It’s over, LARAMIE: The surprise.
With Wyoming ranked 10th going into the season, UNLV was completely focused on the team during Saturday’s disappointing 62-48 loss at the Thomas & Mack Center.
At the halfway point of the conference race, the Cowboys (12-10, 5-4) are currently tied for fifth place with the Rebels and rival Colorado State.
After starting the first half with a 4-0 home record and a 1-4 road record, UW will play five home games and four road games in the second half.
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on MW Network, Jeff Linder’s team takes on No. 25 New Mexico at the Arena-Auditorium.
Linder remarked, “I think our guys are getting better.” “I think everything is trending in the right direction just by observing them in action—the belief and the energy. We’re obviously disappointed in UNLV’s effort, but in the last month since returning and beginning conference play, I believe everyone has a better understanding of this team.
With Akuel Kot’s buzzer-beaters against San Jose State and Fresno State, as well as his comeback from an 11-point deficit in the final 1:11 of regulation to stun CSU in overtime, the Pokes have worked some magic in the Dome of Doom.
One of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, UW, will need to regain its shooting consistency after going 4-for-25 from beyond the arc against UNLV.
Mason Walters, who was double-teamed in the post the entire UNLV game and limited to six points, Linder said, made the right choices that set up good looks for the perimeter guard.
Nevertheless, with a combined 3-for-14 shooting performance, Sam Griffin and Akuel Kot ended up with 15 points, 7 assists, and 1 turnover.
With the way we’re playing, you’re going to have their whole attention,” Linder remarked. Therefore, it’s a different feeling for our guys now. You won’t get a UNLV team that simply decides to show up and defeat these opponents.
They had it down pat. Not that we weren’t, but defeating strong teams on the road requires a particular kind of focus and intensity.
The Lobos (18-4, 6-3) will aim to win the regular-season series and recover from their season’s first loss at the Pit, an 86-78 loss to Boise State last Wednesday.
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