John Luke Fabian
Jfabian1@uwyo.edu
Twitter: @HouseFabian
Over the weekend, the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team held a scrimmage that was open to the public. Cowboy basketball fans got to have their first look at the team since the defending Mountain West Champions were playing in the NCAA tournament.
“Not a bad start, we definitely have a lot to work on still, but we have got some time to work on that and they are all fixable things,” senior guard Josh Adams said.
The team was split into two different teams of gold and white for the scrimmage. It began with the team working on individual position drills and then moving into more of a basketball game being played. The teams went through different game situations and plays with two referees present to give the event a real feel.
Larry Shyatt would watch the scrimmage and blow a whistle to stop the action if he wanted to make a teaching point. He would sit in the stands watching and then come running in and blow his whistle to bring praise or critique a play.
“My goals were, let’s learn to sprint back on defense, not trot back, sit down and try to keep people in front of you,” Shyatt said. “Early in the scrimmage we did not do that, we gave up three lay ups. As the scrimmage lasted a little longer I thought we did a pretty good job.”
The Cowboys are entering the year with one returning starter and one senior, which happens to be Josh Adams. Players who did not get much playing time last year, will definitely see their minutes increase beginning with this scrimmage. Wyoming has eight newcomers to the team who will also look to compete for minutes to help out the team. This scrimmage was the first time these guys could show off their talents in front of a Cowboy crowd.
“It was great. I have always known, even before I came here, that Wyoming has such a great fan base. In order to play good in front of the fans was such a blessing. I believe we have the best fan support in the country,” freshman guard Austin Conway said.
Saturday’s scrimmage was also the first time redshirt sophomore guard Trey Washington III had seen playing time in front of a crowd in over a year. Washington sat out last season due to an ankle injury that he sustained during the preseason last year.
“It is kind of rough, but you have so much time during that redshirt year to keep that groove going. Once the summer comes you rejoin the team and you gain that chemistry and it just flows right into October and November,” Washington said.
Wyoming will open the season on Nov. 7 with an exhibition game against Fort Lewis. The game will be in Laramie and game time is still yet to be determined.
Cowboy basketball gives fans a taste for the upcoming season
