Barbara J. Perenic/Associated Press

Wyoming's Brandon Ewing shoots over TCU's Neil Dougherty. Ewing leads the Mountain West Conference in scoring at 20.4 points per game.

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Brandon Ewing remembers the bruises, the smack talk, the grittiness.

He remembers the scratching, the knocks to the ground, the rough fouls.

Welcome to inner-city Chicago street ball, where respect means everything.

This is where Kevin Garnett once dominated as a high-schooler.

But Ewing created his own memories as a Chicago teenager growing up, slashing and scoring and dishing with some of the best in the outdoor courts close to his Julian High School.

Those moments affirmed what the Wyoming guard envisioned doing today - putting the same moves on display as the top scorer in a college basketball conference.

"Those times let me know I belonged," said Ewing, whose Cowboys (13-8, 4-3 in Mountain West Conference) face the University of New Mexico tonight in The Pit. "I played against guys who could be in the NBA one day, and I was always able to hold my own. That was reassuring."

Ewing isn't just holding his own these days. He's changing the landscape of Wyoming basketball, which struggled through a 12-17 season in 2005-06 but is experiencing a resurgence at 13-8.

Arguably the most valuable offensive player in the Mountain West Conference, Ewing's average of 20.4 points per game has the Cowboys relishing in his skills.

And his intangibles.

"He just has a great love for the game," coach Steve McClain said. "There are a lot of talented players, but not many love the game as much as Brandon. He doesn't change from one day to the next. There's a consistency about him that allows him to be a good player."

Ewing's all-state status in Illinois helped him garner attention from schools like DePaul, Illinois, Louisville and Marquette.

McClain won over the 6-foot-2 guard partly because of his success with Chicago-based players Jay Straight and Justin Williams.

Another reason was the instant responsibility that Ewing would be expected to shoulder.

McClain said he was looking for the "point guard who could be the future of the program" when he recruited Ewing. That's what he's found.

It didn't take long for Ewing to adapt to a leadership role. Ewing guided the Cowboys to last year's conference tournament championship game. He averaged 13.2 points per game as a freshman, good enough for ninth in the nine-team league.

"Ever since last season I've wanted to be a leader on this team," Ewing said. "I think I've learned that over time, especially with struggling a little bit last season. That taught me to play tougher."

If "tougher" means physical, Ewing doesn't mind that either. The sophomore has taken 166 free throws at an 82-percent success rate. Lobos guard J.R. Giddens, meanwhile, has taken 76 free throws this season at a 65-percent clip.

Ewing and backcourt mate Brad Jones (16.5 points per game) comprise 52 percent of Wyoming's offense this season.

"Has anyone stopped those two this year?" UNM coach Ritchie McKay said. "You have to pick your poison with them."

If Ewing has it his way, backcourt poison will turn into prominence.

"I envision big things for this program," Ewing said in October. "I want to take us there."

Encouragement: If anyone understands the criticism McKay is taking these days, it's Colorado State's Dale Layer.

For one, Layer felt the heat last season when the Rams went 16-15. CSU has since seen a resurgence this season with a 14-5 record.

Layer also has a close relationship with McKay that stems from McKay's days as an assistant to Layer at Queens College from 1989-90.

Layer said he talks once or twice a week with his "close friend," sometimes discussing the pressures of coaching college basketball.

"I think we can all relate," Layer said. "It's part of the job. Last time I checked, there wasn't anybody undefeated."

McKay again addressed his coaching status after media members asked him about it on the MWC weekly teleconference.

McKay said he hasn't addressed the issue to his team.

"It's the first time I've ever been in the midst of speculation, and it's a bit exhausting to answer so many questions," McKay said. "I don't control the outcome. Having the personality I have, I live in the day. I'm focused on making sure our basketball team is prepared for each game."

McClain said the Lobos have something to build on - a strong performance against UNLV in a 76-72 overtime loss.

"I have a feeling New Mexico kids are going to feel better about themselves and feel better about the game," McClain said.