Welcome! Let's chat some Pokes.
I think Wyoming will be somewhere in the 15-17 win range. It really depends a lot on post development. There's not much experience there, and defensively I thought the big men played OK against Fort Lewis, but there wasn't much offensive production from them. It'll be hard for UW — not known for outside shooting — to win a lot of games without some solid inside play.
As for a record, I'll predict 17-15, which would allow the Pokes to make a postseason tourney. Maybe the CIT or CBI. NIT would be a nice accomplishment.
No way. That has to be the 1923 team. It went 0-8 and only scored 16 points all season.
Seriously, that team was bad. Outscored 265-16 on the year.
Who's attending the basketball game tomorrow night?
I think UW has a good chance. He's friends with two other guys with UW offers, Samuta Avea and Trevin Knell. Especially close with Avea. I could see both of them potentially coming here. They took an unofficial together, along with Knell and Tennessee prep point guard Parker Stewart.
Thompson is holding off right now to see what other offers come, though. He's dreamed of playing for Kansas since he was very young, so if the Jayhawks offer, then it'd be tough for UW to get him.
I have a feeling he doesn't, just because SDSU's rush defense is so tough. But at any moment Hill can go off for 200-plus, so it wouldn't surprise me one bit. He needs 128 yards and he's rushed for that six times this year already. I hope he breaks it, strictly because Ryan Christopherson will be in attendance on Saturday.
I'll go with Alan Herndon. Didn't see a ton from him in the exhibition — by design — but Shyatt's liked his progression and expects him to play big minutes.
I'd certainly say in the top half. I mean, men's basketball is coming off an NCAA appearance, volleyball has been ranked this year, women's tennis reached the conference championship match last year. Women's basketball is no slouch. There's obviously room to grow, but I think there's been success on the playing field. Football is a big eye sore, but that's not an overnight fix.
As far as facilities, on the whole Wyoming is certainly going to be up there. The renovation to the AA makes it respectable. The HATC will be a great addition and a huge recruiting tool. There have been other recent additions as well, between tennis and golf.
I'm working on a story on the $5 million Cowboy Joe Club match and its future. It's been a game-changer, and if it continues I think all of these sports will have a chance to really continue to grow. If not, it could hurt.
Thanks, TS. I'll pass that along. I unfortunately have very little expertise in web design.
As far as Conway and Moemeka, those were the two I expected to redshirt. Their positions are pretty saturated. Conway is behind Washington and Lieberman. Moemeka has Herndon and Dalton in front of him, along with a few other guys who can play the four.
It'll help balance the future recruiting classes, too. In three years, they'll have six spots to fill, if none of the current sophomores transfer. Now they won't have to follow that up with four more the following year.
Justin James, hands down. The kid is going to be a special player. Someone close to the program told me if he doesn't make the NBA, it won't be because he doesn't have the talent. So it's really just up to him to put the work in. I'm excited to see him in game action tomorrow.
Got a few minutes left, any last questions?
I don't know much about the smaller schools, but in Class 4A I'll predict a bit of revenge, with Sheridan coming out on top.
UNLV, according to most recruiting outlets. They've got a couple potential one-and-done guys. Personally, I'd say SDSU has the better class because those kids will have more of an impact on the program long-term.
I thought Trey would start that game, and I think he should start this one. Shyatt told me he doesn't want the starting lineup to be a big deal. It'll be Adams, Herndon and McManamen, and then the other two spots will likely change a decent amount.
But I think their best five is Trey, Adams, J-Mac, Herndon and JB.
OK, I've got to pre-record a radio spot in a minute so I'm going to cut this one short. Thanks for joining! I'll be covering the basketball game tomorrow night and then I believe I'll be the only Wyoming media out in San Diego on Saturday.
Thanks again, and as always, please keep reading the Casper Star-Tribune.