CHEYENNE, Wyo.—Wyoming gets another home game in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament when the Cowgirls host Colorado, but other than the crowd, the Cowgirls won’t have as much of a homecourt advantage as they normally enjoy.
The Cowgirls (24-8) host Colorado (17-15) in the third round of the WNIT at 7 p.m. Thursday in Laramie.
Boulder, Colo., is about 110 miles from Laramie.
“We’re happy only to be traveling two hours,” Colorado coach Linda Lappe said. “It’s always nice when you have a road trip that’s within driving range.”
Besides the relatively short commute for the Buffaloes, Wyoming coach Joe Legerski said Wednesday that the Cowgirls lose another key home court advantage.
“Playing at Wyoming, the altitude becomes a situation that affects teams, and with Colorado it’s not the same scenario,” Legerski said.
The Arena-Auditorium on the UW campus sits at about 7,220 feet elevation, while Boulder is about 5,430 feet.
The two teams used to play regularly but haven’t met since 2007.
Colorado is led by 6-foot-1 senior forward Brittany Spears, who is averaging 18.5 points and 8.2 rebounds a game.
Legerski said Spears presents a “very difficult matchup” for his team because of her ability to shoot and handle the ball.
Sophomore Chucky Jeffery, who comes off the bench most games, averages 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds.
“I like to have firepower off the bench and I think she definitely gives us that,” Lappe said.
Wyoming is led by 5-11 senior guard Aubrey Vandiver’s 19.1 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, followed by 6-3 senior forward Hillary Carlson’s 17 points and 7.1 rebounds.
Wyoming’s motion offense isn’t something Colorado has seen much of this season, Lappe said.
“They don’t beat themselves,” she said “They wait until you make a mistake, and when you make a mistake that’s when they try to go in for the kill.”
Legerski said the motion offense requires a team effort and he was pleased by the scoring balance in the win against Oklahoma State on Monday night.
“That’s very important for us to get more people involved rather than just Aubrey and Hillary,” he said.
