Cowboys Look To Extend Conference Lead

For the last two seasons the University of Wyoming men's basketball team have been in the same position with a terrible out come. Two years ago the Pokes were winning large until the star point guard got in a bar fight. Last year the Cowboys were winning large when Larry Nance Jr. tore his acl. And the Cowboys lost four of five after that. So I have my rabbit's foot, my charms, my crucifix, my fresh cut and woven sage,  and my Jim Brandenburgh auto graph and I'm praying things go well. Saturday's Mountain West matchup between the University of Wyoming men's basketball team and Boise State will be a battle of strengths. The Cowboys (14-2, 3-0) sit atop the conference standings with the best scoring defense in the league and third nationally, while the Broncos (10-5, 0-2) own a scoring offense that leads the conference. Tip is set for 4 p.m. MT in the Arena-Auditorium, where the Pokes have won 12-straight games. The Cowboys will be playing an animal that is injured. And we all know what happens when those type of teams come into the Double A. Head coach Leon Rice and Boise State visit Laramie tied for ninth in the MW standings at 10-5 overall and 0-2 in league play. The Broncos were picked to finish second in the conference's preseason poll, but have lost three-straight contests. Most recently, BSU dropped a 62-61 home game to Utah State last Saturday. Senior forward Larry Nance Jr. tweaked his knee at Colorado State, but still managed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. The MW Preseason Player of the Year should be fine for Saturday. He paces Wyoming at 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1. blocks per game, while his 58 percent from the field is third in the MW and 23rd nationally. Junior guard Josh Adams and senior guard Charles Hankerson Jr. chipped in 13 points apiece against the Rams. Adams has quietly scored in double figures in the last six games to average 10.8 on the season. His 3.9 assists per game are second in the league. Hankerson tied a career high with three treys versus CSU, as his 44 percent beyond the arc is fourth in the MW and his 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio is second. He averages 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Senior guard Riley Grabau's 93 percent at the free-throw line is first in the MW and fifth in the NCAA, as he contributes 7.6 points and 2.0 assists per game. Senior forward Derek Cooke Jr. shoots a MW-best 77 percent from the field for 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Boise State will be no pushover. Watch out Cowboy fans. http://www.gowyo.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010915aab.html