Wyoming looks for first win at Denver's Magness Arena since 2001
Inside the confines of the University of Denver?s home gym, UW has lost six straight games, including two under coach Larry Shyatt. The Cowboys haven't won there since Nov. 26, 2001.
?Specifically, I remember that arena being a little colder than normal. I think it?s like a hockey arena or something,? said redshirt sophomore guard Trey Washington III, who played there as a true freshman in 2013.
In total, the home team has won 13 consecutive contests in the series.
Last year, the Pokes rolled to a 68-42 victory at the Arena-Auditorium.
In 2013, former UW star and current Los Angeles Laker Larry Nance Jr. went off for 38 points in a 64-61 setback.
?We lost that game despite a tremendous effort by Larry,? UW senior guard Josh Adams said.
In 2011, the Pioneers pulled out a 57-46 home win.
?It could be system-driven, personnel-driven, but the two teams we?ve had here the last years came up short,? Shyatt said.
Wyoming will encounter longtime Denver coach Joe Scott?s Princeton offense ? a style which is predicated on patience.
The Pioneers ranked 349th out of 351 NCAA Division I teams in adjusted tempo at 63.4 possessions per 40 minutes.
?It?s tedious,? Adams said of guarding the Princeton offense. ?You?ve got to be as mentally sharp as you are physically.?
The downside to using that style of offense is that the new 30-second shot clock can be detrimental.
So as slow as Denver plays, UW may attempt to slow it down even more by utilizing soft, three-quarter-court pressure.
?I think this year that?ll be our mentality to sit down and focus on defense,? Washington said. ?But we?re going to try to mix in some presses, not really trying to pressure but more to take some time off the clock so they start with a shorter shot clock and they can?t look at all the options they have in their offense.?
UW won?t be the first team to try out that formula.
Other opponents have done the same this season.
The Pioneers boast a 5-1 record, and have won five in a row since opening the season with a loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Nov. 13.
?It is a very good team,? Shyatt said. ?I think what?s always underscored and perhaps underrated is the tenacity they play on defense. ... That is usually underestimated because of the (offensive) system he is running. I not only think they are doing well at 5-1, with five wins in a row, on the offensive end, but it?s tough to score against them and get the shots that you want.?
To get shots, Shyatt hopes the Cowboys (4-2) can find success in transition, when open shots will be more readily available.
?But if they close the door and make it very difficult, after that, I don?t care who you are, you?ve got to work to get some good looks,? Shyatt said.
Inside the confines of the University of Denver?s home gym, UW has lost six straight games, including two under coach Larry Shyatt. The Cowboys haven't won there since Nov. 26, 2001.
?Specifically, I remember that arena being a little colder than normal. I think it?s like a hockey arena or something,? said redshirt sophomore guard Trey Washington III, who played there as a true freshman in 2013.
In total, the home team has won 13 consecutive contests in the series.
Last year, the Pokes rolled to a 68-42 victory at the Arena-Auditorium.
In 2013, former UW star and current Los Angeles Laker Larry Nance Jr. went off for 38 points in a 64-61 setback.
?We lost that game despite a tremendous effort by Larry,? UW senior guard Josh Adams said.
In 2011, the Pioneers pulled out a 57-46 home win.
?It could be system-driven, personnel-driven, but the two teams we?ve had here the last years came up short,? Shyatt said.
Wyoming will encounter longtime Denver coach Joe Scott?s Princeton offense ? a style which is predicated on patience.
The Pioneers ranked 349th out of 351 NCAA Division I teams in adjusted tempo at 63.4 possessions per 40 minutes.
?It?s tedious,? Adams said of guarding the Princeton offense. ?You?ve got to be as mentally sharp as you are physically.?
The downside to using that style of offense is that the new 30-second shot clock can be detrimental.
So as slow as Denver plays, UW may attempt to slow it down even more by utilizing soft, three-quarter-court pressure.
?I think this year that?ll be our mentality to sit down and focus on defense,? Washington said. ?But we?re going to try to mix in some presses, not really trying to pressure but more to take some time off the clock so they start with a shorter shot clock and they can?t look at all the options they have in their offense.?
UW won?t be the first team to try out that formula.
Other opponents have done the same this season.
The Pioneers boast a 5-1 record, and have won five in a row since opening the season with a loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Nov. 13.
?It is a very good team,? Shyatt said. ?I think what?s always underscored and perhaps underrated is the tenacity they play on defense. ... That is usually underestimated because of the (offensive) system he is running. I not only think they are doing well at 5-1, with five wins in a row, on the offensive end, but it?s tough to score against them and get the shots that you want.?
To get shots, Shyatt hopes the Cowboys (4-2) can find success in transition, when open shots will be more readily available.
?But if they close the door and make it very difficult, after that, I don?t care who you are, you?ve got to work to get some good looks,? Shyatt said.
