Andrew Pace
The Wyoming Cowboys basketball team has a rich history dating back to 1904. The team has experienced success over the years, including winning the 1943 NCAA championship under Hall of Fame coach Everett Shelton and star guard Ken Sailors. Since the Mountain West Conference was formed in 1999, Wyoming has won two conference titles and previously competed in other conferences, winning multiple championships. The Cowboys have made 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament, with their most recent recorded season record being 11-10 in the Mountain West Conference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | University of Wyoming |
| Team Name | Wyoming Cowboys |
| Current Record | 11-10 |
| Ranking | 7th in MWC |
| First Recorded Game | 1905 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 16 |
| Number of Conference Titles | 2 |
| Number of NCAA Championships | 1 (1943) |
| Number of Championships by Conference | Western Athletic Conference: 5, Skyline Conference: 8, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference: 1 |
| First Home Court | "Little Red Gym" |
| Second Home Court | Half Acre Gym |
| Current Home Court | Arena-Auditorium |
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What You'll Learn
Wyoming Cowboys basketball history
The history of the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team dates back to 1904 when a group called the "Laramie Town Team" challenged a team from the university to a game, which Wyoming won 17-5. The Cowboys became a dominant force in the 1930s under coach Willard "Dutch" Witte, who led the team to a 26-3 record in 1934 and was retroactively named the national champion by the Helms Foundation. Witte compiled a 134-51 record over nine seasons before stepping down in 1939.
Everett Shelton took over as head coach in 1939 and went on to become the winningest coach in Wyoming history during his 19-year tenure. Despite a slow start, Shelton's teams went on to win 20 or more games seven times. The 1942-43 season stands out as a landmark year for the Cowboys. Led by Ken or Kenny Sailors, who scored 16 points in the final, the team won the NCAA tournament, becoming the first from the Rocky Mountains to claim an NCAA title. Sailors was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and college basketball's Player of the Year in 1943 and again in 1946 after returning from World War II.
Under Shelton's guidance, the Cowboys made eight NCAA tournament appearances, although they only won one game outside of their triumphant 1943 run. After Shelton retired in 1959, Wyoming basketball entered a dormant period, with nine consecutive losing seasons from 1956 to 1964. Coach Bill Strannigan, who succeeded Shelton, had limited success, making just one NCAA Tournament appearance in 1967, where they suffered a lopsided loss to UCLA and Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
In recent years, the Cowboys have shown signs of resurgence. In the 2014-15 season, they finished with a 25-10 record, won the Mountain West Conference tournament, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Larry Nance Jr. became the first Wyoming player selected in the NBA draft since 1995 when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. The Cowboys also won the CBI tournament in 2016 under head coach Allen Edwards. The team's current home court is the Arena-Auditorium, which has provided them with a strong homecourt advantage since its opening in 1982.
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The team's most successful coaches
The University of Wyoming's men's basketball team, the Cowboys, has had a long and varied history, with many successful coaches over the years. The Cowboys' first recorded game was in 1905, but the program's beginnings can be traced back to 1904 when a group called the "Laramie Town Team" challenged a team from the university to a basketball game, which the latter won.
One of the most successful coaches in the team's history is Everett Shelton, who took over in 1939 and led the Cowboys to their first and only NCAA championship in 1943. Under Shelton's guidance, the team had a remarkable season, finishing with a record of 31-2. Shelton's teams would go on to win 20 or more games seven times during his 19-year career, making him the winningest coach in Wyoming history. The Cowboys also made eight NCAA tournament appearances under his leadership.
Another notable coach is Jim Brandenburg, who took over in 1978 and led the program to a resurgence. During his nine seasons with the Cowboys, they did not have a single losing season and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. Brandenburg guided the team to the Sweet 16 in 1987 before departing to coach at conference rival San Diego State.
More recently, Steve McClain took over the head coaching job in 2001 and led the Cowboys to three consecutive 20-win seasons, including conference titles in 2001 and 2002, and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2002. Following McClain's departure, Heath Schroyer was hired as head coach in 2007, but his tenure was short-lived as he was fired after the 2010-11 season. Larry Shyatt, who had previously coached the Cowboys in 1997-98, was hired again and led the team to their first 20-win season in nine years.
The Cowboys have had a number of other successful coaches throughout their history, including Benny Dees, who led the team to an impressive 26-6 record in his first year and an NCAA tournament appearance in 1988. Allen Edwards, the 21st head coach in program history, also had a successful first season, with the Cowboys going 23-15 and winning the CBI tournament.
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The team's most successful players
The University of Wyoming's men's basketball team, the Cowboys, has had a long and storied history, with several notable players who have achieved success on the court. Here is a look at some of the team's most successful players:
Ken Sailors
Ken Sailors is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated players in Wyoming Cowboys history. Under the leadership of Hall of Fame coach Everett Shelton, Sailors helped the Cowboys win the 1943 NCAA championship. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, scoring 16 points in the championship game against Georgetown. Sailors also pioneered the jump shot, which has since become a standard move in basketball. His achievements were recognised further as he was named college basketball's Player of the Year in 1943 and again in 1946, following his return from military service in World War II.
Larry Nance Jr.
Larry Nance Jr. made history for the Cowboys in the 2014-15 season. The team finished with an impressive 25-10 record, winning the Mountain West Conference tournament over San Diego State. Nance Jr.'s performance caught the eye of the Los Angeles Lakers, who selected him in the 2015 NBA draft. This made him Wyoming's first player drafted since Theo Ratliff in 1995.
Derek Shoecraft
Derek Shoecraft was a standout player for the Cowboys, earning the title of CHL Player of the Year during his senior year. His contributions didn't end at Wyoming, as he went on to play for Tennessee State and then Tiffin University. Shoecraft was part of a talented 2007 team that featured other notable players like Jon Edgington and Ahmad Frost.
Lonnie Grayson
Lonnie Grayson is a true Wyoming Cowboys legend, holding the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in the team's history with an impressive 1,518 points. He was a key member of the 2017 team, leading the Cowboys to a highly successful season alongside Jake Edmonds. Grayson's athletic prowess earned him a spot on the West Point (Army) basketball team.
Joey Edmonds
The Cowboys have produced many talented players over the years, and Joey Edmonds is certainly among them. He broke his brother Jake Edmonds' assist record during his career, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Joey had a stellar four-year career at Wyoming in both basketball and football. He continued his athletic pursuits at the University of Findlay, where he plays basketball.
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The team's home court advantage
The Wyoming Cowboys basketball team has a strong home-court advantage at the Arena-Auditorium (AA), which has been their home base since 1982. The AA has a seating capacity of 11,612, which provides a significant crowd and atmosphere for the Cowboys to feed off.
Prior to the AA, the Cowboys played at the Half Acre Gym from 1925 to 1951, with a much more intimate setting of just over 4,000 seats. During their time at the Half Acre Gym, the Cowboys compiled an impressive record of 222-44, laying the foundation for their home-court dominance.
The Cowboys' first-ever home court was a small, red-brick building known as the "Little Red Gym," which was replaced by the Half Acre Gym. The team's history at their various home courts has contributed to their reputation and strength as a team, with notable coaches and players adding to their legacy.
The Cowboys' success has been influenced by renowned coaches such as Everett Shelton, who led the team to their 1943 NCAA championship win, and Jim Brandenburg, whose tenure from 1978 to 1987 brought a resurgence to the program with four NCAA Tournament appearances. The team has also produced standout players like Ken Sailors, who pioneered the jump shot and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in their championship-winning campaign.
The combination of a passionate fan base, a suitable arena, and a history of strong performances has solidified the Wyoming Cowboys' home-court advantage, making them a force to be reckoned with on their home court.
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The team's recent performance
The Wyoming Cowboys basketball team has had a rich history dating back to 1904. The team's recent performance, however, has been a mix of successes and setbacks.
In the 2024-25 season, the Cowboys suffered a 62-58 loss to Fresno State, which snapped an 11-game losing streak. They also fell to New Mexico, with a score of 71-67, in a close game that saw Donovan Dent score 20 points. Despite these recent losses, the Cowboys have had some notable achievements in recent years.
In the 2014-15 season, the Cowboys finished with an impressive 25-10 record. They won the Mountain West Conference tournament, claiming victory over San Diego State by a tight margin of 45-43. This success built upon the foundation laid by former head coach Heath Schroyer, who led the team to three consecutive 20-win seasons from 2001 to 2003, including conference titles in 2001 and 2002, and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2002.
The Cowboys' first head coach, Witte, laid the groundwork for the team's early successes. When Everett Shelton took over in 1939, he guided the Cowboys to exceptional achievements. In the 1943 season, the team went 31-2 and won the NCAA tournament under his leadership. This era also witnessed the rise of Ken Sailors, who not only led the team to victory in the championship game but also introduced the jump shot, now a fundamental aspect of basketball.
The Cowboys experienced another resurgence under head coach Jim Brandenburg, starting in 1978. During his nine seasons with the team, they did not have a single losing season and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. In 1981, they achieved a remarkable 24-6 record and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, marking their first tournament appearance since 1967.
While the Cowboys have experienced ups and downs, they continue to strive for success and build upon their rich basketball history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wyoming Cowboys basketball team is ranked 7th in the Mountain West Conference (MWC).
The University of Wyoming men's basketball program began in 1904 when a group known as the "Laramie Town Team" challenged a team from the university to a basketball game. Wyoming won that game 17-5.
Wyoming has made a total of 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament, with their first appearance and win being in 1943.
The Arena-Auditorium, which seats 11,612, has been the home court for the Cowboy basketball team since 1982.
As of 2010-2011, Larry Shyatt is the head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team.
