Wyoming ready to unleash its run-and-gun offense

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999 | 10:43 a.m.

Cowboys

Nickname: Cowboys

Coach: Steve McClain

Coach's record at school: 18-10 (1 year)

Returning starters: 5

Player to watch: Ugo Udezue (20.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg)

Player they'll miss: None

Key newcomer: Aaron Abrams

Marquee game: At Indiana, Dec. 18

Media poll projection: 4th

Listen to Wyoming head coach Steve McClain talk and it won't take long to figure out who some of his biggest influences are.

"I don't think we'll ever play as quick as I want us to," McClain said. "I want to see us average 95-100 points in league play."

Spoken like a true Horned Frog.

McClain spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Christian University under head coach Billy Tubbs, whose team ran at all costs.

It's obvious McClain studied Tubbs' tendencies. Last year in his first season as head coach of the Cowboys, McClain was able to transfer that philosphy to his own team.

More importantly, it worked.

Under McClain, the Cowboys ranked 10th in the nation in scoring with an average of 81.6 points, amassed 18 wins and made it to the second round of the NIT.

With five starters, including preseason Mountain West Conference first team selection Ugo Udezue, and 10 players returning, there are plenty of reasons for McClain to be optimistic.

"We have a nice nucleus back and two freshmen that add athleticism to the team," McClain said. "Both freshman, Aaron Abrams and Marc Bailey, are expected to play a lot and could challenge for starting spots.

"With this group back, we should be in a position to return to the post-season."

But don't think McClain is talking about the NIT.

Udezue, who averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds, anchors a team that will continue to run opponents ragged for several reasons.

"People say altitude doesn't affect anybody," McClain said of visiting teams. "Well, that's not true.

"I see people are stopping to take drinks and catch their breath when they play us. We must use everything to our advantage."

Assessing the Cowboys, the backcourt is the team's strength.

At the shooting guard spot, Bailey is a nice addition.

Bailey averaged 28.4 points at Cheyenne's East High while makng 53 percent of his 3-pointers and 56 percent from the field overall. If he doesn't become a starter, he will at least challenge senior Anthony Blakes in practice.

Abrams can play at the small forward or shooting guard positions.

But the heart of the Cowboys' backcourt is sophomore point guard Chris McMillian.

As a freshman, McMillian started every game and ranked third in the WAC in assists with 4.6 a game. He trailed only UNLV's Mark Dickel and New Mexico's John Robinson in that category.

The question mark for Wyoming remains in the frontcourt.

The hope is that sophomore Josh Davis and senior LeDarion Jones will both be improved enough to help out on the boards.

Davis was slowed by ankle injuries and Jones had knee surgery in the off-season.

That's where Abrams will be needed most, provided he can learn McClain's system quickly enough.

Even though the Cowboys were picked to finish fourth in the MWC, they could finish higher, provided they stay healthy. MWC PREVIEWS: WYOMING