When the Cowboys hit the floor on Saturday it will mark the 50th game the Pokes have played under head coach Allen Edwards. It has been an impressive ride that has included a College Basketball Invitational Championship and the Cowboys winning 89 percent of their home games in the Arena-Auditorium.

"It has flown by when you think about it," Edwards said. "My first season just flew by so quickly and even the turnaround and how quickly year two came. I think as a basketball family we have been very busy and time really goes by quickly."

Edwards became the seventh head coach in NCAA Division I history to win a postseason championship in his first season as a head coach. The wins racked up for Edwards, as his 23 wins last season were third amongst first year head coaches in college basketball.

"It was tremendous opportunity to play in the postseason," Edwards said. "I told our guys how important it was for the whole team to play in a postseason tournament. But it was just as important for me and the staff to coach in the postseason. The only way to gain experience is to gain experience. Having that opportunity has really prepared myself as a coach to prepare our team."

The Pokes have picked up right where they left off a season ago. Wyoming enters Saturday's contest with an 8-3 record. But what might be even more impressive is that the Pokes have an RPI in the top-50 with what has been a demanding non-conference schedule.

"I want to compete for championships and I want to compete with the mindset and work ethic that has brought us success," Edwards said. "Our players have really bought in to the mindset and work ethic us as a staff have developed. I was excited for what we were able to do last year, but the competitor in me wants to do more."

The confidence and comfortability level that Edwards maintains along with the staff and players can be seen on the court with each passing game.

 "I think the biggest change I have seen in my coaching is just becoming more comfortable above anything," Edwards said. "I feel more confident in my coaching and the preparations to play an opponent. I feel the main thing is that I'm still the same person who has been coaching."

Edwards experienced quite the moment during the South Carolina game on Dec. 6. He matched up against one of his mentors and former coach Frank Martin. But that wasn't it, his brother Doug is also on the staff at South Carolina. To make it an even better moment Edwards was surrounded by family and friends during the contest.

"I didn't really let it sink in during the game," Edwards said. "I'm not sure if I ever looked down and looked at the home bench. What was surreal was before the game was an opportunity to take a picture with my brothers and coach Martin. After we got back to Laramie, coach Martin sent me a picture and I looked at it and made it surreal thinking back from my upbringing. For us to get where we are at in this stage of our coaching career was very cool and surreal."

Edwards and the Cowboys will look to take the next step and develop even more with the start of conference play against San Diego State on Dec. 27.