Cowboys to host Northeastern in CBI

by Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

The Wyoming Cowboys are postseason bound, as they will be among 16 teams competing in the second College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Wyoming hosts Northeastern University (Boston) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The CBI invite is the first postseason tournament bid for the Cowboys in six seasons. The most recent postseason appearance by the Pokes came in the 2002-03 season when UW appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

“I think this is a tribute to the student-athletes and coaches that they have been able to turn our program in a positive direction in such a short amount of time,” said UW Athletics Director Tom Burman in a release Sunday night. “I know our fans remember the excitement generated by the Cowgirl basketball program in their run to the WNIT Championship two years ago, and I hope our fans are looking forward to coming out Tuesday night to support the Cowboys in their first home game of the CBI.”

In just his second year at the helm, Wyoming coach Heath Schroyer said that it is hard to put into words what this means to the players and coaches to earn a postseason bid. The Cowboys are 19-13 this season, after finishing 12-18 in Schroyer's first campaign.

“This is a big step in the development of our program," Schroyer said. "Our kids have worked extremely hard and we are really, really excited to have this opportunity. Only about a third of the over 300 NCAA Division I programs get a chance to play in the postseason each year, so this is special.

“The fans have been so supportive of us this season. I hope they will come out to recognize our kids for their hard work, help us try to get our 20th win of the season and take another step in this tournament.”

Northeastern finished 18-12 this season and was 12-6 and tied for third in the Colonial Athletic Association this season with Old Dominion. The CAA was won by Virginia Commonwealth (VCU), with George Mason finishing in second place.

Ticket prices for Tuesday night’s game are $18 for adult tickets in the lower level, $15 for adult tickets in the upper level and $6 for youth and student tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Monday at 8 a.m. through the University of Wyoming Athletics Ticket Office and online at www.WyomingAthletics.com. Ticket office phone numbers are: (800) 922-9461 and (307) 766-4850.

Season-ticket holders can reserve the same seats they had during the regular season by calling the ticket office prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Wyoming becomes the second Mountain West Conference team to participate in the CBI. Utah played in the inaugural CBI last season and defeated UTEP 81-69 in the first round, before losing at Tulsa 69-60. Tulsa went on to defeat Bradley in the unique best of three championship series that was introduced by the CBI in 2008 and will continue again this year.

The College Basketball Invitational is a single-elimination tournament, up until the best of three championship series, with all games being played at campus sites. Prior to the semifinals, the remaining teams will be re-seeded. The championship series is a best of three (home-away-home) in which the higher seeded team will host the first and last (if necessary) home games.
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South Regional
Tuesday's Games
7 p.m. -- Northeastern (18-12) vs. Wyoming (19-13)
9 p.m. -- UTEP (19-12) vs. Nevada (21-12)
East Regional
Wednesday's Games
5 p.m. -- St. John's (16-17) vs. Richmond (18-15)
6 p.m. -- Charleston (26-8) vs. Troy (19-12)
West Regional
Wednesday's Games
6 p.m. -- Vermont (23-8) vs. Green Bay (22-10)
8 p.m. -- Houston (21-11) vs. Oregon St. (13-17)
Midwest Regional
Wednesday's Games
6 p.m. -- Buffalo (21-11) vs. Wichita St. (16-16)
8 p.m. -- Boise State (19-12) vs. Stanford (18-13)