By Tracy Ringolsby, WelcomeTo7220.com
Jeff Linder arrived in Laramie prior to the 2020-21 basketball season, making it clear from the start that he saw potential for the Cowboys to regain respect on the hardwoods.
As the Cowboys head into the final portion of Linder’s second season in charge, a major step in that riection was taken on Monday. While the preseason experts picked the Cowboys to finish eighth in the 11-geam Mountain West, the Cowboys are currently sitting in first place with a 21-3 overall record and 10-1 in the Mountain West Conference.
And people are starting to pay attention.
“That’s the plan,” said Linder. “
Wyoming is ranked No. 22 in this week’s Associated Press and Coaches rankings. It’s the first time since the Cowboys were ranked 25th during the 2014-15 season with head coach Larry Shyatt that they have been listed in the polls.
“The job is far from finished but we are very grateful to all the people working together to make this happen,” Linder posted on twitter. “It takes incredible assistants, strength coach, trainer, support staff, managers, administrators, students, fans and these special players to get to this point”
It is the highest ranking overall for the Cowboys since they were ranked 10th in the preseason poll in 1987-88, climbing as high as fifth before ending the season No. 13 under the guidance of Benny Dees.
It marks the 11th season in which the Cowboys have earned a ranking, having been recognized in the rankings during the regular season 11 times, in the preseason once (1987-88) and at season’s end three times.
