After scoring the most points in a game since November of 2018, the Tar Heels turn their attention to an undefeated Wyoming team. Can North Carolina make it three straight wins to start the season or will the Cowboys pull the upset?
Wyoming Cowboys
All-time Record
1,642–1,301, 9-21 in 16 tournament appearances including a National Championship in 1943, last appearance 2022
Best Former player
Unlike Wofford, Wyoming has had a couple of notable alumni and this choice came down between Larry Nance Jr and Theo Ratliff.
However, I ultimately went with Ratliff who finished his 16 year career with 5,809 points, 4,596 rebounds, and 1,968 blocks. The former NBA All-Star, led the league in blocks three times and was a second All-NBA defensive team member twice. Ratliff ranks 21st overall in career blocks right behind of all people Larry Nance Sr.
Head Coach
Sundance Wicks. Giltner, a former Northern State player who led the Wolves to two NSIC conference titles, is at third head coaching stop with the Cowboys after having previously coached at Missouri Western and Green Bay. Wicks is in third season with Wyoming where he has compiled a 32-35 record (he is 80-81 overall) and a 14-26 record in the Mountain West Conference.
Last Season
Last season, Wyoming went 18-15 and 9-11 in the MWC finishing ninth. The Cowboy’s season ended in the first round of the NIT with a 74-70 loss to Wichita State in the first round.
This Season
This Season, the Cowboys are currently 2-0 with wins over the DII Regis Rangers and the Big Sky’s Idaho Vandals. Wyoming is averaging 94 ppg while allowing only 55 ppg.
Players of Note
Two players the Tar Heels should be focused on are guards Nasir Meyer and Khaden Bennett. Both Meyer and Bennett played for Wyoming last season averaging double digit points and the two are currently one and two on the team this season in scoring and rebounds with both averaging right around 14 points and six rebounds per game.
So the question right now is which UNC team is more legit? The one that struggled greatly against Western Carolina or the one the blew through Wofford? That question probably wont be answered in this game and the Tar Heels luck out that the Cowboys only have two players over 6’9 and neither averages more than 16 minutes per game so far this season. If North Carolina can use this game to continue developing depth and confidence on the boards and take care of business early, they should improve to 3-0 for the second season in a row.
What do you think about the Tar Heels’ next opponent? Let us know in the comments below.
