Wyoming’s Set for Battles With New Mexico
The mid-week Mountain West basketball action has Wyoming taking on the New Mexico Lobos Wednesday night in Laramie and Albuquerque.
The Cowgirls will be at home against UNM at 6:30 p.m. The Cowboys have travelled down to New Mexico and will play in “The Pit” at 7 p.m.
The women’s match-up features two of the top three teams in the league standings right now.
Wyoming (9-5, 2-1) is looking for its third straight conference win. They are tied for third place in the MW Women’s Basketball standings with UNLV.
New Mexico (15-2, 3-1) is tied for first in the conference standings. The Lobos are looking to bounce back after they lost their last game at San Jose State last Saturday, 95-86.
Cowgirls’ head coach Joe Legerski looks at that overall record and believes this will be a big challenge.
“Four players are averaging anywhere from 13-to-16 points a game. They shoot the ball extremely well from three. They put a lot of pressure on you in transition, and so you see why they’re 15-2. It’s a game we’re taking a look at where one, you’re going to have to be very sound defensively in your assignments with transition, as well as, what we’re trying to do in the half-court.”
Wyoming has won three straight in the series, which included a 60-58 victory in Albuquerque last February.
The men’s game down in New Mexico pits two teams right next to each other in the MW standings. The Cowboys are fifth, while the Lobos are sixth.
Wyoming (11-5, 2-1) is coming off that dramatic overtime comeback win last Saturday over Boise State. They’re looking for their first road win in league play.
New Mexico (7-10, 2-2) beat San Jose State 80-47 last Saturday at home. Their other conference victory was also a blowout at home against Air Force on Dec. 27, 87-58.
The Lobos are led by first year head coach Paul Weir. He’s brought in a new style for the Lobos.
Cowboys’ head coach Allen Edwards said it reminds him of the way he played in college at Kentucky with a lot of pressing and playing 94-feet.
“The first key will be defending. If you stop them from scoring, it’s hard for them to get into the press. Not to say that they won’t press on missed shots, but if they don’t score it’s hard to press. My thing will be defense first, and then from there, yes, you have to be assertive. You have to attack.”
Wyoming has won two of the last three in the series. Their last road break-through in Albuquerque was Jan. 16, 2016 by a score of 70-68.
Tonight’s game will be televised live on Facebook. It is produced by Mountain West Conference television partner Stadium.