From an AF fan......this will be a tough match for both team. Hope safe travels to anyone heading down to the game. Here's my thoughts on the matchup plus newslinks for both AF and Wyoming....GO FALCONS
All the stats and newslinks won't transfer here in the right format so for my full blog at
http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
With that said, this is a big game for our Falcons as they start the next three game season. Coach P, his staff and the players are looking at their MWC season as a series of three-game seasons to try to focus on one part at a time for a very young Falcon team. They went 2-1 and 1-2 in their first two mini seasons and now begin their next three game season home tonight versus Wyoming (followed by a bye, then on the road at Boise State and Nevada). With this being the only home game in this 3-game stretch, it is a must win for Air Force.
An interesting matchup of styles in this game as both teams are playing deliberate basketball on offense with emphasis on defense, but with Wyoming have the upper hand at this time in holding their opponents in check in their offensive output. A look at the numbers both in conference and for the season:
stats here....
Wyoming is playing a very deliberate motion offense under Coach Larry Shyatt. It is not the Princeton but displays many attribute that Falcon fans will recognize from watching AF since they began running the Princeton. Perimeter play with passing and cuts will be emphasized attempting to find the open shot or lull the defense into stretching toward the perimeter then looking for the open inside man either cutting to the basket or running the baseline. And they have a terrific weapon to do that in scoring leader Larry Nance Jr (6'8"/225#/Jr/16ppg/9rpg). Guards play is solid with Adams (6'2"/12ppg) and Grabau their 3-point shooter (6'2"/11ppg/48% 3pt on 40-83 3's....as a comparison Tre' Coggins for our Falcons 45% on 46-103 3's). They are similar to AF as they normally play 8 deep, however getting more points from the three off the bench getting 17 out of 67 pts in their last game (beating SJSU at Wyoming 67-56, AF beat SJSU at home also 72-62 with 23 TO's). Two interesting notes: 1) Wyoming has been out rebounded in all 4 MWC games. AF has won the rebounding stats in 4 of their 6 MWC games. 2) Wyoming's Nance in leading the MWC in blocked shots per game.
A must win for the Falcons, period...dot. And to do that they must focus and take care of the ball. With both team playing patient offenses the team that takes care of the ball may well have the upper hand. The interesting thing in the matchup may well be tempo and the fact that AF (don't be surprised at this comment) may be the faster team. Coach P's philosophy has been to push the tempo up the floor to look for the quick shot and/or (maybe more importantly) push the ball to deny the opponent's defense the opportunity to set up their defense as quick or to pressure the ball in the back court.
Air Force must go inside-out. It was never more apparent than watching last week's game vs CSU. In the first half the Falcons simply accepted more outside shots versus going inside. In this second half you saw more of the penetration and then the kickout (if no shot was available) for a better looking three and it showed in 3pt % with 23% 3's in the first half but 40% for the second half. They cannot be afraid of Nance and must attack.
Guard the arc. Wyoming has 3 very good outside shooters and they will to use that to lure the Falcons out. We must not give the open look and make them take contested shots while not forgetting Nance inside. Tough job but lock down defense will be a key.
I am getting bored saying, like a broken record, we must get points off the bench. It's time....need I say more?
If 'any' cadets read this blog or if anyone knows cadets in Section 8 then pass this along. We need the support of the student body. We need Section 8 at this game. We need the fans to get involved. This is YOUR team, get out and support them!
Big game, tough game.....BEAT WYOMING
Newslinks here.............