Cowboys Open 2022-23 Season Hosting Colorado Christian

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Press Release) - The Wyoming Cowboys open the 2022-23 campaign on Monday evening hosting Colorado Christian in the Arena-Auditorium in a 7 p.m. start. It is the start of the third season of the Jeff Linder era, as Wyoming is 80-37 all-time in season openers and have won 16 of their last 18 openers to a season.

Fans can listen to the watch the contest, as well as follow stats on GoWyo.com The contest will be broadcast live on radio over the 26 affiliate stations of the Cowboy Sports Network, as Reece Monaco will have the call with Kevin McKinney on color.

The contest will be on the Mountain West Network with David Settle on the call joined by former Cowboy guard Steve Gosar.

About The Teams

The Cowboys were picked to finish second in the Mountain West in the Preseason Poll released in October. The poll marked the first time the Cowboys have ranked in the top two of the Preseason Poll since the 2002-03 and 2001-02 seasons. Wyoming recorded 24 wins during the regular season in 2021-22 for the most in a regular season since the Pokes recorded 24 during the 1951-52 campaign. Along with 85 percent of the scoring returning, the Cowboys return 84 percent of the rebounding from last season. Wyoming led the conference in defensive rebounds per game last season at 27.4 per game.

Offensively, the Pokes were one of the MW’s teams getting to the free throw line leading the conference with 669 attempts and 485 makes. The Cowboys also led the conference with 275 made three-pointers, which ranked fourth in single-season school history.

The Cougars finished last season with an 8-20 overall record and went 5-17 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference under third year head coach Liam Simmons. Colorado Christian was picked to finish 13th in the Preseason RMAC poll.

About The Players

Wyoming returns two players in forward Graham Ike and guard Hunter Maldonado who earned Preseason All-MW honors. Ike was also named the MW Preseason Player of the Year but will miss an extended period of time with an injury. In all, Wyoming returns four starters and eight letterwinners to go along with two redshirts. The Cowboys welcomed five new players including a trio of transfers and two freshmen.

Maldonado was a First Team All-Mountain West selection averaging 18.5 points per game to go along with 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per night. He became Wyoming’s all-time leader in assists in the closing games of last season, as he ranked No. 5 in the nation in helpers. Other returning starters include forward Jeremiah Oden had a strong season for the Pokes in his second season with the Program. He appeared in all 34 games and started 32 on the season. He averaged 7.8 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds per contest. He shot 52 percent from the field for the season. Guard Xavier DuSell played in 30 games with 20 starts on the season. DuSell added 7.5 points per game to go along with 2.3 rebounds and one assists per game. He ranked second on the team connecting on 54 three pointers and has 111 in his career.

Colorado Christian returns one of their top players in guard DJ McDonald. McDonald started 26 games last year for CCU and was the team’s second leading scorer as he averaged just under 15 points a game. He also led the team in assists. Isaiah Alonzo also returns, as he averaged just over 10 points per game along with 8.5 rebounds per night.

About The Series

Wyoming is 1-0 all-time against Colorado Christian earning a 67-60 win over the Cougars in the Arena-Auditorium on December 5, 2016.

Up Next

The Cowboys host defending Southland Conference regular season champion Nicholls on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Arena-Auditorium