The Wyoming Cowboys are set to face off against the Grand Canyon Antelopes in a crucial non-conference matchup, with Grand Canyon looking to build on their 17-9 record and Wyoming seeking to bolster their 14-12 resume, and over their last five games, Grand Canyon has been averaging 78 points per game, outscoring their opponents by 8.2 points on average, a trend they want to continue against Wyoming, who have been averaging 74.8 points per game over the same stretch, but have been outscored by 0.2 points per game, indicating a potential vulnerability that Grand Canyon can exploit, particularly given Wyoming's recent 2-3 record, which includes a 92-82 win over Fresno State, but also losses to Colorado State, Utah State, and San Diego State, teams that have all had success against Wyoming's defense, which has allowed 75 points per game over their last five outings.
Wyoming, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency, with their recent form marked by a mix of impressive wins and disappointing losses, including a 68-57 win over Colorado State, but also a 63-72 loss to San Diego State, and they must find a way to slow down Grand Canyon's offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, with the Antelopes scoring 94 points in a win over San José State, and 81 points in a win over Air Force, and they have been led by their high-powered offense, which has been averaging 78 points per game over their last five outings, a number that Wyoming will struggle to keep up with, given their own defensive struggles, which have seen them allow 75 points per game over their last five games, a number that Grand Canyon want to exploit, particularly given their own recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by 8.2 points per game, a margin that could prove decisive in this matchup.
Grand Canyon's Recent Scoring Surge
Key Matchups
One player to watch in this matchup will be Grand Canyon's leading scorer, who has been on a tear of late, averaging 22 points per game over his last five outings, and he want to continue that form against Wyoming, who have struggled to defend against high-scoring opponents, and he will be matched up against Wyoming's best defender, who has been averaging 2.5 steals per game over his last five outings, and this matchup matters in determining the outcome of the game, as Grand Canyon's offense has been reliant on their leading scorer, who has scored 30 or more points in three of their last five games, including a 32-point outing in a win over San José State, and Wyoming must find a way to slow him down if they are to have any chance of winning, particularly given their own recent struggles on offense, which have seen them score 70 or fewer points in two of their last five games, including a 63-72 loss to San Diego State.
As the game approaches, Grand Canyon want to build on their recent form, which has seen them win three of their last five games, including a 73-63 win over San Diego State, and a 94-79 win over San José State, and they will be confident of their chances against Wyoming, who have struggled to find consistency, and have lost three of their last five games, including a 68-79 loss to Colorado State, and a 63-72 loss to San Diego State, and Grand Canyon want to exploit Wyoming's defensive vulnerabilities, which have seen them allow 75 points per game over their last five outings, a number that Grand Canyon want to take advantage of, particularly given their own recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by 8.2 points per game, a margin that could prove decisive in this matchup, and with Grand Canyon averaging 78 points per game over their last five outings, they want to continue that form against Wyoming, who have struggled to keep up with high-scoring opponents.
CHD Scout Prediction
Wyoming
70
Grand Canyon
78
The CHD Scout prediction has Grand Canyon winning by 7.9 points, with a 75.1% win probability, and this is due in large part to Grand Canyon's recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by 8.2 points per game, a margin that Wyoming will struggle to keep up with, particularly given their own defensive struggles, which have seen them allow 75 points per game over their last five outings, and Grand Canyon's offense, which has been averaging 78 points per game over their last five games, want to take advantage of Wyoming's vulnerabilities, and with Grand Canyon's leading scorer averaging 22 points per game over his last five outings, they will be confident of their chances of winning, particularly given Wyoming's recent struggles on offense, which have seen them score 70 or fewer points in two of their last five games, and Grand Canyon's defense, which has been allowing just 69.8 points per game over their last five outings, want to shut down Wyoming's offense and secure the win.
As the game approaches, Wyoming want to find a way to slow down Grand Canyon's offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, and they must find a way to defend against Grand Canyon's leading scorer, who has been on a tear of late, averaging 22 points per game over his last five outings, and they will also need to find a way to overcome their own recent struggles on offense, which have seen them score 70 or fewer points in two of their last five games, and with Grand Canyon's defense allowing just 69.8 points per game over their last five outings, Wyoming must find a way to break through and score consistently if they are to have any chance of winning, particularly given Grand Canyon's recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by 8.2 points per game, a margin that could prove decisive in this matchup, and Wyoming must find a way to overcome this deficit if they are to emerge victorious, and with the game being played at Grand Canyon's home arena, the crowd will be firmly behind the Antelopes, which could give them an added boost, and Wyoming must find a way to overcome this and secure the win.
Tournament Stakes
A win for Grand Canyon would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as it would give them a quality win over a Wyoming team that is still in the hunt for a tournament spot, and it would also give them a 18-9 record, which would put them firmly in the mix for a tournament bid, and they would be able to point to their recent form, which has seen them win three of their last five games, as evidence of their strength, and a loss for Wyoming would be a significant blow to their tournament hopes, as it would give them a 14-13 record, and they would be running out of time to make a push for a tournament spot, and they would need to find a way to regroup and refocus if they are to have any chance of making a late-season surge, and with the tournament stakes high, both teams will be giving it their all in this matchup, and the winner will be the team that can best capitalize on the other's weaknesses, and Grand Canyon's recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by 8.2 points per game, suggests that they may have the upper hand in this matchup, and Wyoming must find a way to overcome this and secure the win if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.