Wyoming Cowboy point guard Josh Adams was named to the Mountain West pre-season 1st team today at Mountain West media days. Adams, the reigning Mountain West tournament MVP will look to build on that success as the Pokes’ lone senior starter. (Photo via Jerrad Anderson, Townsquare Media)

Mountain West media days for men’s basketball got underway today in Las Vegas. With the media days now upon us the basketball season is also very near. The Mountain West released their preseason rankings and they have the Wyoming Cowboys finishing 8th in the league this season. The Cowboys will look to replace four of their five starters from last season. Larry Nance Jr, Riley Grabau, Charles Hankerson, and Derek Cooke all graduated last year. The only returning starter for the Cowboys will be Josh Adams, a senior. Replacing that kind of production won’t be easy, but there are some very capable players on the roster to give it their best shot.

San Diego State was picked as the conference champion, followed by Boise State and Utah State. The Aztecs and Cowboys played in last year’s Mountain West championship game. The Cowboys won that contest and earned the Mountain West’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Pokes were eliminated in the second round by Northern Iowa.

Also of note from media days was the Pokes’ Josh Adams was selected as a Mountain West 1st team pick. Adams, the lone returning starter from last year’s squad will be at the point for the Cowboys this season. Adams averaged 12.8 points per game, and 3.6 assists per game. Adams was named the Mountain West tournament MVP. Adams is three assists away from jumping into the top 10 in Wyoming history, and eight steals shy of moving into the top 10.

The Cowboys will open the season with an exhibition game on November 7th vs. Fort Lewis College. The Pokes will unveil their championship banner before the game. This weekend before the Nevada homecoming game the Pokes will host an intrasquad scrimmage in the AA.

2015-16 MW Preseason Media Poll
Rk. Team (First-Place Votes) Pts.
1. San Diego State (22): 272
2. Boise State (2): 234
3. Utah State: 190
4. UNLV: 185
5. Fresno State (1): 182
6. New Mexico: 164
7. Colorado State: 144
8. Wyoming: 101
9. Nevada: 97
10. Air Force: 51
11. San Jose State: 30

Preseason All-Mountain West
Josh Adams, Sr., G, Wyoming
Anthony Drmic, Sr., G/F, Boise State
Marvell Harris, Sr., G, Fresno State
Winston Shepard, Sr., F, San Diego State
James Webb III, Jr., F, Boise State

Preseason Player of the Year
Marvell Harris, Sr., G, Fresno State

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Tim Williams, Jr., F, New Mexico

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Stephen Zimmerman Jr., Fr., F, UNLV