SEATTLE — The last time a Wyoming men’s basketball team had won 25 games in a season, legends Fennis Dembo and Eric Leckner were leading the 1987-88 Cowboys to 26 victories and putting the program on the national map of college hoops.
So it became especially difficult for Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt to say goodbye to five seniors, including four starters, Friday after a 71-54 loss to fifth-seeded Northern Iowa at KeyArena.
In fact, Shyatt couldn’t bring himself to do it. The outgoing seniors forever will remain Cowboys and Shyatt’s guys. The coach likes to remain in contact with former players after they move on to their calling in life.
“I’m going to miss coaching them on the floor, but I’m not going to miss them,” Shyatt said. “I’m not getting old. We’re going to spend some good times together and we’re going to share some more successes down the road.”
Two senior starters, forward Larry Nance Jr. and guard Riley Grabau, came in together as fuzzy-cheeked freshmen in 2011 as part of Shyatt’s first recruiting class after the coach’s return to Wyoming. Joining them was recruited walk-on Jack Bentz, who became especially valuable in practices for four years.
Guard Charles Hankerson Jr. transferred from Alabama and forward Derek Cooke Jr. played one season of junior college ball before becoming a Cowboy.
Wyoming played in a school-record four consecutive postseason tournaments, but this season was really special. The Cowboys had not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2002, and this marked only the second appearance in 26 years.
The Mountain West Tournament championship was Wyoming’s first conference tournament title since winning the 1988 WAC Tournament.
Prior to Shyatt’s return and the arrival of Nance and Grabau, Wyoming had compiled back-to-back 10-21 seasons under Heath Schroyer.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” Shyatt said. “I love these guys. I trust these guys. These guys are going to be successful when they leave Wyoming. Guys in our senior class are all going to graduate in May. That makes me proud too.”
Hankerson and Nance arrived at the postgame news conference crying. Only Grabau, showing the composure of a point guard, was able to answer questions without his voice breaking up. But Grabau’s swollen eyes gave it away. Emotions had gotten the best of all of them moments earlier in the locker room.
That’s how it is with college athletics. Teams become family. But they break up for good and then start anew.
“I’m so thankful to get this opportunity,” Hankerson said. “I’ve never in my life been around a group like this, a group that genuinely loves each other. I wish I had more to give the university.”
Wyoming’s program will go on. Shyatt said he is excited about the incoming recruiting class for next season. Those players include four current high school seniors: 5-foot-10 Austin Conway of Colorado state champion Overland High School; 6-6 Justin James of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; 6-8 Andrew Moemeka of Lake City, Fla.; and 6-9 Jordan Naughton of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Also added was a junior college player from Florida, 6-2 Morris Marshall.
That infusion of talent will bring excitement to the program. And Shyatt loves their potential.
But the outgoing seniors won’t soon be forgotten by Wyoming fans.
“It’s been a blast,” Nance said. “I can’t put into words how important this has been to me and how much fun.”
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
