Wyoming Has Dominated The Border War Basketball Rivalry With CSU
This weekend, Wyoming and Colorado State will renew their Border War rivalry on the basketball court for the 230th time. Since their first meeting in 1911, the Pokes lead the all-time series 134 to 95.
Here's a look back at five of Wyoming's best Border War victories.
1. Feb. 14, 1987 - Widely considered the greatest game in Border War history, Wyoming trailed in final seconds of overtime before Reggie Fox hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to force the game into double overtime. Trailing again, Turk Boyd scored another buzzing-beating three to send the game to triple overtime. The Pokes eventually outlasted the Rams, winning 81-78. Later that season, Wyoming made it all the way to the Sweet 16.
2. March 11, 1988 - Ranked #14 headed into the WAC Tournament semifinals, Wyoming was out to avenge an upset loss to CSU earlier in the season. With two seconds left in a tie game, Eric Leckner sank a buzzer beater to give the Cowboys a 60-58 win. Wyoming went on to win the WAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
3. Feb. 27, 1982 - After blowing out the Rams earlier in the season, Wyoming faced a tougher test on the road in Fort Collins. Jim Brandenburg's squad hung on for a hard-fought 63-57 victory, clinching their second consecutive WAC Championship. Like they had the season before, the Cowboys advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to top-seeded Georgetown.
4. Jan. 7, 2015 - After Wyoming star forward Larry Nance, Jr. injured his knee in the second half, Colorado State erased a 13-point deficit to tie the game in the final minutes. With 20 seconds left, Jason McManamen silenced the Moby Arena crowd, draining a clutch three-pointer and propelling the Pokes to a 60-54 victory. Wyoming swept the season series on their way to the Mountain West Conference Championship and the NCAA Tournament.
5. The 1943 Season - Wyoming and CSU played four times during 1943, with the Cowboys winning all four meetings by an average of 24 points. Led by All-American Kenny Sailors, the Pokes went on to win the National Championship. The '40s were the most lopsided era in the rivalry. During the decade, Wyoming beat Colorado State 30 consecutive times.