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Wyoming Cowboys basketball

Men's basketball team of the University of Wyoming

Men's basketball team of the University of Wyoming

FieldValue
current2025–26 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team
nameWyoming Cowboys basketball
logoWyoming cowboys wordmark 2024.png
logo_size200
universityUniversity of Wyoming
conferenceMountain West
locationLaramie, Wyoming
coachSundance Wicks
tenure2nd
arenaArena-Auditorium
capacity11,612
nicknameOfficial: Cowboys
h_body492F24
h_pattern_b_thinsidesonwhite
h_shorts492F24
h_pattern_s_blanksides2
a_body492F24
a_pattern_b_thingoldsides2
a_shorts492F24
a_pattern_s_thingoldsides
3_bodyFFC425
3_pattern_b_thinbrownsides
3_shortsFFC425
3_pattern_s_brownsides
<!--4_bodyFFFFFF
4_pattern_b_blackredsides
4_shortsFFFFFF
4_pattern_s_blackredsides --
bestfinish1
NCAAchampion21934
NCAAchampion1943
NCAAfinalfour1943
NCAAeliteeight1941, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952
NCAAsweetsixteen1952, 1953, 1967, 1987
NCAAroundof321981, 1982, 1987, 2002
NCAAtourneys1941, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1958, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 2002, 2015, 2022
conference_tournament1987, 1988, 2015
conference_season1928, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1958, 1967, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1986, 2001, 2002

Unofficial: Pokes The University of Wyoming men's basketball program 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. 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. 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. The 2010–11 team's top two scorers left the program afterwards, with Desmar Jackson and Amath M'Baye transferring to Southern Illinois University and the University of Oklahoma, respectively.

The Cowboys went 21–12 in Shyatt's first season, for their first 20–win season in 9 years. They made the College Basketball Invitational each of the next three seasons, 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. 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, 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. 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. On December 9, 2019, the program retired Fennis Dembo's no. 34 jersey. Following two disappointing campaigns where the Cowboys failed to win 10 games each year, Edwards was let go as head coach. Jeff Linder was hired as the 22nd head coach in program history on March 17, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Seeman |first1=Nick |title=Jeff Linder Named Head Coach of Cowboy Basketball Program

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

Wyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"CoachWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"TenureWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"SeasonsWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"RecordWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"Win 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
Sundance Wicks2024–present112–20
Totals23 coaches118 seasons1,624–1,286

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.

202212 EFirst Four(12) IndianaL 58–66

NIT results

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

2003First Round
Second Round
North CarolinaW 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.

2017First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals–Game 1
Finals–Game 2
Finals–Game 3Eastern Washington
UMKC
Utah Valley
Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina
Coastal CarolinaW 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.

1951Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game
W 78–61
L 63–77
L 52–55

Records vs. Mountain West opponents

As of March 13, 2024

OpponentWinsLossesPct.Streak
Air Force8343W 2
Boise State1524L 4
Fresno State1723L 1
Colorado State138103L 1
Nevada2110L 1
UNLV2046L 4
New Mexico7279L 3
San Diego State4151L 11
San Jose State223W 2
Utah State5337L 4

Notable players

Statistical leaders

Career leaders

Source:

Career scoring leadersSeasonsPlayerPoints
1985–88Fennis Dembo2,311
2006–09Brandon Ewing2,168
2017–23Hunter Maldonado2,158
2015–19Justin James2,061
1963–65Flynn Robinson2,049
1985–88Eric Leckner1,938
2013–16Josh Adams1,819
1989–92Reggie Slater1,809
1978–81Charles Bradley1,744
1995–98Jeron Roberts1,599
Career rebounding leadersSeasonsPlayerRebounds
1989–92Reggie Slater1,197
1998–02Josh Davis956
1985–88Fennis Dembo954
1994–97HL Coleman939
1964–66Leon Clark889
1979–82Bill Garnett840
1978–81Kenneth Ollie833
1968–70Carl Ashley818
2017–23Hunter Maldonado808
2012–15Larry Nance Jr.807
Career assists leadersSeasonsPlayerAssists
2017–23Hunter Maldonado630
1984–88Sean Dent502
2006–09Brandon Ewing471
2002–05Jay Straight453
1999–03Chris McMillian434
1985–88Fennis Dembo410
2013–16Josh Adams398
1980–83Mike Jackson357
2006–08Brad Jones351
2010–12JayDee Luster344
Career blocks leadersSeasonsPlayerBlocks
1992–95Theo Ratliff425
2005–06Justin Williams244
2015–18Alan Herndon184
1998–01Josh Davis173
1985–88Eric Leckner164
2012–15Larry Nance Jr.135
1989–92Reggie Slater100
1979–82Bill Garnett97
2008–11Djibril Thiam95
1985–88Fennis Dembo95
Career steals leadersSeasonsPlayerSteals
1984–88Sean Dent249
2017–23Hunter Maldonado188
1985–88Fennis Dembo176
2006–09Brandon Ewing161
1995–97LaDrell Whitehead150
2013–16Josh Adams144
2012–15Larry Nance Jr.141
1999–02Josh Davis140
1999–03Chris McMillian136
2002–05Jay Straight126
Career games played leadersSeasonsPlayerGames
2017–23Hunter Maldonado157
2018–23Hunter Thompson137
2015–18Alan Herndon133
1985–88Eric Leckner131
2013–16Josh Adams131
2015–19Justin James131
1985–88Fennis Dembo129
1985–88Turk Boyd129
1985–88David Lodgins128
1984–88Sean Dent127

Single-season leaders

Single-season scoring leadersSeasonPlayerPoints
2015–16Josh Adams740
2018–19Justin James706
1964–65Flynn Robinson701
1986–87Fennis Dembo689
1962–63Flynn Robinson682
1963–64Flynn Robinson666
1987–88Fennis Dembo653
2021–22Graham Ike644
1955–56Joe Capua637
1986–87Eric Leckner634
Single-season rebounding leadersSeasonPlayerRebounds
1990–91Reggie Slater331
2005–06Justin Williams329
1989–90Reggie Slater328
1991–92Reggie Slater327
2021–22Graham Ike317
2016–17Hayden Dalton316
1964–65Leon Clark315
1952–53Ron Rivers314
1996–97HL Coleman303
1965–66Leon Clark302
Single-season assists leadersSeasonPlayerAssists
2021–22Hunter Maldonado207
1986–87Sean Dent183
2008–09Brandon Ewing166
1985–86Sean Dent166
2004–05Jay Straight148
1991–92Maurice Alexander147
2006–07Brad Jones135
2018–19Justin James133
2019–20Hunter Maldonado132
1998–99Chris McMillian130
Single-season blocks leadersSeasonPlayerBlocks
2005–06Justin Williams163
1994–95Theo Ratliff144
1992–93Theo Ratliff124
1993–94Theo Ratliff114
2004–05Justin Williams81
2016–17Alan Herndon74
2017–18Alan Herndon72
1989–90Reggie Page60
2013–14Larry Nance Jr.55
2012–13Leonard Washington55
Single-season steals leadersSeasonPlayerSteals
1985–86Sean Dent93
1986–87Sean Dent75
1995–96LaDrell Whitehead70
2010–11Desmar Jackson61
1987–88Sean Dent61
1998–99Anthony Blakes59
1990–91Maurice Alexander58
2011–12Luke Martinez54
1993–94David Murray53
1998–99Chris McMillian52

Retired numbers

Main article: List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers

Wyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"No.Wyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"PlayerWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"Playing yearsWyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"No. ret.Wyoming Cowboysborder=0}}"Ref.
4Ken Sailors1940–19462008
34Fennis Dembo1984–19882019

All-Americans

Arena

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.

References

References

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