Larry Nance Jr guards a player during the Cowboys vs SMU game earlier this season. Nance and the Cowboys return home this weekend to take on the New Mexico Lobos. (Photo via SI.com)

The Wyoming Cowboy basketball team is fresh off a quick stint in the AP top 25 and a win at Fresno State this past weekend. For the first time since 1988 the Cowboy basketball team made an appearance in the AP poll at the #25 slot. After a crushing home loss to rival San Diego State, and a victory on the road vs Fresno State the Pokes return home to face the New Mexico Lobos. The Lobos are 12-6 on the season, 4-2 in Mountain West play.

The Lobos will be without sophomore guard Cullen Neal who is seeking a medical hardship with a sprained ankle. The Cowboys, who pulled off an overtime thriller vs Fresno State is getting some much needed time off this week, having a bye during the week. On Saturday the Pokes are hoping to have the AA rocking to take on MW perennial power New Mexico.

The students should be back in town and the weather forecast for Saturday looks to be good for Poke fans traveling. So what does that mean for you? ROAD TRIP! The University athletic department is putting together some great fan events for Saturday’s game in an effort to sell out the dome. There really is no place on Earth quite like the Dome of Doom when it’s packed to the gills and a rival is in town. Remember, this game will be a 2:00pm start, and will air on ESPN3 for those of you not able to attend the game. Here’s the lineup of events the athletic department has planned for Saturday:

Fan Appreciation Day – Fans can enter a raffle to win one of five iPads or one of two 42’’ TVs. The raffle will occur during the game. Fans can sign-up at the marketing table located outside of Portal 2 (Arena-Auditorium concourse). Sign-ups will start during pregame and conclude at the 16 minute media timeout in the 1^st half.

Cowboy Pregame Event – Open to the public, in the UniWyo Sports Complex from noon to 1:30 p.m. Food, beverages and fun! Sponsored by Papa John’s, Roxie’s on Grand, Taco John’s and the Brown N Gold Outlet.

Coaches vs. Cancer as well as Suits and Sneakers – Sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Relay for Life will be on the concourse, accepting donations and taking team sign-ups.

This is going to be a terrific day for Wyoming athletics and what better way to welcome the Pokes home than to pack the Dome and make things uncomfortable for the visitors. Go Pokes!