Open season 2–0
Photo by Rylee Lingenfelter
The biggest question to begin this season for Coach Sundance Wicks’ team was their ability to rebound.
In their last exhibition game against the College of Idaho, they only grabbed one more board than their opponent.
“If you have a heart the size of a Grinch, you can get a rebound. Trust me,” Coach Wicks said following last Tuesday’s season opening victory over the Regis University Rangers. “And you don’t need Cindy freaking Lou to come up and tell you.”
The Cowboys found that heart, and out-rebounded Regis by 18 en route to a 95-48 victory on a Tuesday night in the Arena-Auditorium.
It was a full team effort to cruise to the 47-point victory. The Pokes were led by Khaden Bennett with 15 points. They had six players in double figures, and 11 players got on the scoreboard.
“I think we are going to be a team that wins as a team, loses as a team,” Wicks said. “Everybody says that, but like for us, I really believe we got to be a four or five guys in double figures every night type of team.”
The Pokes moved the ball well, with 19 assists on 32 made field goals. The unselfishness opens up many opportunities, including 23 fast break points.
They really stepped it up defensively as well. The Cowboys forced 19 turnovers, and held the Rangers to 38% shooting, and 23.8% from behind the Arc.
The victory continues the Pokes tradition of starting seasons off well. They have now won 21 of the last 23 season-opening games.
The momentum carried into a Friday night showdown with the Idaho State Bengals in Laramie. The Cowboys ran away with a 93-62 win to improve to 2-0.
Sophomore Guard Naz Meyer opened the game by scoring four points in the first 40 seconds. He was inspired to get things going for his squad in the win.
“I was watching Duke play… and I just saw the aggressive energy they had on both ends of the floor. No matter how good the player was, they just were going, and I think that kind of fueled me today to try to lead this team in that way and have good energy,” Meyer said.
Meyer finished with 18 points and nine rebounds on an efficient 60% shooting from the field.
Twelve Cowboys got on the scoreboard Friday night. Since it’s early in the season, Wicks is still trying to get a good grasp on the most efficient lineups to use with his team.
“I’m trying to get a consistent flow of lineups that have enough pop and power to them without just completely debilitating the starters,” Wicks said.
All five starters were well on the plus side of the plus/minus stat that measures the net point differential when a player is on the floor. The Bench only saw three players in that plus side.
The Cowboys found their toughness and heart on the defense again, out rebounding the Bengals 50-27 and holding them to 31% on field goals.
Up next is a date on the road with North Carolina, one of the premier “Blue Blood” programs in college basketball. The Cowboys are eager for the opportunity to prove themselves.
“It’s a cool opportunity for sure, but I mean we’re going there to win,” Meyer said. “We’re not looking at it like it’s North Carolina. We don’t care. We’re going there to win.”
Wyoming is 2-0 on the season. They visit North Carolina Tuesday, Nov. 10th at 5 p.m. M.T.
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