BS on Basketball: Midway through the non-conference schedule

Wyoming has played 8 games that count so far, and sit at a very respectable 6-2. The biggest takeaway I've got to this point is that improvement is IMMEDIATE on this year's squad. If the staff sees something they don't like, they jump all over it and it's fixed by the next game. Here are my thoughts up to this point:

• Leland Walker is a star. The latest MW Player of the Week had a slow start to the season, likely due to this being an almost entirely new team. Those early struggles were to be expected while these guys learn to play together. Since then he's been the breakout star of the team. He doesn't NEED to be the main scorer every game like Obi did last year, but he's certainly welcomed the challenge. In the last 5 games he's put up the following stat line:
  • 28 minutes per game
  • 19.6 points per game
  • 4.2 assists per game
  • 2 turnovers per game
  • 51.1% field goal percentage
  • 83.3% free throw shooting (hasn't missed in 3 games)
    
• The bench is deep. There are 12 players that see the court every game. 14 saw the court against Denver. The only players that don't see regular minutes are the 2 walk-ons (Spielman and Taylor) and Neil Summers, who is redshirting. Wyoming is currently 7th in all of Division 1 with 41.1 bench points per game. That's especially eye opening when you realize the starters put up 44 points per game. Having 12 players that you can rely on makes Wyoming a hell of a tough team to scout, and it shows every game. There's no one player you can key on because there are 8 players that can score at a high rate.
  
  
• There is consistency in the lineups. No more do we see a different starting lineup every game. The same 5 players have started all 8 games this season (Walker, Dennis, Bennett, Belic, Magassa). We will likely see a different lineup at some point this season, but the staff has a plan and that plan is working. The first 2 players off the bench each game are Naz Meyer and Gavin Gores, both freshman. Interestingly enough, Meyer and Gores get more playing time each game than Belic and Magassa. That probably has to do with Belic and Magassa being in foul trouble every game.
  
  
• Offensive rebounding is a strength. For a small team, the Pokes rebound at a very high level. They're currently grabbing 12.4 offensive rebounds per game, which is tops in the Mountain West and tied for 43rd in the country. Matija Belic is leading the way with 16 offensive rebounds this season. Right behind him is Khaden Bennett (a 6'4" guard) with 15. Bennett is pacing the Pokes with 5.3 overall rebounds per game.
  
  
• Defense is elite. Wyoming is tops in the country in 3 point shots allowed per game at 4.1 and opponent 3 point percentage at 21.6%. Opponents shoot at a 40.2% clip, which is 57th in the country and tops in the Mountain West. RP40 is more than just a saying in Laradise. It has been ingrained in the play style of the team.

Miscellaneous Notes:
The Mountain West conference has announced its Men's Basketball Freshman of the week 4 times this season so far. Twice it has been Naz Meyer. Once Gavin Gores.
Wyoming came out ranked surprisingly high in the initial NET rankings (#59)