Air Force Host Conference Leader Wyoming Cowboys

Time/TV - 12:00 p.m. on ROOT Sports

Series - Wyoming leads 73-34

Last Meeting - Air Force 55 Wyoming 53 on Feb. 25

Last Game - Air Force 53 New Mexico 49, Wyoming 59 Colorado State 48

The top two shooting teams in the Mountain West Conference square off today when the Wyoming Cowboys travel to Colorado Springs to face the Air Force Falcons. Both teams shoot 47.6 percent from the field this season, so effective offense should be at a premium Saturday afternoon.

Wyoming might or might not bring one of the nation's best players to town in senior forward Larry Nance Jr.. Nance has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and is questionable for the game. Forward Alan Herndon missed the Colorado State game with the same diagnosis. If Nance plays, the senior forward is averaging 16.3 points per game and 7.2 rebounds as well. The preseason player of the year has been dominating at times this season with his great all around game. Balancing the scoring punch for the Cowboys is guard Josh Adams, who is averaging 11.1 points per game. While Nance and Adams provide the main scoring punch for the Cowboys, it is the team defense that is the strength of the Wyoming program. The Cowboys only allow 53.6 points a game, which is the fourth best defensive statistic in the nation. This past week's win versus Colorado State was proof of their defensive dominance, as they held the Rams to 48 points, which is 24 points under their season average. The Cowboys have ridden their defense to an impressive 19-4 record.

For the Falcons (10-12 overall), the up and down season due to injuries and other unforeseen problems have allowed a young group of players to gain valuable experience, and the experience is starting to pay off in victories as the Falcons are coming off a huge upset of New Mexico this past Wednesday. The victory over the Lobos was keyed by the play of senior forward Marek Olesinski and his 18 points. Olesinski has really picked up offensive game as of late, and with the return of Max Yon from his personal leave, the Falcons will have two reliable scorers for the younger group to rely on. The growth of players like Hayden Graham, Zach Kocur and Trevor Lyons give the Falcons a chance to compete in 2015 and beyond.

Both teams are in competitive conference races. For the Cowboys,they are neck and neck with San Diego State for the conference lead. A victory over the Falcons is a must in the Wyoming book as they travel to San Diego State on the 11th. For Air Force, they have pulled ahead of Nevada into 9th place in the conference standings. Nevada travels to Air Force later in the month, but an upset over Wyoming would go a long way for the confidence of the cadets.