Wyoming is Off to Best Start in School History

 Wyoming is off to their best start in school history, but are now without Luke Martinez due to a broken finger. (US Presswire)

Wyoming unexpectedly began the season 12-0. Needing only one win to set the record for the best start in school history, they were dealt a huge blow when they found out one of their best players, Luke Martinez, broke his hand in an off-campus incident and is out indefinitely.

Martinez had been averaging 14.5 points, three rebounds and two steals per game. He also leads the team with 35 three pointers made, while shooting 42.2 percent from three and 86.1 percent from the free throw line. The fifth-year senior is Wyoming's leader on both sides of the ball.

Wyoming knew they would be in for a challenge as their first game was on the road against a talented SMU team. They needed someone to step up and senior forward Leonard Washington did. He stole the ball from the Mustangs' Nick Russell and dunked it on the other end to put the Cowboys up by three with 16 seconds left. Washington finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Wyoming found a way to stay unbeaten and are off to the best start in school history. If you look at their numbers and resume this season, it should come as no surprise. This is a talented team and their undefeated start is no fluke. On December 1, the Cowboys beat a ranked Colorado team by seven, and they won at Illinois State later that week.

Wyoming has solid depth throughout its lineup  The aforementioned Washington and sophomore Larry Nance Jr. are the team's leaders in the post. The latter is averaging 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on the season. The Cowboys' rotation of talented guards will help to lessen the impact the absence of Martinez. Derrious Gilmore, Josh Adams and Riley Grabau are among the guards who will need to step up in his place.

Wyoming's success is also linked to the efficiency of their offense. They are shooting 57.7 percent on two-point attempts this season, which is second in the country to only NC State. The challenge for the Cowboys will be to keeping this up without Martinez. His three-point shooting ability is one of the major things that allows them to stretch the opposition's defense.

Wyoming is off to a record-setting start to the season. They will need continued balance on offense and defense as they wait for Martinez to return. The Cowboys will look to keep their undefeated season going next week as they host Boise State on Wednesday and travel to Reno to take on Nevada on Saturday night.