Colorado State basketball coach Dale Layer, with his team off to a 1-4 Mountain West Conference start that reflects an imbalanced home-road schedule, found support from his next opponent – Wyoming coach Steve McClain.
“They played four of five on the road and anybody who would have had to do that might be sitting in the same situation,” McClain said during Monday’s MWC coaches teleconference. “On the other side of it, they have four of their next five at home.”
Wyoming comes into Moby Arena on Wednesday. Layer admits the road losses have taken a toll on his team’s confidence. CSU has played half of its road conference games. Five other MWC teams haven’t won a league road game but Layer is dwelling more on the road hangover than the upcoming home schedule.
“I don’t think there’s any question that when you lose, your confidence goes down,” Layer said. “When you played such a tough road schedule it doesn’t help in any way, shape or form. Our confidence is down now and whether it can get back in time for Wednesday, I don’t know. If you lose your confidence, you lose your rhythm.”
The Rams will have starting point guard Cory Lewis back after a one-game suspension for throwing a punch last week at UNLV’s Dustin Villepigue. Layer said not having Lewis against TCU hurt the Rams.
“We missed his leadership and decision making,” Layer said.
The Rams (12-6) don’t get on an airplane again until the Feb. 15 date at Utah. A bus ride to Air Force on Feb. 1 is the only road date in the next five games.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
