoming men's basketball program, which competes in the Mountain West Conference, with the schools first recorded game dating back to 1905. Wyoming won the 1943 NCAA championship under Hall of Fame coach Everett Shelton and behind star guard Ken Sailors, who pioneered the jump shot that is now the standard in basketball. Wyoming has made a total of 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament. Since the Mountain West was formed in 1999, Wyoming has won two conference titles, including an outright championship in 2002. Prior to that, Wyoming won five championships in the Western Athletic Conference, eight championships in the Skyline Conference, and one championship in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

History

The Wyoming basketball program began in 1904 when a group known as the "Laramie Town Team" challenged a team from the university to a basketball game; Wyoming won that game by a score of 17–5.[1] The team became a powerhouse in the 1930s under coach Willard "Dutch" Witte, who led the 1934 Cowboy team to a 26–3 record. Wyoming was retroactively named the 1934 national champion by the Helms Foundation. Witte coached a total of nine seasons in Laramie and compiled a 134–51 record.

After Witte stepped down in 1939, Everett Shelton took over the team and went on to become the winningest coach in Wyoming history in his 19 years in Laramie. Although Shelton went just 6–10 in his first season, his teams would win 20 or more games seven times during his career. In 1943, the Cowboys went 31–2 and won the NCAA tournament. That team was led by Ken Sailors, who scored 16 points in the championship game victory over Georgetown on his way to being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In addition, Sailors was named college basketball's Player of the Year in 1943 and again in 1946 after returning from fighting in World War II. In all, the Cowboys made eight NCAA tournament appearances under Shelton, though they only won one game aside from the three-game run in 1943.

After Shelton retired in 1959, Wyoming basketball lay dormant for some time. Including Shelton's last four campaigns as head coach, the Cowboys endured nine consecutive losing seasons from 1956 to 1964. Coach Bill Strannigan, who succeeded Shelton, had just six winning seasons in 14 years as head coach and made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 1967 in which the Cowboys were handed a lopsided loss at the hands of eventual national champion UCLA and its All-American center Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Again from 1971 through 1978, the Cowboys had one winning season, a 17–10 campaign under Don DeVoe in 1976–77.

In 1978, Jim Brandenburg became the Cowboys' head coach and the program experienced a resurgence. In his nine seasons, Wyoming did not have a single losing season and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. In 1981, the Cowboys were 24–6 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. In addition to being the Cowboys' first tournament appearance since 1967, it was their first 20-win season since 1952–53 and first NCAA tournament victory since 1952. After guiding the Cowboys to the Sweet 16 in 1987, however, Brandenburg left the Cowboys to become the coach at conference rival San Diego State.[2] He was replaced by Benny Dees, who went 26–6 in his first year with the Cowboys and returned them to the NCAA tournament in 1988 where they lost in the first round to Loyola Marymount.

Larry Shyatt went 19–9 in 1997–98, his only season in Laramie before becoming the head coach at Clemson University. After his departure, Steve McClain took over the head coaching job and had three consecutive 20-win seasons from 2001 to 2003, including conference titles in 2001 and 2002 and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2002. On March 22, 2007, Wyoming hired former Portland State head coach Heath Schroyer to become its next head coach. Shyatt was hired yet again as Wyoming's head coach after the 2010–11 season ended due to the firing of Heath Schroyer.[3] The 2010–11 team's top two scorers left the program[4] afterwards, with Desmar Jackson and Amath M'Baye transferring to Southern Illinois University[5] and the University of Oklahoma,[6] respectively.

The Cowboys went 21–12 in Shyatt's first season, for their first 20–win season in 9 years.[7] They made the College Basketball Invitational each of the next three seasons,[8] [9] [10] making the quarterfinals in 2012 and 2013. In the 2014–15 season, the Cowboys finished with a record of 25–10, won the Mountain West Conference tournament over San Diego State 45–43, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.[11] Larry Nance Jr. was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 27th pick in the 2015 NBA draft, becoming Wyoming's first player selected in the draft since Theo Ratliff in 1995. On March 21, 2016, Shyatt announced his resignation from the head coaching job,[12] and Allen Edwards was announced as the 21st head coach in program history.

In Edwards' first season, the Cowboys went 23–15 and won the CBI tournament, defeating Coastal Carolina in the championship.[13] Edwards again won 20 games in his second season. In 2019, Justin James was drafted 40th overall by the Sacramento Kings, becoming the second Cowboy in the decade to be taken in the NBA draft.[14] On December 9, 2019, the program retired Fennis Dembo's no. 34 jersey.[15] Following two disappointing campaigns where the Cowboys failed to win 10 games each year, Edwards was let go as head coach.[16] Jeff Linder was hired as the 22nd head coach in program history on March 17, 2020.[17]

In Linder's first season with the Cowboys, he led the team to a 14–11 year despite inheriting a team with only 6 conference wins the two seasons prior. This included a 6–1 non-conference record highlighted by a road win against eventual Elite Eight participant Oregon State. The team's season ended in the Mountain West tournament quarterfinals 69–66 to eventual champion San Diego State.

Head coaching records

Coach!style=""
TenureSeasonsRecordWin Pct.
W. Yates1904–190624–2
Lt. Coburn1906–190825–7
Elmer Hoefer1908–190913–3
Harold I. Dean1909–191239–13
Leon Exelby1912–191312–5
Ralph Thacker1913–191523–7
John J. Corbett1915–1924939–41
Stewart Clark1924–1928444–26
George McLaren1928–1930229–12
Willard Witte1930–19399135–52
Everett Shelton1939–195919328–201
Bill Strannigan1959–197314179–187
George Radovich1973–1976324–55
Don DeVoe1976–1978229–25
Jim Brandenburg1978–19879176–97
Benny Dees1987–19936104–77
Joby Wright1993–1997453–60
Larry Shyatt1997–1998119–9
Steve McClain1998–20079157–115
Heath Schroyer2007–2011449–68
Larry Shyatt2011–2016598–69
Allen Edwards2016–2020460–76
Jeff Linder2020–2024463–59
Totals22 coaches118 seasons1,612–1,266

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Cowboys have appeared in the NCAA tournament 16 times, with a combined record of 9–21. They were national champions in 1943.

Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place
Arkansas
L 40–52
L 44–45
Elite Eight
Final Four
Championship
W 55–50
W 58–54
W 46–34
Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place
Texas
L 40–42
L 46–63
Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place
L 48–58
L 47–57
Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place
L 39–40
L 48–61
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
W 54–48
L 53–56
Round of 22
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place
Bye
# 16
#14

L 52–67
L 64–80
Round of 24 L 51–88
Round of 23
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place
Bye
#1 UCLA
#10

L 60–109
L 67–69
5 W Round of 48
Round of 32
W 78–43
L 65–67
8 W Round of 48
Round of 32
W 61–58
L 43–51
12 W Round of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
W 64–60
W 78–68
L 78–92
7 W Round of 64 L 115–119
11 W Round of 64
Round of 32
W 73–66
L 60–68
12 E Round of 64 L 54–71
12 E First Four L 58–66

NIT results

The Cowboys have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) eight times, with a combined record of 7–8.

First Round L 66–77
First Round L 49–51
First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship


Clemson

W 79–70
W 99–90
W 62–57
W 67–58
L 63–73
First Round
Second Round

W 63–61
L 75–83
First Round L 55–69
First Round
Second Round

W 81–77
L 72–93
First Round L 69–72
First Round
Second Round
W 78–71
L 74–90

CBI results

The Cowboys have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) five times, with a combined record of 7–5. They were champions in 2017.

First Round L 62–64
First Round
Quarterfinals
W 76–75
L 41–61
First Round
Quarterfinals
W 67–66
L 67–75 OT
First Round L 43–59
First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals–Game 1
Finals–Game 2
Finals–Game 3
Eastern Washington
UMKC
Utah Valley
Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina
W 91–81
W 72–61
W 74–68
L 81–91
W 81–57
W 83–59

National Campus Basketball Tournament results

The Cowboys appeared in the only National Campus Basketball Tournament, with a record of 1–2.[18]

1951 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game


W 78–61
L 63–77
L 52–55

Records vs. Mountain West opponents

As of March 11, 2022

OpponentWinsLossesPct.Streak
81 41 W 3
15 21 L 1
14 21 W 2
136 101 L 1
19 9 W 5
20 42 W 1
71 75 L 1
41 48 L 8
20 2 W 12
53 33 W 2

Notable players

Statistical leaders

Career leaders

Source:[19]

Career scoring leaders
SeasonsPlayerPoints
1985–88 2,311
2006–09 Brandon Ewing 2,168
2017–23 2,158
2015–19 2,061
1963–65 2,049
1985–88 1,938
2013–16 1,819
1989–92 1,809
1978–81 1,744
1995–98 1,599
Career rebounding leaders
SeasonsPlayerRebounds
1989–92 1,197
1998–02 956
1985–88 954
1994–97 HL Coleman 939
1964–66 889
1979–82 840
1978–81 Kenneth Ollie 833
1968–70 Carl Ashley 818
2017–23 808
2012–15 807
Career assists leaders
SeasonsPlayerAssists
2017–23 630
1984–88 Sean Dent 502
2006–09 Brandon Ewing 471
2002–05 Jay Straight 453
1999–03 Chris McMillian 434
1985–88 410
2013–16 398
1980–83 Mike Jackson 357
2006–08 Brad Jones 351
2010–12 JayDee Luster 344
Career blocks leaders
SeasonsPlayerBlocks
1992–95 425
2005–06 244
2015–18 Alan Herndon 184
1998–01 173
1985–88 164
2012–15 135
1989–92 100
1979–82 97
2008–11 95
1985–88 95
Career steals leaders
SeasonsPlayerSteals
1984–88 Sean Dent 249
2017–23 188
1985–88 176
2006–09 Brandon Ewing 161
1995–97 LaDrell Whitehead 150
2013–16 144
2012–15 141
1999–02 140
1999–03 Chris McMillian 136
2002–05 Jay Straight 126
Career games played leaders
SeasonsPlayerGames
2017–23 157
2018–23 Hunter Thompson 137
2015–18 Alan Herndon 133
1985–88 131
2013–16 131
2015–19 131
1985–88 129
1985–88 Turk Boyd 129
1985–88 David Lodgins 128
1984–88 Sean Dent 127

Single-season leaders

Single-season scoring leaders
SeasonPlayerPoints
2015–16 740
2018–19 706
1964–65 701
1986–87 689
1962–63 Flynn Robinson 682
1963–64 Flynn Robinson 666
1987–88 Fennis Dembo 653
2021–22 Graham Ike 644
1955–56 637
1986–87 634
Single-season rebounding leaders
SeasonPlayerRebounds
1990–91 Reggie Slater 331
2005–06 329
1989–90 Reggie Slater 328
1991–92 Reggie Slater 327
2021–22 Graham Ike 317
2016–17 316
1964–65 315
1952–53 Ron Rivers 314
1996–97 HL Coleman 303
1965–66 302
Single-season assists leaders
SeasonPlayerAssists
2021–22 207
1986–87 Sean Dent 183
2008–09 Brandon Ewing 166
1985–86 Sean Dent 166
2004–05 Jay Straight 148
1991–92 Maurice Alexander 147
2018–19 Justin James 143
2006–07 Brad Jones 135
1998–99 Chris McMillian 130
1991–92 Mike Jackson 129
Single-season blocks leaders
SeasonPlayerBlocks
2005–06 163
1994–95 144
1992–93 Theo Ratliff 124
1993–94 Theo Ratliff 114
2004–05 Justin Williams 81
2016–17 Alan Herndon 74
2017–18 Alan Herndon 72
1989–90 Reggie Page 60
2013–14 55
2012–13 Leonard Washington 55
Single-season steals leaders
SeasonPlayerSteals
1985–86 Sean Dent 93
1986–87 Sean Dent 75
1995–96 LaDrell Whitehead 70
2010–11 61
1987–88 Sean Dent 61
1998–99 Anthony Blakes 59
1990–91 Maurice Alexander 58
2011–12 Luke Martinez 54
1993–94 David Murray 53
1998–99 Chris McMillian 52

Retired numbers

See main article: List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers.

Wyoming Cowboys retired numbers
width=40px style="" No.width=150px style="" Playerwidth=100px style="" Playing yearswidth= px style="" No. ret.width= px style="" Ref.
4 1940–1946 2008 [20]
34 1984–1988 2019 [21] [22]

All-Americans

Consensus First TeamHelms (1st), Converse (1st)
Helms (1st)
Consensus First TeamHelms (1st), Converse (1st)
Consensus First TeamHelms (1st), Converse (3rd), Sporting News (1st)
Consensus Second TeamConverse (2nd), True (1st), Sporting News (3rd)
True (2nd)
Look (2nd), Collier's (2nd)
NEA (3rd)
USBWA (2nd)
AP (3rd)

Arena

See main article: Arena-Auditorium.

The Arena-Auditorium, which seats 11,612, serves as the home court for the Cowboy basketball team. Since its opening in 1982, the Cowboys have enjoyed a strong homecourt advantage at the AA.

Wyoming's first home court was a small, red-brick building known as the "Little Red Gym." That was followed by the Half Acre Gym, which served as the Cowboys' home from 1925 to 1951 and seated just over 4,000; the Cowboys had a record of 222–44 in the building. The Cowboys moved into War Memorial Fieldhouse in 1951 and remained there until the Arena-Auditorium opened in 1982.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Wyoming Way . PDF. Grfx.cstv.com. 2015-07-01.
  2. News: SPORTS PEOPLE - Wyoming Coach Exits . . 1987-03-25 . 2023-04-17.
  3. Web site: Columns - CBSSports.com . Sportsline.com . 2015-06-26 . 2015-07-01.
  4. Web site: Wyoming Cowboys' Desmar Jackson, Amath M'Baye won't return to team next season . espn.com . 2015-01-07 . 2023-04-17.
  5. Web site: Wyoming guard Desmar Jackson transfers to Southern Illinois - Southern Illinois University Official Athletic Site . Siusalukis.com . 2011-04-13 . 2015-07-01.
  6. Web site: Wyoming F Amath M'Baye Transferring to Oklahoma . Cowboyaltitude.com . 2011-04-18 . 2015-07-01.
  7. Web site: Cowboys Clinch 20th Win with 71–59 Victory Over TCU. GoWyo.com. February 28, 2012. March 21, 2016.
  8. Web site: Wyoming Earns Postseason Berth in College Basketball Invitational. GoWyo.com. March 11, 2012. March 21, 2016.
  9. Web site: Wyoming Earns Postseason Berth in College Basketball Invitational. GoWyo.com. March 17, 2013. March 21, 2016.
  10. Web site: Wyoming Accepts Third-Straight College Basketball Invitational Bid. GoWyo.com. March 16, 2014. March 21, 2016.
  11. Web site: Wyoming Upsets No. 25 San Diego State, 45-43, to Earn First NCAA Bid Since 2002. GoWyo.com. March 14, 2015. March 21, 2016.
  12. News: Holmgren. Ryan. Larry Shyatt resigns after six season at Wyoming. March 21, 2016. Casper Star-Tribune.
  13. News: Foster . Brandon . Wyoming men's basketball's CBI championship came at financial cost . 10 March 2020 . Casper Star Tribune . 9 June 2017.
  14. News: Harris . Noel . Kings sign top draft pick Justin James, who has shown improvement in summer league . 10 March 2020 . The Sacramento Bee . 10 July 2019.
  15. News: Ringolsby . Tracy . Retiring Type: Dembo Becomes 2nd Cowboy Hoopster to Have Number Retired . 10 March 2020 . Sports Illustrated . 6 December 2019.
  16. News: Borzello . Jeff . Allen Edwards out as Wyoming coach after 4 seasons . 10 March 2020 . ESPN . 9 March 2020.
  17. News: Seeman . Nick . Jeff Linder Named Head Coach of Cowboy Basketball Program . 17 March 2020 . gowyo.com . 17 March 2020.
  18. Web site: National Campus Tournament 1951 . Luckyshow.org . 2015-07-01.
  19. Web site: Wyoming Cowboys Basketball 2019-20 Media Guide . GoWyo.com . University of Wyoming Department of Athletics . 25 September 2020.
  20. https://www.denverpost.com/2009/04/06/sailors-still-big-shot-in-wyoming-history/ Sailors still big shot in Wyoming history
  21. https://www.montanasports.com/college-sports/ncaa/wyoming-cowboys-to-retire-fennis-dembos-jersey-saturday Wyoming Cowboys to retire Fennis Dembo's jersey Saturday
  22. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2019/12/09/uw-standout-fennis-dembos-number-retired/ UW standout Fennis Dembo’s number retired