Shearing the sheep
Jackie Gleason used to say, "How sweet it is!"
Of course, if you are of the MTV/VH-1 generation, just ask your parents who Jackie Gleason is.
Maybe is should be, "How sweep it is." But sweetness sums up the feeling for Wyoming fans after a season sweep of Colorado State in basketball -- for the men and women. It is the Cowboys' second straight regular-season sweep of the Rams, and the first time a multi-year sweep has been done since the 2001-2003 seasons, when Wyoming swept them three straight years.
It's also the fourth straight year that the Cowgirls have swept the Rams.
Not only were the games for bragging rights between the Border War rivals, but they were also important for both the Cowboys and Cowgirls, as they close the final stretch run of the conference season.
With the win, the Cowboys won't be in the play-in game at the league tournament, which they were last year and lost to the Rams. The worst Wyoming could do is finish seventh, with the No. 8 and 9 teams in the play-in game.
With a very winnable final road game at Air Force on Saturday and two home contests to close things out, the Cowboys have a great opportunity to finish with some momentum heading into the league tournament. That type of finish could also lead into some sort of postseason play, whether it is the NIT or the other new tournaments.
For a young program that is just going to get better in the future, that would be a major plus.
The young Cowgirls are in much of the same boat as the Cowboys. Wyoming has a good chance to finish in sixth place in this rebuilding year of a very strong league. Their chances of postseason play are slimmer, but there is always hope.
As with the Cowboys, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't expect the Cowgirls rebuilding phase to be very long, as the young talent is growing with experience every game. A respectable finish will only help the program.
Odds and ends
The Rams had another tough night in the A-A on Wednesday, losing to the Cowgirls, and their stay was even longer than expected. The CSU bus broke down.
Several CSU players spent the time waiting for a new ride working on homework, with some of them sprawled across the A-A floor. As of Thursday afternoon, the CSU bus was still parked at the top of the A-A ramp.
The Cowboys and head coach Heath Schroyer showed exuberant emotion after beating the Rams in Moby Arena. Schroyer pointed and thanked the Wyoming faithful in the stands and gave freshman Afam Muojeke and senior Brandon Ewing engulfing hugs moments after the win. Ewing, in what could be his final game against the hated rivals, enjoyed another sweep and Muojeke, like all Cowboy youngsters, is beginning to understand what it means for Wyoming to beat Colorado State.
Ironically, both Muojeke and Ewing were perfect in the final seconds on the free-throw line with the CSU student section slobbering in the background. Whether it was on purpose or not, Muojeke gave a little smile to the CSU fams -- a bit Fennis Demboish -- just before he swished his two free throws.
If I never have to listen to Marty Fletcher ever again on The Mtn., I will be a happy man.
Of course, if you are of the MTV/VH-1 generation, just ask your parents who Jackie Gleason is.
Maybe is should be, "How sweep it is." But sweetness sums up the feeling for Wyoming fans after a season sweep of Colorado State in basketball -- for the men and women. It is the Cowboys' second straight regular-season sweep of the Rams, and the first time a multi-year sweep has been done since the 2001-2003 seasons, when Wyoming swept them three straight years.
It's also the fourth straight year that the Cowgirls have swept the Rams.
Not only were the games for bragging rights between the Border War rivals, but they were also important for both the Cowboys and Cowgirls, as they close the final stretch run of the conference season.
With the win, the Cowboys won't be in the play-in game at the league tournament, which they were last year and lost to the Rams. The worst Wyoming could do is finish seventh, with the No. 8 and 9 teams in the play-in game.
With a very winnable final road game at Air Force on Saturday and two home contests to close things out, the Cowboys have a great opportunity to finish with some momentum heading into the league tournament. That type of finish could also lead into some sort of postseason play, whether it is the NIT or the other new tournaments.
For a young program that is just going to get better in the future, that would be a major plus.
The young Cowgirls are in much of the same boat as the Cowboys. Wyoming has a good chance to finish in sixth place in this rebuilding year of a very strong league. Their chances of postseason play are slimmer, but there is always hope.
As with the Cowboys, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't expect the Cowgirls rebuilding phase to be very long, as the young talent is growing with experience every game. A respectable finish will only help the program.
Odds and ends
The Rams had another tough night in the A-A on Wednesday, losing to the Cowgirls, and their stay was even longer than expected. The CSU bus broke down.
Several CSU players spent the time waiting for a new ride working on homework, with some of them sprawled across the A-A floor. As of Thursday afternoon, the CSU bus was still parked at the top of the A-A ramp.
The Cowboys and head coach Heath Schroyer showed exuberant emotion after beating the Rams in Moby Arena. Schroyer pointed and thanked the Wyoming faithful in the stands and gave freshman Afam Muojeke and senior Brandon Ewing engulfing hugs moments after the win. Ewing, in what could be his final game against the hated rivals, enjoyed another sweep and Muojeke, like all Cowboy youngsters, is beginning to understand what it means for Wyoming to beat Colorado State.
Ironically, both Muojeke and Ewing were perfect in the final seconds on the free-throw line with the CSU student section slobbering in the background. Whether it was on purpose or not, Muojeke gave a little smile to the CSU fams -- a bit Fennis Demboish -- just before he swished his two free throws.
If I never have to listen to Marty Fletcher ever again on The Mtn., I will be a happy man.
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