Cowboys travel to Boise for first road test

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Written by Britt Marsh

Wednesday, 03 December 2008 09:31

The Cowboys of the hardwood have yet to suffer a defeat this season. They have won by large margins and squeaked out close victories on their way to averaging just over 85 points per game. However, all five of those victories have come at home in the Arena-Auditorium. Wyoming will now face their first real test of the young season this Wednesday on the road against Boise State.

Taco Bell Arena in Boise is not the famous blue ‘Smurf Turf’ of the successful football team; but like the football team, the Boise State basketball team has been unbeatable at home this season. The Broncos are 4-1 on the year, with their only loss coming on the road at the hands of Siena. They have put up nearly 85 points a game at home in victories over Idaho State and Montana State, but Wednesday’s game seems to be their first test as well.

“[Boise State is] a very good offensive team,” Wyoming head coach Heath Schroyer said. “They’re talent level is good and they play with a purpose; we’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

Boise State big men Mark Sanchez (16 points) and Kurt Cunningham (11.2 points) lead their team in scoring, and former Cowboy, Ike Okoye (who transferred two seasons ago) has also put up solid numbers inside. Okoye leads his team in rebounding, averaging eight per game, while also putting up 6.2 points per contest. With the strength and offensive firepower Boise’s post players possess, Schroyer thinks that’s where the game will be decided—inside the paint.

“Both their [post players] can really score on the blocks, and Sanchez is crafty around the basket” he said. “Our post guys are really going to have to come to play.”

That is exactly what Tyson Johnson and Adam Waddell have done the last two games, as both had career games in Cowboy victories over the Thanksgiving break. But their team will need them to continue to play at such a high level in order to leave Boise with a victory.

Fellow big men Mikhail Linskens and Mahamoud Diakite will also look to contribute and slow down the Broncos as Schroyer plans on taking full advantage of his post player depth.

Putting the ball in the basket is normally not a stiff task for the backcourt mates Brandon Ewing, Afam Muojeke, and Sean Ogirri. The trio average 60-percent of Wyoming’s points - a combined 51 points per game. But it is on the defensive end where they will have their work cut out for them.

Schroyer said the Broncos are “very, very good in transition,” and Wyoming’s perimeter players will have to pressure the opposing guards and work with their teammates in the post to limit transition baskets.

Anthony Thomas, a former Western Athletics Conference freshman of the year, leads the Bronco transition attack with five assists a game, often finding sharpshooter Paul Noonan, who averages double figures in scoring. Schroyer said the Bronco guards are hard to defend as they space the floor well, but Ewing, Muojeke, and Ogirri will need to be as successful on the defensive end as they are on offense.

“[Boise State] will be the best team we’ve played up to this point,” Schroyer said.

And playing the best team they’ve faced all season away from the ‘Dome of Doom’ will be no easy task for the Cowboys on their quest for six straight wins. But if the Pokes can do a “good, fundamental job of guarding the post” and get back in transition, a dominant word may still be associated with the Cowboys: undefeated.

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