Wyoming poses a defensive test

There are two ways to look at the Wyoming team that visits Pauley Pavilion tonight.

The Cowboys have four starters averaging in double figures and are scoring more than 84 points per game.

“They’re scoring a whole lot of points,” UCLA forward James Keefe said. “Any team that can average that many points is going to be hard to stop.”

But Wyoming’s 9-1 record includes relatively close victories over Prairie View A&M; and Loyola Marymount, teams that the 13th-ranked Bruins easily outdistanced. So while UCLA Coach Ben Howland talks about a tough matchup, his counterpart strikes a different chord.

“Obviously, we have to play very well to be able to compete in this game,” Coach Heath Schroyer said. “This will be a great experience for us, and we’re going down there with the goal of playing well. I’m sure there will be some nerves.”

Forward Afam Muojeke leads the Cowboys with 18.6 points per game and is averaging 4.6 rebounds. Guards Brandon Ewing and Sean Ogirri are contributing 17.5 and 15.6 points per game, respectively.

On defense, Howland said he expects Wyoming to play a mix of zone and man-to-man defenses. The Cowboys are holding opponents to 37% shooting, which has also led to some fastbreak opportunities.

“We just need to slow them down,” UCLA swingman Michael Roll said. “They definitely have the talent to be able to take shots.”

Not yet

Forward Josh Shipp was listed as doubtful, expected to sit out a second consecutive game because of a sprained ligament in his left thumb.

The senior did not practice with the team Monday but was able to shoot, and Howland expects him back for the start of the Pacific 10 Conference schedule Jan. 2.

Roll will start in his place against Wyoming, Howland said.

Freshman guard Malcolm Lee injured an ankle Monday but was expected to play.

Matter of time

Forward Nikola Dragovic, who made only one of seven shots from the field against Mercer on Saturday night, is shooting 16% from three-point range this season.

That’s down from almost 24% last season.

Dragovic has talked about feeling hesitant, passing up open shots. Coaches want him to crouch lower when he receives passes, so he gets his legs into the shot.

Beyond that, Howland doesn’t want to make a big deal of Dragovic’s low percentage.

“When everybody starts talking about it, and it’s the same question, it becomes too much thinking about it rather than following your routine,” Howland said. “I think he’ll be OK.”

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david.wharton@latimes.com