The University of Wyoming men’s basketball team has been picked to finish second in the Mountain West, as the conference announced its 2022-23 preseason media poll. Forward Graham Ike was named the Preseason Player of the Year along with Preseason All-MW honors alongside guard Hunter Maldonado.

The poll marked the first time the Cowboys have ranked in the top two of the Preseason Poll since the 2002-03 and 2001-02 seasons. The Cowboys received four first-place votes and 204 total points — coming behind only San Diego State.

Ike is the first Cowboy to earn Preseason Player of the Year honors since Larry Nance Jr. did so in 2014-15. He along with Maldonado earned spots on the Preseason All-MW team being the only teammates on the squad.

The Aurora, Colorado, native Ike was a First Team All-MW selection by the media and Second Team by the coaches. He ranked second in the MW and No. 30 in the nation in points per game with 19.5. He ranked second in the MW and No. 21 in the nation in rebounding at 9.6 per night. 

He scored in double-figures in all but one game during the season. He scored 25 or more points in a game nine times during the season including 4-of-5 games during the opening stretch of conference play. He is one of only two returning players in the NCAA to average over 19 points and nine rebounds per game.

Maldonado, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a First Team All-Mountain West selection averaging 18.5 points per game to go along with 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per night. He became Wyoming’s all-time leader in assists in the closing games of last season, as he ranked No. 5 in the nation in helpers. Maldonado is one of two returning players in the nation to average over 18 points per game and six assists.

Single game non-conference tickets are on sale now and feature exciting matchups including Grand Canyon University and Louisiana Tech for the Cowboys.

San Diego State was picked to win the league with 16 first-place votes and 216 points. The Cowboys were picked second followed by Boise State (166 points), Colorado State (156 points) and New Mexico (136) in the top five.

UNLV was picked sixth followed by Fresno State, Utah State, Nevada and Air Force.

The preseason All-MW team included Ike and Maldonado along with Isaiah Stevens of Colorado State, Jamal Mashburn, Jr. of New Mexico and Matt Bradley of San Diego State.

San Diego State’s Darrion Trammel was named the Preseason Newcomer of the Year and Joseph Hunter of Fresno State was named the Preseason Freshman of the Year.

The Cowboys received 25 votes in The Associated Press Preseason Poll, after being ranked as high as No. 22 last season.

San Diego State was the only MW team ranked, coming in at No. 19.

Wyoming opens up its regular season with a home game against Colorado Christian on Nov. 7.

MOUNTAIN WEST PREDICTED FINISH

First place votes in ()

1. San Diego State (16); 2. Wyoming (4); 3. Boise State; 4. Colorado State; 5. New Mexico; 6. UNLV; 7. Fresno State; 8. Utah State; 9. Nevada; 10. San Jose State; 11. Air Force

PRESEASON ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST TEAM

Colorado State senior guard Isaiah Stevens; New Mexico junior guard Jamal Mashburn Jr.; San Diego State senior guard Matt Bradley; Wyoming senior guard Hunter Maldonado; Wyoming junior forward Graham Ike

PRESEASON HONORS

Player of the year: Graham Ike, Wyoming

Newcomer of the year: Darrion Trammell, San Diego State

Freshman of the year: Joseph Hunter, Fresno State