Herndon's energy lifts Cowboys in recent games

LARAMIE – Larry Shyatt said he hasn't noticed a big change.

However, the University of Wyoming men's basketball coach has liked the energy level on the offensive and defensive glass the last three games from sophomore forward Alan Herndon.

The result: Six points and seven rebounds in UW's 83-82 loss against Montana State in Billings, Montana on Nov. 22. Then, a career-high 16 points, to go along with four rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots in a 68-64 home win over Cal State-Bakersfield last Wednesday.

Herndon followed that up with six points and a career-best 12 rebounds in an 82-68 home victory over Montana State last Saturday.

"I think just talking to (Shyatt), and knowing he's always going to be on me because he expects a lot from me," Herndon said of his play the last two games.

"I think something just happened in my mind that I have to keep doing this and keep trying to impress him. The last couple of games have been good to me, and I have to make sure to keep it up."

Herndon will try and do that at 7 tonight when UW (4-2) plays at Denver (5-1).

Herndon's averaging 7.8 points per game, which is third on the team.

His five rebounds per contest and seven blocked shots this season are team-bests.

Over the last three games, Herndon has averaged 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest.

Not eye-popping numbers from the 6-foot-9 forward, but like most UW players Herndon is getting used to a different role on a new UW team.

The Cowboys don't have the inside presence it had the previous two seasons with forwards Larry Nance Jr. and Derek Cooke Jr.

Herndon has the height, but he is between 200 and 210 pounds, and his game early in his career has been more perimeter oriented.

Being thin is something Herndon can't do anything about right now, although he did add some bulk in the offseason.

Shyatt said there are ways to counter that, and he's been seeing it recently from his most experienced big man.

"You do that with energy, enthusiasm and positioning, and we need that," Shyatt said.

Shyatt hasn't seen a change in Herdon's confidence over the last couple of games, but Herndon has.

"It's gotten a little higher," he said. "When you see how hard you've been working actually show on the court, it starts to rise.

"You start to ask yourself 'why wasn't I doing this the whole time?' "

About Denver

The Pioneers have won three straight home games and five in a row overall. They also own a six-game home winning streak over the Cowboys. The last time UW won at Denver was Nov. 26, 2001.

Coach Joe Scott's squad averages nearly 70 points per game, shoots 50 percent from the field and has made 56 3-pointers. But that's not what concerns Shyatt the most.

"What is always underrated is the tenacity they play on defense," he said. "They're doing well offensively, but it's tough to score on them and get the shots you want."

Denver's held opponents to 60 points per game on 38.7 shooting, including 31.7 percent from 3-point range.

"The best shots we can get, and we've been getting, is when we get stops on the other end and maybe get some opportunities in the open court. But they're focused on not giving up transition points. We've opened door on offense a little bit this year and relied on getting open-court opportunities the first seven or eight seconds (on the shot clock).

"If they close the door and make it very difficult, I don't care who yare are, you're going to have to work to get some good looks."

Gold rush

UW is promoting Saturday's home game with California as a "Gold Rush."

The first 2,000 students will receive a free T-shirt, and fans are encouraged to wear their game day gold colors to the game.

Tip-off is at 1 p.m. at the Arena-Auditorium.