10/27/2026 3:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Pokes Insider
Sundance Wicks challenges Wyoming after lackluster exhibition finale
LARAMIE – The Cowboys had a sleepy performance during their final exhibition game Saturday at the Arena-Auditorium.
Sundance Wicks smashed the snooze button after Wyoming's 76-61 victory over NAIA power College of Idaho.
UW's third-year head coach was asked if there was anything he was pleased with.
"Absolutely not," Wicks said. "The scheme doesn't matter if you're not tough. Taking care of the basketball doesn't matter if you're not tough. None of it matters if you're not tough. We're supposed to be a gritty team. We're the furthest thing from gritty. We got punched in the face, knocked on our butts multiple times, outrebounded on the offensive boards. Their players were able to get the looks that they needed to get. …
"Our culture is nowhere where it needs to be right now."
Fans can look ahead to the regular season, which begins when the Pokes host Regis next Tuesday.
Wicks and his staff have continued to preach their mantra, "Just because doesn't mean," during practices this week.
Just because the team returns four talented players from last year's 18-win campaign doesn't mean UW will contend for the Mountain West championship.
The Cowboys need to execute and play with enthusiasm regardless of the opponent.
"I'm supposed to be a guy who can get guys to rally and to believe, but at some point, too, as young men that are now working professionals in a business, they have to take some accountability and ownership of who they're going to be and how they're going to show up," Wicks continued. "I told them I'm not going to be nice in the media. I'm not happy. There's no way I can be happy right now. There's absolutely no way. I thought we got beaten in every facet of the game outside of turnovers."
UW held a 16-2 advantage in transition points and shot 51% from the field while holding the Yotes to 38.6%.
"We've shot over 50% in the first three exhibition games. I am not worried about whether or not we can score the ball efficiently," Wicks said. "I'm worried about whether these yellow labs could actually latch on and be a pit bull at some point and bring a fight to somebody else."
The Cowboys struggled at the free-throw line and made just six 3-pointers while allowing College of Idaho to make eight shots from beyond the arc.
Gavin Gores was aggressive around the rim, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. His production helped the Brown & Gold pull away down the stretch after the score was tied at 40-40 in the second half.
"He's been unguardable in practice. I've seen this, I've seen this stuff," Wicks said of the 6-foot-10 sophomore. "He's our most impactful guy right now."
Wicks has challenged Nasir (Naz) Meyer, a preseason all-MW selection, to raise his level of intensity.
Khaden Bennett, Parker Gerrits and Mike Mora also were in the starting lineup. Uriyah Rojas, Renars Sondors and Madden Smiley were the team's most productive player off the bench in the final tuneup.
The Cowboys have a week to wake up and play to Wicks' standard.
"I'll fix it," Wicks said. "We say when you make a mistake, just fix it. I'll fix it."
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
Sundance Wicks smashed the snooze button after Wyoming's 76-61 victory over NAIA power College of Idaho.
UW's third-year head coach was asked if there was anything he was pleased with.
"Absolutely not," Wicks said. "The scheme doesn't matter if you're not tough. Taking care of the basketball doesn't matter if you're not tough. None of it matters if you're not tough. We're supposed to be a gritty team. We're the furthest thing from gritty. We got punched in the face, knocked on our butts multiple times, outrebounded on the offensive boards. Their players were able to get the looks that they needed to get. …
"Our culture is nowhere where it needs to be right now."
Fans can look ahead to the regular season, which begins when the Pokes host Regis next Tuesday.
Wicks and his staff have continued to preach their mantra, "Just because doesn't mean," during practices this week.
Just because the team returns four talented players from last year's 18-win campaign doesn't mean UW will contend for the Mountain West championship.
The Cowboys need to execute and play with enthusiasm regardless of the opponent.
"I'm supposed to be a guy who can get guys to rally and to believe, but at some point, too, as young men that are now working professionals in a business, they have to take some accountability and ownership of who they're going to be and how they're going to show up," Wicks continued. "I told them I'm not going to be nice in the media. I'm not happy. There's no way I can be happy right now. There's absolutely no way. I thought we got beaten in every facet of the game outside of turnovers."
UW held a 16-2 advantage in transition points and shot 51% from the field while holding the Yotes to 38.6%.
"We've shot over 50% in the first three exhibition games. I am not worried about whether or not we can score the ball efficiently," Wicks said. "I'm worried about whether these yellow labs could actually latch on and be a pit bull at some point and bring a fight to somebody else."
The Cowboys struggled at the free-throw line and made just six 3-pointers while allowing College of Idaho to make eight shots from beyond the arc.
Gavin Gores was aggressive around the rim, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. His production helped the Brown & Gold pull away down the stretch after the score was tied at 40-40 in the second half.
"He's been unguardable in practice. I've seen this, I've seen this stuff," Wicks said of the 6-foot-10 sophomore. "He's our most impactful guy right now."
Wicks has challenged Nasir (Naz) Meyer, a preseason all-MW selection, to raise his level of intensity.
Khaden Bennett, Parker Gerrits and Mike Mora also were in the starting lineup. Uriyah Rojas, Renars Sondors and Madden Smiley were the team's most productive player off the bench in the final tuneup.
The Cowboys have a week to wake up and play to Wicks' standard.
"I'll fix it," Wicks said. "We say when you make a mistake, just fix it. I'll fix it."
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballThursday, April 09
Tuesday, March 03
Saturday, February 28
Saturday, February 21
