Cowboy Altitude

Open Thread: Cowboys At Aztecs

2012-02-23T03:30:09Z

There is plenty of white snow in and all around Arena-Auditorium. Now the Cowboys want make the...

2012-02-22T00:53:19Z

There is plenty of white snow in and all around Arena-Auditorium. Now the Cowboys want make the inside covered in white this Saturday. It's the Cowboys Vs Cancer game and the school will be selling white t shirts to benefit cancer research.

I didn't realize that 1 in 2 men will get cancer during their lifetime. My father dealt with Leukemia three times and he is a survivor thanks to a new procedure that was developed at the University of Arizona hospital. Please do your part to help the Cowboys beat Boise State and for mankind to find a cure to this plague.

Mountain West Hoops: Tough From Top To Bottom

2012-02-20T18:52:43Z

The second time through the Mountain West schedule has not proven kind to the Wyoming Cowboys. After upsetting ranked UNLV the Cowboys have dropped three straight. With an overall record of 18-8 and 4-6 in Mountain West play the Pokes have still put together an impressive season. There are four games remaining before the conference tournament in in Vegas starts. The competition is so tough in the Mountain West right now that the Cowboys could end up finishing the regular season as high as second or as low as eighth place.

Even if the Cowboys don't win another game this year, this season will still be a success. It would be a rough a finish if that happened and I'm sure Shyatt and the players will do everything possible to make sure that doesn't happen. Every team in the Mountain West has stepped up this year and the depth is incredible. The only chance at a NCAA tournament berth for the Pokes appears to be winning the Mountain West tourney. The conference tournament will likely be the best in league history with eight very dangerous teams.

Still the chances are still good for the Cowboys to end up in a postseason tournament if they don't win the Mountain West. The NIT would be nice but right now the Pokes are projected to play in the CBI tournament. Lots of Wyoming fans weren't happy when the team played Northeastern in the CBI back in 2009. After the last two rough seasons I think it is at least a breath of fresh air that postseason tournaments are an option for the Pokes. 10 win seasons are depressing.

It certainly won't be easy for the Cowboys to make it to 20 wins this year. The bottom of the conference has picked up their game recently. Air Force is now 2-1 after firing coach Jeff Reynolds. Their latest victory was a 58-56 thriller over San Diego State on Saturday. TCU is incredibly tough at home as the Cowboys learned in January. The Horned Frogs beat CSU and UNLV in back to back home games this month. However they have lost on the road to SMU (11-16) and then Boise State.

The Broncos were abysmal to start conference play. They started off 0-7 and are now winners of three straight. Those wins include a road win over Air Force and home wins against CSU and TCU. Wyoming travels to San Diego State before hosting Boise State and TCU. Wyoming will need to figure how to keep the offense running in the second half if they want to win another game this year. In their three straight losses the Pokes were outscored in the second half: 25-19 vs New Mexico, 30-17 vs Air Force and 33-18 vs Colorado State.

The crowds have certainly been bigger this year for conference play but only 4,881 showed up for the Air Force game. The fans need to make it for the last two games and give the Pokes a big home-court advantage

NCAA Basketball Stats

College Basketball Stats

Open Thread: Hoops Border War Part Deux

2012-02-19T01:00:16Z

via 1.bp.blogspot.com

Join us here as the Cowboys take on the sheep in Ft. Collins. Wyoming is going for the season sweep of the Border War. There should be a fair amount of brown and gold in the stands.

Panel Of Pokes: Figuring Out The Running Back Spot For 2012

2012-02-17T23:21:01Z

After a month hiatus we are back with another edition of Panel of Pokes. This month we spend our time figuring out what is going to happen with life in Laramie after Alvester Alexander. The position of strength for Cowboys became a little shakier after he decided to take a shot at the NFL early. There are a number of players that could be utilized at running back next year and quized our crew to get their thoughts.

HERE IS THE TOPIC:

What do you want to see the Cowboys do at running back for 2012? How many running backs do you want the Cowboys to use and which players would you put in those spots?

Last year the Pokes used a three back rotation of Alvester Alexander, Ghaali Muhammad and Brandon Miller. Kody Sutton burned his redshirt late in the season when converted linebacker Muhammad went down. Alexander is taking a shot at the NFL and so he is gone. Nehemie Kankalongo is coming back after missing 2011 with a knee injury. There are also two new running backs that just signed with the Pokes this month in DJ May and Shaun Wick.

Our panel this month includes:

Matt Hargleroad - Cowboy Altitude

Ian McMackin - GoWyoGo

Brad Reed - WyoNatio

Matt Blaylock - Poke Pride

Ian - GoWyoGo

UW head coach Dave Christensen probably continues the multiple back rotation and I like this philosophy of a three back rotation. I'd expect to see Kody Sutton come in next season and be more than an adequate replacement for Alexander. I think Sutton can be a superstar in this offense, while the Cowboys will have a good mix of candidates to be part of the multi-rotation. There is a decent chance Ghaali Muhammad stays at running back with the departure Alexander, while Miller could be moved to receiver or stay at RB. It will be interesting to see if Nehemie Kankolongo can finally emerge. The Pokes are excited about incoming freshmen Shaun Wick and DJ May, who could both find themselves in the rotation as true-freshmen.

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Brad Reed - WyoNation

The Cowboys had a running back by committee last year with no single back really standing out. Alvester Alexander led the team in yardage, but towards the end of the season we got to see what Kody Sutton was made of. Brandon Miller had some carries in there, but eventually moved out into a WR position of sorts. Ghaali Muhammad was having a nice year at RB but was derailed by injuries and lost for the season. In 2012 the Cowboys are going to have an entirely different look at RB. Alvester Alexander, the leading rusher from last year's team, and the best back the Pokes have had since Devin Moore left town was primed to have a big senior season and set himself up for some NFL looks, instead, Alexander decided to leave for the NFL early, leaving a big hole to fill in the Pokes offense.

For 2012 I'd like to see a few changes in the running game (and I know that Gregg Brandon is definitely taking my advice!!). First, I'd like to see Ghaali Muhammad move back to linebacker. I think having Ghaali on the offensive side of the ball hurt the Pokes' ability to stop the rushing attack on defense. Ghaali runs with a lot of power and speed, and is a decent returner, but I think his calling as a Cowboy is at LB. Next I'd give Sutton a crack at the starting spot. He had some freshman mistakes last fall, but I think he's going to be a great RB. Runs with a lot of power considering how small he is. Nehemie Kankalongo should be given a chance to start, but we really don't know much about him. He was suspended as a freshman and was held out with an injury in 2011. This will be the first real action Kongo has gotten in a game. I honestly have no clue what the Pokes should do with Miller, but I think leaving him in his WR/RB spot is probably best. I would expect that neither of the true freshman would play unless we suffer an injury that can't be overcome with other back-ups.

The Pokes will be in capable hands next season at RB and I hope that we'll see a 1000 yard rusher emerge and lead the Pokes offense. Brett Smith won't be able to do all the rushing by himself, and to save his health, we need a solid running game to keep the offense chugging.

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Matt Hargleroad - Cowboy Altitude

Last year I was critical of the running back by committee system that was utilized by the Cowboys. After watching it work after a few games it won me over. The loss of Alexander certainly means a big hit to losing a senior on the team and the most experienced running back on the roster. I'd look another three back rotation like the Cowboys utilized in 2011. Last year Ghaali Muhammad made the switch from linebacker to running back and I loved what he brought to the the table. He brings a great package of size and speed together and I hope he gets the spot as the featured back.

After that I certainly say Kody Sutton should be the next to get the rock. He showed some nice flashes last year and would be a nice change of pace to the larger Muhammad. Brandon Miller was effective last year at running back and he also spent some time at receiver. With the depth at running back and the loss at wideout I'd like to see Miller play receiever fulltime in 2012. Sam Stratton is out for the year and Miller would help add some more depth at that spot.

With the third back I want to see Nehemie Kankalongo achieve some success this year. I've been a fan of "Kongo" ever since he visited UW via a very long bus trip from Canada. As a freshmen his time was limited due to suspensions for off the field issues. Then he missed 2011 with a knee injury and used his redshirt. I think he certainly has the potential to be very similar all purpose back like Alexander. There has been some whispers about him and Ghaali perhaps moving to defense. I hope that isn't the case for either players and that they get another shot at running back.

With the two freshmen backs Shaun Wick and DJ May, Christensen has said that both of them are likely to play as freshmen. I hope that one or both of them may be able to redshirt simply because of the depth the Cowboys have at the position. Obviously if someone gets moved to another spot then they would be next in line to get some reps. May and Wick are fairly similar in height, weight and speed as far as I can tell. It will be interesting to see what they can do in fall practice and if one emerges as an impact player right away.

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Matt Blaylock - PokePride

Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen needs to open up the offensive playbook and run a true spread offense. In a true spread the running back is limited in what he will do out of the backfield as far as running the ball.

If Wyoming runs a true spread then we need a back that has the best hands along with speed to catch the ball out of the backfield. The problem lies as you also need experience and that is where you have to look.

Ghaali Muhammad, Brandon Miller, Kody Sutton, Nehemie Kankolongo and the two new recruits D.J. May and Shaun Wick you have to go with what is proven until someone proves otherwise. Right now Muhammad has the experience and he has to be backed up by Brandon Miller.

May and Wick have the speed but are still an unproven commodity, Kankolongo could add depth and may make an impact but coming off an injury he will have to work his way back into playing shape and coaches will need to make sure he is not hesitant in his play.

Going into the season all signs would point to Muhammad starting at running back and Miller backing him up. If this does happen it will be time for Muhammad to shine

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Your turn: Tell us who you want to see the Cowboys use at running back in 2012!

Open Thread: Cowboys Vs Falcons

2012-02-16T01:04:27Z

Join us as the Pokes seek the season sweep of Air Force.

Own a Piece Of Wyoming And Mountain West History

2012-02-15T19:58:41Z

There is sports memorabilia and then there is REAL sports memorabilia.

Now is your chance to own a one of a kind item and a true memento of college football history. The University of Wyoming is having their annual Cowboy Joe Club online auction this month and there is the usual items you'd expect: BBQ sets, Wyoming hats, helmet, and jerseys. There are even some sidelines passes and some fun travel items up for bid. Now those items are great and I would to have any of them. I personally enjoy low-balling high priced items I can't afford just to say I bid on it.

There was one particular item that stuck out to us and this is certainly a once in a life time opportunity. If you are fan of Wyoming, the Mountain West or college football in general then this is something you simply must have! The item up for a bid is the actual conference logo from Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Here is the exact description of the time item from the auction site.

Description: Prior to the 2011 athletic seasons, the Mountain West rebranded itself, which included a new logo. This new logo replaced all existing logos on all competition surfaces, including Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Now, this piece of Mountain West Conference history can be yours! Own the original logo cut out of Jonah Field. This is the perfect addition to the ultimate sports den! Dimensions are approx. 30' wide by 15' tall. (Winning bidder must arrange to pick up item; it cannot be shipped under any circumstances.)

Making this piece even more special is that the Mountain West won't exist anymore after July 1st, 2013. That is when the conference members will form a new league with the teams from Conference USA. That makes this collectors item even more rare - cha ching!

The problem is that this piece of turf is enormous standing 15 feet high and 30 feet wide. That certainly limits where you can display it. If you have a gigantic mancave then this would fit perfectly against one of the walls. Since this is artificial turf it could also be kept outside year round. Have your own mini football field in your backyard!

If you end up winning this monster then you better figure out a way to transport it. UPS is not delivering this to your door. Right now the top bid is $350, that means you'll need to pony up $400 to take the lead. There is a little over two weeks left to bid. This is an item I would love to have. Unfortunately I'm sure the day I brought it home would also be the same day my wife files divorce papers.

If you miss out this opportunity then hopefully the University will auction off the new Mountain West cube logo in a couple years when that gets replaced. If you end up winning this item then please let me see it.

Derrious Gilmore Is Back!

2012-02-15T18:38:35Z

It's taken over a month and missed playing time in nine games but PG Derrious Gilmore is back! Previously he had been ruled academically ineligible since January 9th. That was all cleared up on Tuesday night and Gilmore can play tonight against the Air Force Falcons.

The school released the following statement this morning:

Laramie, Wyo. (Feb. 15, 2012) – University of Wyoming head basketball coach Larry Shyatt announced on Wednesday that junior guard Derrious Gilmore has been cleared to play by the NCAA beginning immediately. Gilmore’s academic eligibility was reinstated by the NCAA through an appeal process. The NCAA notified the University of Wyoming Athletics Department that Gilmore’s appeal was granted late Tuesday.

Gilmore was ruled academically ineligible to play in games, beginning with Wyoming’s home game versus Idaho State on Jan. 9. He was allowed to continue to practice with the Cowboys, per NCAA rules, as he continued his education at the University of Wyoming. He missed the last nine games for the Cowboys.

Gilmore played in Wyoming’s first 15 games of the season, starting one game versus Northern Colorado on Nov. 15. He is averaging 4.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Having Gilmore back in the lineup will give the Cowboys a much needed boost to their bench. JayDee Luster has done a fine job in the starting role at point guard but the Pokes have struggled when he needs a breather or gets in foul trouble. Sounds like ordeal took a lot longer to get resolved then Shyatt or anyone else expected.

With Derrious back the Cowboys should have a better chance at winning some of their tough remaining games against CSU, TCU, SDSU and UNLV. The Wyoming bench will also be very important when the Mountain West tournament starts in March. Gilmore adds a pure point guard to the rotation and another shooting threat from behind the arc.