Game 3 of McCasland's second year should be a stiffer test than the first two games. Wyoming is by no means a "good" team or even a particularly dangerous one but they are still a MWC team and about 100 spots higher in most efficiency rankings than the first two squads Tech has played up to this point. While they are a lower tiered MWC team that is still a different caliber of team than low major SWAC and Southland teams. And the whole Jeff Linder deal brings an interesting angle to this game. This game shouldn't be a tight one but it should tell us a bit more about Tech.
Wyoming by the numbers:
Wyoming by the numbers:
- 196th per Kenpom
- 209th on offense
- 187th on defense
- 150th per T-Rank
- 147th on offense
- 171st on defense
- 151st per Haslamtrics
- 156th on offense
- 124th on defense
- 326th fastest tempo in the country
- Obi Agbim - Guard, 6'3 180 - JUCO product in his 1st year at Wyoming from Ft. Lewis CC. Probably Wyoming's most dangerous scorer and might be the best guard Tech has faced up to this point. Adequate length but is thinly built. Has been scorching hot from the field to start this season. Very creative handle and footwork, and while Agbim is quick he is not going to blow by defenders but uses his ball skills and short area burst to create space. Has more of a set shot but gets it off quickly. Agbim is a threat to shoot off the catch and in transition off pull-ups. Craft in the midrange and has an effective pull up game. Will work in isolation and off of ball screens. Explosive when able to load up off 2 feet. Very successful and decorated JUCO player. Averaging 24.5 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 rpg.
- Jordan Nesbitt - Guard, 6'6 210 - Senior transfer from Hampton and former top 100 recruit for Memphis. Big and physical wing/guard. Has good physical tools and athleticism for his position. Will take the occasional jumper but is really looking to get downhill where he can utilize his physicality. Crafty passer in the interior. Historically a bad shooter and is only an "okay" finisher despite his athleticism. Plus, rebounder on both ends and can really go in transition. Defense waxes and wanes but can be impactful when locked in. Averaging 13 ppg, 11 rpg, 2.5 apg.
- Kobe Newton - Guard, 6'2 180 - the rare returner for Wyoming and a rotation player last year. Decent size for a MWC guard and is solidly built but underwhelming athletically. Solid all-around player. Decent handle but Newton won't be breaking anyone down off of the dribble and is a solid playmaker. Very clean shooting stroke and will run off of actions/screens to get 3 point looks. Plays some off and on ball. Averaging 11 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg.
- Dontaie Allen - Guard, 6'6 210 - Former Kentucky and WKU wing in his first year at Wyoming. Shooter. Struggling from the field so far this year but historically a dangerous shooter from deep. Exclusively a CnS/spot-up shooter. Has good size and a pretty shot. Not going to bring much to the table outside of shooting. Limited athletically. Averaging 4 ppg, 2 rpg.
- Cole Henry/Toiku Tainma/Abou Mgassa - Make up the bulk of the front court rotation. Henry is an efficient big from UNI who has been a minor rotation player so far in his career. Below average athlete but skilled and a solid finisher and passer. 6'9, 240 and averaging 9.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Has a nice lefty push shot and likes to work from the high post. Tainmo is another offense first big who transferred in from Denver University. More of a stretch big than anyone else on the roster. Not a knockdown shooter but will shoot a couple per game out of ball screens as the "popping" big. Ground bound but is a good offensive rebounder. 6'9 220 and averaging 9.5 ppg and 3.5 prg. Magassa is a French RS Freshman who transfers in from SLU. According to the Wyoming HC Magassa is an extremely versatile defender and the most athletic of this trio. Is the energy guy off the bench and while raw is a solid shot blocker. 6'8, 215 and averaging 5.5 ppg, 5 rpg and .5 bpg.
- Bully Inside - Tech has a marked advantage in the front court athletically and should be able to take advantage. JT Toppin should have a field day.
- Finish Them - Darrion really struggled to finish against NW State inside. Would love to see him turn that around here.
- No Slog - Tech's offense was disjointed, cramped and a bit of a slog during some points against NW State and Toppin frankly kept it from getting off the rails at times. Would love to see the spacing and movement get back on track tomorrow. And speaking of that...
- Please be healthy - Tech needs it's lead guard back. Would love to see this team with Hawkins tomorrow.
- Stop Penetration - So far this year Tech's guards haven't offered much resistance to opposing guards on defense. This needs to change ASAP.
