Wyoming Cowboys
Record: 25-9, 11-7 Mountain West
Head coach: Larry Shyatt (4th season)
Season summary: Wyoming received an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament by winning the Mountain West tournament. During the course of the season, the Cowboys earned most of their victories through stellar defense. Ranked eighth in the nation in points allowed per game, Wyoming was anchored by forward Larry Nance Jr., who led the team in rebounds and blocks per game. The senior also led Wyoming in scoring , averaging just better than 16 points per contest.
Unlike their impressive defense, the Cowboys' offense struggled. Playing at a tortoise’s pace at the scoring end of the floor, Wyoming averaged a mere 61.7 points per game. The Cowboys also didn’t face a difficult schedule— playing only four teams currently in the tournament—and struggle on the glass, where they rank 330th in the nation in rebounding.
How they make a run: Wyoming rides a strong scoring performance from Nance Jr. and a lockdown effort from its stingy defense to an early-round upset.
How they falter: The Cowboys aren’t able to get their offense going—which has happened quite often this season—and fall when they go up against a team that is tougher than they are in the post.
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